“I…” Doctor Malloy’s words suddenly ring in my ears.You saved her life.“...did what needed to be done.”
Rocco shakes his head in disapproval. “Is this really what the Guild needs or about whatyouneed?”
Rage begins to rise within me. “What do you want me to say to that, Rocco? If you think I’m jeopardizing the Guild, that’s on you for naming me don.”
“I just don’t see how any of this is rational!”
“That’s because it’s not!” I cry. “I never wanted this! She was never supposed to be important. She was never supposed to get hurt. And I was never supposed to?—”
I cut myself off, but it’s already too late.
“You were never supposed to what?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“She’s important, to who? To you?”
“Rocco.”
But Rocco is staring with wide eyes. “Fuck. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
The world around me seems to grind to a halt. “It’s not like that.”
“Then explain what you’re doing with Isabella Natali in a way that makes sense.”
I let out a long breath and let myself settle back into my seat. “Ida tried to kill me, and Isabella got caught up in it. She got hurt badly. I had to move her somewhere safe.”
“To protect her.”
“To…I won’t hurt her to get what I want.”
He gives me a hard look. “You know that getting what you want will hurt her.”
“I know.”
“I know you want revenge on Ida, but…” Rocco seems to struggle to find the right words. “If Isabella is…important to you. Maybe?—”
“No.”
“Teo.”
“It’s not my revenge. It’s my sister’s. And I will not rest until Ida is six feet under.”
Rocco gives me a sad look. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
20
ISABELLA
Twenty-four hours after I last saw Teo, I finally try to open the door. It’s locked, of course, but after last time, I know it would have been idiotic not to try.
Thirty hours after I last saw Teo, I wake up from a nap to find another tray of food has been placed by my bedside table. He always waits until I’m asleep, the coward.
Thirty-eight hours after I last saw Teo, I’m about ready to tear my hair out.
There is nothing in this room besides the medical equipment.
I’ve already read through my doctor's notes about fifteen times. I know exactly how much tranquilizer I took, how many seconds my heart stopped beating, and how long it will take me to recover.
