“I’m rhesus negative. Let’s get on with it.” I say a silent prayer to my mother, who was also the universal blood type. I feel a warmth shining on me as the sun filters through the window, as if she’s here telling me everything will be all right.
“It’s not that simple. We need to make sure yours is healthy enough to regenerate. There’s extensive testing. It will take time.”
“She doesn’t have time.” I take off my jacket and hand it to Elio, his gun in the pocket. “If anything happens to me, everything on that USB will be sent to my Italian Intelligence contact at the AISI. Don’t think I haven’t got insurance.”
I crouch in front of Angelos, cupping his pale face. "Whatever happens, I’ll take care of you. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure your mum comes back to you in one piece."
His arms fling around my neck, tight and desperate. "I’m sorry," he chokes out.
I squeeze him back. A breath leaves my lungs, as if releasing all the tension of the past twenty-four hours. “This is not your fault. Do you hear me? Not one bit. I don’t want you blaming yourself for this. It was an accident.”
“I’m scared.” His lip quivers as I hold him at arm’s length, squeezing his shoulders.
“Me too, but we’re going to get through this.” I rise and pull my phone from my trouser pocket. “Your uncle Dom will come over and take care of you.”
Elio pulls Angelos back to him. “He already has a family to take care of him.”
I glare at Elio. “You couldn't even take care of a stray dog.” I spit the words out. “Let alone those you claim to love. Your property has so many weak spots it's beyond a joke.”
“You’re the only person who’s ever broken in.”
“Yeah, and it was a piece of piss, just like it was the last time I paid you a visit.”
“Gentlemen.” The doctor gives us both a stern look. “Shall we get on with it?”
I give the family one last pained look before I follow the doctor for tests and tap Dom’s name on my phone.
“What’s up?”
“I’m gonna need you to fly to Rome. I need you here, brother.”
38
DAN
“What’s he doing here?” Elio spits, pacing the driveway of his home while on the phone to fuck knows who. His jaw ticks, and his hands clench at his sides as though he’s seconds away from throwing a punch.
I roll the sleeves of my shirt up to my elbows, the Mediterranean heat wrapping around me like a thick blanket, almost smothering. “He’s going to take care of things while I’m in the hospital.”
Dom lifts his case from the back of the taxi with a smirk on his face.
“Over my dead body!” Elio shouts.
Dom side-eyes me and mutters under his breath, “That can be arranged.”
“Be nice.” I grit the words between my teeth, my patience already wearing thin.
Elio throws his hands up in the air. “You moving your whole family into my home?”
“Nope. Just my brother. We’ll gladly stay at a hotel, but Angelos is coming with us. I’ve been cleared as a match. Now I’m just waiting for the call to go under the knife. And I don’t trust you to keep him safe in this house while I’m in the hospital. Especially with Magnus on theloose.” I point to the security camera at the front of the building, showing Dom the shitty gear he has. “That one needs replacing—it doesn’t pick up anyone who crosses the lawn. I want a wider angle camera installed here.”
Dom follows me into the house as I brush past Elio, ignoring the way he tenses at the contact. “Where’s Angelos?”
“In here.” The voice is warm, familiar, but aged with time. Rose’s mother sits in her wheelchair by the kitchen window, the sunlight casting deep shadows across her face. “I’ve just called the hospital. There’s been no change since last night and they’re keeping her in an induced coma for now.”
I nod, desperate to get back to the hospital to sit with her.
Lucia’s expression softens when she sees Dom enter the room. “Dominic? I haven’t seen you since you were a little boy.”
