“Close the window,” someone said nearby.
Elio?
I went to sleep in Elio’s arms last night? But then, who was he talking to? Why would there be another person in his bedroom?
“Is that better?” Valentino asked him softly.
I was horrified.
My brother was here, too?
Oh God. Was I dressed appropriately?
I would just die if that weren’t the case and?—
Wait.
I attempted to open my eyes once more. It took a while for my vision to adjust, but when it did, I was even more confused.
I was in an unfamiliar room.
A cold, sterile, unfamiliar room.
It took me a while to find Elio sitting next to me on one side of the bed, and Valentino on the other side.
Both men looked like they’d been through hell.
Tears filled my eyes as the memories came crashing down.
I was in the hospital.
That much was obvious. And I remember being held at a house in the middle of nowhere, feeling helpless… and Nova… and I remembered being shot.
“Can someone help me up?” I croaked, my throat feeling like it had been scratched by sandpaper.
Elio repositioned the bed and fluffed my pillow while Valentino went to get me some water. I drank greedily through a straw, then settled back. I looked from Valentino to Elio, feeling relieved that I was surrounded by two of my most favorite people again. That I was safe once more. But I was the only one who was safe.
I grabbed Elio’s arm.
“Nova? Did you save her? Do you know where she went?”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. She disappeared without a trace.”
“She did?” I whispered. How could she just disappear without a trace?
“Can you please look for her? She’s the only reason I managed to send that message. That’s how you found me, isn’t it?”
Elio nodded.
Valentino grabbed my other hand. “Yeah. I’m so fucking glad you remembered Tommaso’s number.”
I smiled a little. “He made me memorize it when we first met. I thought it was silly.”
He smiled and nodded.
“I promised Nova we would help her. She was… she was trapped in that life.”
“I’ll send more men out to that house and search the area, okay?”
