Chapter 5 - THE BROTHER WHO REFUSED TO BE AFRAID
Daniel arrived just after four.
He burst into the medical suite wearing a borrowed winter coat and an expression of pure panic.
“Emily!”
I barely had time to sit up before he hugged me.
“Ow.”
He immediately stepped back.
“Sorry.”
“I'm okay.”
“You look terrible.”
“Thank you.”
His eyes filled.
“Mrs. Alvarez told me you were found outside in the snow.”
I nodded.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't want you to worry.”
He stared.
“I'm already worried.”
I reached for his hand.
“I know.”
He sat beside me.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then Daniel noticed Nicholas standing near the doorway.
His expression changed.
“You.”
Nicholas raised an eyebrow.
“Me?”
“You own this place.”
“Yes.”
“Then you're responsible for what happened.”
The room became very quiet.
Luca, standing behind Nicholas, straightened.
I grabbed Daniel's sleeve.
“Daniel—”
“No.”
My brother stood.
“You hired the man who threw her outside. You let him treat people like garbage. And now she's in a hospital bed on Christmas.”
Nicholas looked at him.
Daniel was seventeen.
Thin.
Exhausted.
Wearing sneakers with holes in the soles.
And he was shouting at one of the most feared men in Chicago.
I wanted to disappear.
Nicholas remained silent.
Then he nodded.
“You're right.”
Daniel blinked.
“What?”
“I'm responsible for the people who work here. I failed to make sure they were safe.”
My brother stared.
Nicholas continued.
“I can't undo what happened. But I can make sure the person responsible faces consequences, and I can change the conditions that allowed it.”
Daniel looked at me.
Then back at Nicholas.
“Are you firing him?”
“Richard has been suspended pending investigation. He no longer has authority over the staff.”
Daniel folded his arms.
“Good.”
Nicholas almost smiled.
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes.
Of course there was.
“Emily needs a raise.”
“Daniel!”
Nicholas laughed.
A real laugh.
It startled everyone.
“I'll have compensation reviewed independently,” he said.
Daniel nodded.
“Okay.”
Then he sat down and began eating the cookies Maria had brought.
Nicholas watched him for a moment.
“Your sister tells me you eat enough for three.”
Daniel looked up.
“Four if the food's good.”
Nicholas smiled.
“Then I hope you like lasagna.”
After he left, I stared at my brother.
“Have you completely lost your mind?”
Daniel shrugged.
“He was being reasonable.”
“He's Nicholas Grimaldi.”
“So?”
“So people are afraid of him.”
Daniel looked at me.
“I'm more afraid of losing you.”
My anger disappeared.
May you like
I reached for him.
And we held each other until the Christmas lights outside the window blurred through my tears.
