“Luke,” my former father-in-law said.

His voice sounded like gravel grinding under a heavy boot.

“Father,” Luke said, his voice tightening.

“You are not at your desk,” Arthur Mercer said.

“I am dealing with a personal matter,” Luke replied.

“Your personal matters are becoming a liability to this family,” Arthur said.

“The board is meeting in three hours.”

“If you are not in the room, I will make the decision for you.”

The line went dead.

Luke stared at the black screen of his phone.

“He knows,” Marco said quietly.

“He knows I’m not where I should be,” Luke said.

He rubbed his hand over his face.

I pulled the thin hospital blanket off my legs and swung my feet to the cold floor.

“What are you doing?” Luke asked, stepping toward me.

“I’m coming with you,” I said.

My voice was barely a whisper, but I meant it.

“Elena, you’re still weak,” he said, reaching out to support my elbow.

His hand was warm against my bare skin.

“Vivian was just here,” I said, looking at him.

“If she comes back, I am alone.”