I had taken it from the library desk only minutes before Dr. Voss arrived.

If Luca found it on me, I would not survive the night.

“The family is fine,” Sofia said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. “Alexander is still the boss.”

“He is dying,” Luca whispered.

The word hung in the damp air of the foyer, heavy and toxic.

From the shadow of the library door, Marcus Hale stepped forward.

The soles of his leather shoes made no sound on the Persian rug.

“He is not dead yet, Luca,” Marcus said.

His hand remained tucked inside his charcoal suit jacket.

Luca turned his head slowly, his jaw tight.

“You should be preparing the transition documents, Marcus,” Luca said. “Not lurking in the dark.”

“I serve the head of this family,” Marcus said. “My duties do not change because of a sudden illness.”

Luca took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.

He smoothed the lapels of his wet wool coat.

But his eyes remained wide, reflecting the flickering light of the wall sconces.