Page 69 of Twisted Knight

Luca was silent, looking down with a frown as if he was trying to resolve a complicated math problem as the vet directed Matteo to a chair and started to hook him up to a weird machine that looked like a pump. The vet started to work on the machine. “I can’t take more than three pints of blood or it will become dangerous.”

“Would it be enough?” Matteo asked, looking down at his arm as the vet put the huge needle in it.

Matteo didn’t even flinch as he stabbed his arm; seriously was this man a robot?

“I think temporarily yes, but he needs medical help, real help.”

“It’s on its way; just keep him alive.”

It was not a request; it was very much an order, and the vet clearly got the message as he paled a couple shades.

He came back to my side, hooked Dom to the machine as well, and reached for the clamp.

“You did well. I'm taking over,” he said gently, clearly having noticed I was just an exported piece on the chessboard. I was not a danger.

I nodded mutely, trying to unhook my cramped fingers from the clamp.

“You’re in shock. Go behind the reception desk. There’s Coke in the fridge. The sugar will help. And get the sandwich too and give it to your friend. He’ll need it.”

I looked at Matteo.Friend… somehow I felt like being friends with this man would be more a curse than a blessing.

I turned to leave the room when Luca suddenly looked up with wide eyes as if he’d just connected the dots on something.

“Brother, brother, where are you? I’m standing right next to you,” he sang barely louder than a whisper.

I frowned, looking from one man to the other.

Matteo glared at him. “It’s complicated.”

“You…” Luca started.

Matteo shook his head. “Now is not the time.” He pointed at the tube stuck in his arm, filling with blood. “Do you want to save your friend?”

Luca’s glare turned murderous, his lips in a grim line. “Do you want to save yourbrother?”

I gasped. Brother? Dom was Matteo’s brother? Did he know it?

“Half, actually,” Matteo continued like it was not the revelation of the year.

“Does he know?” I asked, still in awe.

Matteo shook his head.

Luca crossed his arms on his chest, ready to take over the world. “Did you know? When yougrantedme my favor?”

Matteo gave him a small smirk. “I never said your interests didn’t meet mine.”

Matteo turned to the small bottle half filled with his blood.

“If only I had that man.”

“We do.”

Both Luca and Matteo turned toward me.

“Che?” Matteo asked.

“I tased him.” I pointed to the wall. “He’s handcuffed and locked in the room there.”

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