Page 109 of Matteo

It’s what he would call a good result. It means I'm a viable donor candidate. He keeps talking, says something about additional screening, consultations, next steps, and surgical evaluations.

The words mesh into a messy blob because I've heard the only part that matters.

I'm compatible.

When the call finally ends, I lower the phone slowly. My hand is shaking. My pulse is racing. For several seconds, I simply stare at my monitor before sinking back into my chair.

Fuck.

I'd been quietly hoping the decision would be made for me. That somewhere along the line, a test would rule me out. That my body would decide this wasn't possible. Instead, it seems perfectly willing to hand over one of my kidneys.

I scrub both hands over my face.

Enzo came over last night with the other piece of news. Good news, as it happens, considering what I’ve just heard.

Zach matched, too.

At least I'm not carrying this alone, not that it makes any of this easier. Another thought flashes in my mind. If I don’t tell them that I’ve matched, Zach will probably step forward.

That would be a terrible thing to do.

It would be a hideous lie, and it would weigh heavily on me. The old man has spies everywhere, and he’d find out, one way or another. Then everyone would hate me.

I scratch my jaw. I feel trapped and cornered, like there’s no way out of this.

But I know exactly what I need.

To see Mama.

Just the thought of seeing her calms me down.

She'll know what to say.

She'll know what to do.

She always does.

A knock sounds on my office door. I look up to see Sonny approaching with a tablet tucked under one arm. Damn. We have an infrastructure meeting. Under normal circumstances, I'd be interested. Today, I couldn't care less.

“Can we reschedule? Sorry,” I ask the moment he steps in. “I’ve got on my plate right now.”

“Sure, boss. No problem. You just let me know when.” His expression softens, like he’s almost as relieved as I am to postpone our meeting.

I sit back, see Elizabeth talking to Alex. It’s almost the end of the day, but with my trip coming up, I have lots of loose ends to tie up. I need to get away, somewhere quiet where I can be alone. I head for the solitude of the server room.

I wasn’t lying to Sonny. I have a lot going on. Too much. Medical issues, technical issues, possible employee sabotage. The idea of giving my kidney to the old man.

And now there’s Elizabeth.

I wonder if I’ve taken too much on. I like my life to run smoothly, but at this moment I’m in the eye of a hurricane and about to be blown away.

A light slap across my bottom makes my insides jolt.

Only one person would have the balls to do that.

The little minx.

“What are you doing in here, big boy?” Her smile vanishes when she looks at me. “What's wrong?”