“Luca,” Marcus said, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone. “You might want to see this.”

Luca did not look at the phone immediately.

He kept his hand raised, signaling the guard to halt near the door.

“What is it, Marcus?” Luca asked, his voice tight. “I don’t have time for distractions.”

“It’s the gate security,” Marcus said, keeping his eyes on his screen. “Dr. Voss’s car just passed the outer perimeter.”

Luca swore under his breath and turned back toward the bed where Alexander lay.

“Let her go for a second,” Luca told the guard holding my arm.

The guard released his grip, though he stayed close enough that I could smell the wet wool of his coat.

My arm throbbed where his fingers had dug into my skin.

Luca began to pace the floor near the bedside table, his leather shoes clicking against the hardwood.

The rain lashed against the tall windows, making the glass rattle in its frame.

Luca stopped pacing and stared down at the small mahogany table beside Alexander’s bed.