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“Noah is my brother,” he said without hesitation. “Though I understand that you should update his husband.”
The doctor approached Jerry, who still sat and stared into space. She leaned forward with her hands crossed in her lap as she began speaking. Though she had said she couldn’t share information with them, Drake and Grant were close enough to hear everything she said.
“Mr. Matthews, what I say will be hard to hear. Please let me know if you have any questions or need to take a break.”
Jerry looked wordlessly at Drake, who made his way to his friend’s side. Grant came closer as well, offering his support.
“Your husband, Noah, is in critical condition. He was unresponsive when EMS arrived. It was touch-and-go during surgery. The next forty-eight hours are the most critical. I assure you that your husband will receive our best standard of care.
“He suffered severe head trauma, and we’ve placed him in a medically induced coma to allow his body time to recover and the swelling in his brain to dissipate. We’re unsure if he’ll have permanent brain damage. In cases this severe, diminished capacity is expected. Our neurologist, Dr. Wilson, will speak with you as soon as he’s had a chance to make his initial evaluation.
“Though he suffered several broken bones and stab wounds, minor injuries will heal with time. There was no damage to vital organs such as his heart or lungs. The internal bleeding resulted from a lacerated liver, which we repaired. His spleen had to be removed—”
“When will he wake up?” Jerry interrupted her.
“Unfortunately, we can’t answer that, Mr. Matthews. As I stated before, the next forty-eight hours will tell us more. It’s best to focus on the positives right now. He survived the surgery. While critical, he’s currently stable.
“He’s been moved to the intensive care unit, and you’ll be allowed to visit him shortly. He is currently intubated. I have to ask: does your husband have any directives? Does he have a DNR order? Is there anything we should be aware of?”
“My husband isn’t even thirty! Why would he have any of that?”
Drake put his hand on Jerry’s shoulder to offer comfort.
“In cases like this, it’s best to be prepared.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Grant dismissed her and turned to his colleagues. “I directed EMS to bring your spouses here because this facility is best. Noah will continue to receive nothing short of the best.”
Drake snorted but withheld his retort. Nothing short of the best was bullshit. They were collateral damage in a dangerous game. Nothing could make that right besides putting bodies in the ground.
***
Chapter Two
The three men silently walked the sterile corridors of the hospital and exited onto a private terrace. Their conversation needed to be out of earshot of staff and patients.
“It’s safe to speak here,” Grant said after a quick sweep.
Jerry took a moment before lifting his reddened eyes to those by his side. “You have to do something, Drake. This is getting out of hand. You knew Luca was dangerous when he made threats, but you did nothing to stop him.”
“And what would you have me do? I married Alessandra like I was told. I played my role. A mistrial was forced as predicted, and then what? I did my best to protect Alessandra.
“The only threat Luca made was to my life. He wanted to claim Alessandra when Tony named him his successor. Marrying into the family legitimizes his status as heir. I'm confident the task force hasn’t been compromised.”
“I can’t take your confidence to the higher-ups, Drake. It’s time to produce results,” Grant pressed. “The court clerk was bribed to destroy transcripts. There was a break-in at your firm to steal discovery, and a virus cleared out digital records. The Russo influence extends further than we anticipated.”
“You know whom you need to call, Drake,” Jerry said.
“I already told you that isn’t an option, Jerry.”
Jerry grabbed Drake by the collar. “For all the shit you spew of keeping Alessandra safe, you’ve done a piss-poor job of it. As a result, my husband’s life is hanging in the balance. Hesitating puts them in further danger. You have a chance to make a real change. I can’t believe you’re such a selfish bastard!”
“Let him go, Jerry.” Grant put his hand on Jerry’s forearm. “We understand you’re upset, but we can’t turn on each other now. This is a critical point in our investigation.”
“Grant’s informant failed to anticipate Luca’s attack.” Drake pulled Jerry’s hands off his collar. “You don’t understand what you’re asking of me. Don’t you think it kills me to see Alessandra lying there? Don’t you think I’d do anything for Noah, who’s like a brother to me?”
“You can help Noah! You’re just refusing to. How long can you keep hiding who you are from your wife, Drake? Hasn’t enough happened to open your eyes yet?”
“Sometimes you need to choose the lesser of two evils, Drago,” Grant said.
