I pressed Luca closer to my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“He is just a baby,” I whispered toward the radio, though I knew Vance could not hear me.

Giovanni looked at me, his expression softening for a fraction of a second.

Then, the cold, calculated mask of the mafia boss returned.

“You will never touch him,” Giovanni said into the radio.

“I am coming up,” Vance said.

“Let’s see if your rust has cleared.”

The radio went silent.

Giovanni slipped the device back into his pocket.

He looked at Dr. Sullivan.

“Keep the boy stable,” Giovanni commanded.

“If anything happens to my son, you will not leave this bunker.”

Dr. Sullivan nodded quickly, his face devoid of color.

Giovanni walked over to me.

He put his hand on the back of my neck, pulling my forehead against his.

“I have to go out there,” he whispered.

“They will breach this door eventually if I stay.”

“I need to draw them away from the stairs.”

“No,” I said, tears blurring my vision.

“You can’t face them alone.”

“I am not alone,” Giovanni said.