CHAPTER TEN
Aoife
THE HOSPITAL SMELLS like antiseptic.
The sharp chemical scent can't quite cover the underlying odor of illness. William's security team flanks me as I enterthe main entrance. Two men in dark suits who haven't spoken since we left the Murphy estate.
I hate that I need them.
The woman at the reception desk looks up as we approach. Middle-aged, tired eyes, a name tag that reads "Siobhan." She sees the men behind me, and her expression shifts. She knows what we are. Who we are.
"Dillon O'Rourke," I say quietly. "I'm his daughter."
She doesn't look him up. Doesn't need to. Everyone knows who Dillon O'Rourke is.
"Fourth floor, ICU." Her voice is careful. Neutral.
We move toward the elevators. I focus on the details as we walk. Fluorescent lights overhead, too bright, buzzing faintly. Linoleum floors, scuffed and worn despite someone's best efforts to keep them clean. A waiting area to my left with hard plastic chairs in faded blue.
Details. Safe details. Things I can catalog and control.
My heart is racing, but I focus on the details.
The elevator arrives with a soft chime. We step inside. The doors close.
I watch the numbers climb. One. Two. Three. Four.
The doors open.
The ICU is quieter than the lobby. Hushed voices. Steady beeping from machines. The shuffle of nurses' shoes on linoleum. Everything muted, like the world is holding its breath.
A nurse approaches. She's young with a kind face, but exhaustion shows in the shadows under her eyes. "Miss O'Rourke?"
"Yes."
"Your brother arrived a few minutes ago. He's in the waiting area." She glances at my security detail. "Only immediate family in the ICU. Two visitors at a time."
He must have driven like a maniac to get here before me. I can picture it. Reilan with his foot to the floor, hands tight on the wheel, cursing William Murphy's name the entire way.
I turn to the guards. "Wait here."
They nod.
I follow the nurse down a corridor. White walls. More fluorescent lights. Doors with small windows, glimpses of people in beds, families keeping vigil.
Reilan stands when he sees me. His face is tight, controlled, but I can see the anger simmering beneath.
"Aoife."
"Reilan."
I turn to the nurse. "Has there been any change?"
"The doctor will be with you shortly to discuss his condition." She gestures to a private room at the end of the hall.
"Thank you," I manage.
She leaves us alone.
