Page 175 of The Re-Proposal

Cody snaps his mouth shut, but his body is on edge. I see the worry bubbling beneath his nuclear-bomb expression. He’s barely holding on.

I know because he’s squeezing my hand for dear life.

“What did the doctors say when you got here?” I ask Vargas.

“Something about cardiac arrest. His heart just couldn’t handle any more strain and it gave in. The next few hours are the most vital. The doctors say it could go either way.”

“No, let’s think positively.”

Vargas purses his lips. “We’ve got to be prepared for anything. If Joel doesn’t make it, the fall-out will be brutal. The press will have a field day—”

“Who gives a damn about the press?” Cody growls. “We’re talking about a kid’s life here.”

Vargas looks sheepish. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant,” Cody says darkly. “But you heard her. We think positively.”

I try to smile, but the worry inside me expands until it fills the whole room.

A door to the left opens and a doctor walks out wearing a mask over his face. “Who’s here for Joel Constantine?”

“Me.” Cody lumbers forward. “I’m his fa—foster dad.”

“We’re all here for Joel.” I press in. “Doctor, how is he? Is he okay?”

“His heart stopped.”

Sorrow hammers into my head like a murder weapon.

“But we managed to bring him back.”

Vargas keels over, both hands on his knees. “Oh, thank God.”

Cody’s about to pinch my fingers clear off.

I wiggle my hand around. “Cody.”

He looks down, recognizes he’s leaving marks and quickly loosens his grip. “Sorry.”

The doctor continues, “The worst isn’t over yet, I’m afraid. Joel’s heart can no longer function with his mobile ventilator. We have him on our ECOS ventilator, but it’s only a temporary solution.”

“What does that mean?” I press.

“If he doesn’t get a new heart soon…” The doctor shakes his head.

Stricken, I stumble back. It feels like the floor is sliding to one side and my feet can’t stay balanced.

Cody slips an arm around my waist. “You okay, princess?”

“Yeah,” I breathe.

He glances up at the doctor. “What do we have to do to make this happen? I don’t care how much it costs. I want the best, healthiest heart flown in tonight.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Bolton, but you can’t just order a heart like it’s a dish off a menu.”

“You can do anything with enough money,” Cody fires back.

“Not unless you plan on cutting someone’s heart out and serving it up on a silver platter.”

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