Chapter 4 - THE COUSIN WHO CAME BEARING FLOWERS
Vincent Moretti arrived at the hospital the following morning.
He was thirty-four.
Handsome.
Perfectly dressed.
And carrying a bouquet of white lilies.
I disliked him immediately.
Not because he looked dangerous.
Because he smiled before asking whether Gabriel was alive.
“Emily Carter?”
I turned.
“Yes?”
He offered his hand.
“Vincent Moretti.”
I didn't take it.
His smile remained.
“I hear you saved my cousin.”
“The hospital team saved him.”
“Modest.”
“Accurate.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“Gabriel can be difficult.”
“He's critically ill.”
Vincent looked toward the ICU doors.
“Of course.”
Then he asked:
“Has he said anything?”
I stared.
“About what?”
Vincent smiled.
“Anything at all.”
I folded my arms.
“Medical information is confidential.”
His expression changed.
Just for a second.
Then he laughed.
“Of course.”
He placed the flowers on a nearby table.
“Please tell him I came.”
As he walked away, Luca appeared beside me.
“What did he want?”
I watched Vincent disappear down the corridor.
“To know whether Gabriel had spoken.”
Luca's jaw tightened.
I turned.
“Why does that frighten you?”
He looked at the ICU doors.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Because Vincent arranged everything after the shooting.”
