Chapter 45

It felt like time had stopped and doubled in on itself. Luca sat with his elbows on his knees, head in his hands. His knuckles were white. His breathing was shallow. The walls were starting to get to him, but he hadn’t moved in over an hour.

Neither had Roman, posted at the door like a guard. Keira was in a chair beside him, hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles cracked every time she shifted. Blair sat quietly nearby, staring at the tiled floor, her expression unreadable. Antonio and Bella sat together talking softly.

Someone coughed down the hall. Footsteps.

Then the door opened.

A doctor in a white coat stepped gently into the room, her ID badge tucked against her chest.

“Mr. De Santis?”

They all looked up at once.

Luca stood abruptly, his body jerking to attention, and so did Antonio.

“I’m Dr. Smith,” the woman said. “Cardiology.” She said to them both.

Everyone in the room held his or her breath.

“Your father pulled thro