Page 162 of Dagger in the Sea

The private clinic they’d brought me and Marko to had all the little luxuries and a very attentive staff. The bullet had passed through my side, and I’d been patched up, given blood, vitals monitored through the night, and given beautiful meds which chased away the pain demons. I’d answered the police’s questions, told my story, and under the sunny warmth of Petros’ influence combined with the police’s relief over the outcome and joy at having captured a terrorist crew member possibly connected with the recent assault on a journalist, we were done.

Alessio was in my room when I woke up the next morning. Those warm brown eyes of his staring at me, his legs stretched out before him. He’d been here a while.

“I know he shot you first.”

“Good morning to you too,” I replied.

“Turo—”

“Don’t get involved, Alessio. It’s all good between me and Luca.”

“Are you sure?”

“Nothing’s ever for sure. But for now, it’s good enough.”

He only scowled, his formidable brow creasing.

“Any sign of the doctor?” I asked. “I’m itching to get out of here already.”

Get out and go where, do what, I wasn’t sure. I just wanted out of here though, and I wanted to see Adri.

“No, I haven’t seen him,” replied Alessio.

My phone buzzed and I reached for it. Marissa Derringer, my mother’s lawyer. My scalp prickled. My mother had many lawyers, but Marissa had been her most trusted councillor for almost two decades.

“Marissa?”

“Turo. How are you?” Her voice tight, terse.

“Okay. Out of the country at the moment.”

“Are you? I’ve been trying to reach you for several hours now. Must be it.” Her breath hitched. She was collecting herself. A sharp chill jagged up my spine.

“Marissa? What is it?”

“There was a fire,” came the answer.

Fire.

Fire.

Fire.

“And?” My stomach hardened.

“It’s your mother. She and James were in the new restaurant, there was an electrical fire in the bar area. James is dead and Erin—Erin is—”

I jacked up from the bed, a stinging ache blazing through my middle, a cold tidal wave sweeping through my veins. “Erin iswhat?”

“She’s in a coma, she’s hanging on, but I can’t get any more details. I need you here at the hospital. You need to see her.”

“Which hospital?”

“Rush.”

I tugged a hand through my hair. Rush University Medical Center. Top of the line.

“How did it happen?” I asked, the obvious already doing its smug tap-dance around me.

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