I brought my hand out slowly, hiding the silver metal behind the white fabric of the bandage.

I pressed the cold handle of the scalpel into Dominic’s palm.

His fingers closed around it instantly.

He slid his hand down beneath his thigh, hiding the weapon against the dark leather of the chair cushion.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

I stood up, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I walked back to the desk where Leo was waiting.

“He’s as stable as he’s going to get,” I said.

Leo picked up the pen again and pushed the document toward me.

“Now,” Leo said.

“Sign.”

I reached out and took the pen.

The metal felt heavy and cold in my hand.

Before I could press the nib to the paper, the heavy oak door of the library rattled.

Someone knocked three times, hard and fast.

The guard immediately drew his weapon and stepped back.

Leo frowned, his hand dropping to his pocket.

“Who is that?” Leo demanded.

The door began to open slowly.

The door swung back against the wood paneling with a heavy thud.