“And that key belongs to my aunt’s locker.”

“I know the layout of that facility.”

Marco looked at Luke and gave a short nod.

“She’s right, boss,” Marco said.

“The hospital isn’t secure anymore if Vivian’s people are watching.”

Luke hesitated, his gaze dropping to my stomach.

He let out a slow, heavy breath.

“Alright,” Luke said.

“But you stay close to me.”

“If anything feels wrong, you tell me immediately.”

I found my boots in the small closet and pulled them on.

My hands shook as I tied the laces.

Marco slipped out of the room first to clear the hallway.

He wore his usual dark coat, his shoulders tense.

A minute later, he signaled for us to follow.

We walked down the quiet, fluorescent-lit service corridor.

The air smelled of industrial bleach and stale coffee.

We exited through a side door that led directly into a wet, dark alley.

The autumn air was freezing, and a thin drizzle clung to my face.

Marco’s dark sedan was idling near the trash bins.

The engine made a low, steady hum.