Chapter 8
The last uncertainty died.
Vincent continued.
“I didn’t want it this way.”
“You put something in my spine.”
“I saved everything Father built.”
“You murdered me slowly.”
“You were murdering us first.”
Luca swore under his breath.
Vincent’s voice sharpened.
“You closed three operations in six months. You gave employees severance instead of making examples. You returned businesses people owed us. You started talking about turning everything legitimate.”
Gabriel smiled bitterly.
“Terrifying.”
“You made us weak.”
“No. I made us mortal.”
Vincent hit the door again.
“Open it.”
“No.”
“Nurse Bennett.”
Nora froze.
Vincent knew her name.
“I researched you.”
Of course he had.
“Hawthorne Memorial.”
Gabriel looked at her.
Vincent continued.
“Disgraced surgeon. Revoked privileges. Bankruptcy. Failed marriage. Currently making four hundred dollars a night wiping criminals and rich drunks.”
Nora’s throat tightened.
“You sound impressive when you read my résumé.”
“You touch Gabriel with a scalpel and I make sure every hospital in this country receives your complete disciplinary file.”
Nora almost laughed.
“You think I’m still afraid of losing a career I already lost?”
Vincent went quiet.
Nora moved to the table.
Gabriel’s gaze held hers.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Correct.”
“You could walk out if Luca opens the service passage.”
“Also correct.”
“Why stay?”
Nora looked at him for a long time.
“Because once, I walked into a boardroom with enough evidence to save hundreds of patients, and fifteen people in expensive suits convinced me I was powerless.”
She picked up a sterile instrument.
“I have regretted believing them every day since.”
The first bolt on the outer door snapped.
Luca turned.
“They’re coming through.”
Nora looked at Gabriel.
“If I do this and the object is attached to the nerve root, I may make the paralysis permanent.”
Gabriel nodded.
“You could bleed.”
Another nod.
“You could die.”
He looked at her.
“I’m already dying.”
“No. That’s not what I asked.”
He understood.
The room went strangely quiet.
Finally he said, “If I die, Luca gives everything in my office safe to attorney Rebecca Hale. She has instructions.”
“What instructions?”
“To dismantle what’s left.”
“And Vincent?”
“No revenge.”
Luca turned sharply.
“Gabriel.”
“No revenge.”
The words landed heavily.
Gabriel looked at Nora.
“That’s my answer.”
She breathed in.
May you like
Then out.
“Turn him.”
