Page 38 of Forbidden Vengeance

The doctor returns hours later with results that make my knees weak with relief. Not anthrax—just powdered sugar mixed with chalk dust. A scare tactic, not a death sentence. I nearly burst into tears.

“Follow up with your primary care physician,” he says, carefully not mentioning my pregnancy. “But you should be fine to go home.”

“She’ll be coming home with us,” Matteo interjects smoothly. “For monitoring and safety.”

“Like hell I will.” The words slip out before I can stop them. “I’m going to my own home.”

Matteo’s expression could cut glass. “That wasn’t a request, Elena.”

“And that wasn’t an acceptance, Matteo,” I respond coolly.

The doctor looks between us, clearly sensing the mounting tension. “I’ll…just get those discharge papers ready.” He practically runs from the room. Coward.

A knock interrupts our standoff. One of Matteo’s men appears, his face grim. “Boss, there’s a young woman here. Claims she’s Ms. Santiago’s cousin.”

Cousin? My heart skips. I’m an only child, my mother was an only child, and we never saw my father’s side?—

A girl bursts into the room, all wild brown curls and huge doe eyes. She can’t be more than nineteen, dressed in ripped jeans and a cropped NYU sweatshirt. Before anyone can stop her, she’s at my bedside.

“Oh my God, Elena!” Her words tumble out in a rush of tears and relief. “We were so worried! The hospital called Mom andshe completely freaked out, saying we needed to bring you home right away. Why didn’t you call us?”

I stare at her face—heart-shaped, earnest, those big brown eyes silently pleading with me to play along. Something in her expression makes me trust her, though I couldn’t say why.

“Jenna,” I manage, though I’m certain that’s not her name, but I know it’s a distant cousin’s name. “Tell your mother I’m fine. Really.”

“I thought you didn’t have any family,” Bella says slowly, confusion evident in her voice.

“Jenna” turns to face Matteo’s scrutiny. “My mother is her father’s sister,” she says smoothly. “We lost touch after Uncle Richard died, but?—”

“Convenient timing,” Matteo cuts in, his eyes narrowed. “Showing up now.”

“Not convenient,” she counters, meeting his gaze without flinching. “Family.” She produces a driver’s license that looks perfectly real, the name Jenna Santiago clear beneath her photo.

Something about her composure, her careful answers…this girl is more than she appears. But right now, she might be my only chance at avoiding Matteo’s fortress.

“Elena’s coming home with me,” Jenna announces, gathering my belongings.

“Absolutely not.” Matteo’s voice is forbidding. “She’s coming to the compound where we can protect her. We haven’t even verified your identity.”

Jenna rolls her eyes before turning to me. “Who the fuck does this guy think he is?”

The temperature in the room drops ten degrees. Nobody talks to Matteo DeLuca like that.

“Elena,” Bella interjects quickly, sensing danger. “Please. It would be safer with us until we figure out who tried to hurt you.”

But I’ve made my decision. Whatever game this girl is playing, it’s better than being under Matteo’s thumb. “I’m going with my cousin.”

Jenna beams triumphantly. The hurt that flashes across Bella’s face makes me hate myself, but I can’t take it back now.

“Nobody leaves until we verify her identity.” Matteo’s tone brooks no argument.

“Fine by me.” Jenna drops into a chair, crossing her ankles with exaggerated patience. “I’ve got nowhere to be.”

It takes less than an hour for Matteo’s men to confirm that Jenna Santiago exists and is, apparently, actually related to my father through his sister. I keep my face carefully blank at this news.

“Finally,” Jenna sighs. “Can we leave now?”

The discharge process seems to take forever. Before I can escape, Bella pulls me into a careful hug. “Call me, okay? Promise?”

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