Page 39 of Devour
That’s, if they still live together. I doubt it though. I never got the sense of a strong bond between them. While I was tutoring Luca, she always felt like a presence forced into his life, not chosen.
I remember bringing it up once—just once. He shut down immediately. The air turned thick, his silence heavy. It broke my heart, so I never brought it up again. I take a deep breath and square my shoulders.
Put on your big girl pants, Ariel. You can do this. Just until Noah recovers and I find out what happened to Mai. Then I’ll find a way to disappear. He’ll never find us. Can I actually escape a mob boss? I push the thought away. One step at a time.
“I’m fine…” I murmur. He glances at his outstretched hand, as if confused why I haven’t taken it yet. Hesitating, I finally place my hand in his. He helps me up the last few steps and into his house.
As soon as we step inside, we’re greeted by a Latina woman who looks old enough to be Luca’s mother. Her eyes are kind and warm, her hair streaked with dust-gray and pulled back into a neat bun.
Without hesitation, she pulls me into a gentle hug, separating me from Luca who doesn’t seem to mind. He’s already heading off somewhere, to God knows where. Oddly, I don’t mind either.
There’s something comforting about this woman’s presence. She pulls back, both hands still holding mine, and beams at me.
“Welcome, my child,” she says, smiling from ear to ear, and I can’t help but muster a smile of my own.
“Oh, pardon my manners—I’m Griselda, the housekeeper,” she adds, introducing herself. Her voice is tiny but soothing.
“Mrs. Falcone—just call me Ariel,” I reply.
“Lovely name. Luca has told me so much about you and Noah.”
He did?I can’t picture him sitting around talking about me, not without some kind of agenda. I want to ask her what he said, but something tells me to save it for later.
“I’m glad I finally got to meet you,” she says sincerely.
I don’t really know how to respond to that, so I just nod and offer another polite smile.
“Would you like me to show you to Noah’s room? He’s settled in nicely, but the nurses said he’s been asking for you.”
“Yes, please.”
“This way,” she says, turning gracefully and guiding me down the corridor toward the west wing.
On our way there, I notice the walls on this side of the house are bare, unlike the rest, where artwork is displayed.
As we walk, she adds, “He had the west wing prepared for his arrival. Everything’s been sterilized.”
We stop at a set of sealed double doors. She gives me a small smile.
“I’ll leave you to it, then. I’ll be downstairs getting dinner ready if you need anything.”
A nurse stationed at the entrance steps forward and hands me a sterile bag. Inside is a folded gown, a pair of gloves, and a nose mask. I quickly put everything on, sliding the mask over my face last.
As soon as I motion that I’m ready, the nurse opens the door. The room is spacious, with a king-sized bed at its center. Ifnot for the steady beeping of the monitor, I might have mistaken it for a luxurious hotel suite.
I quietly close the distance between us, perching gently on the edge of the bed as I peer down at him. He looks so small. So fragile. I reach for his free hand, the one without the IV and gently run my fingers over it.
He can’t see the smile behind my mask, but it’s there. I’m so relieved. So thankful. He got a donor, and now he’s on his way to recovery. I haven’t told him the truth about his donor yet. Or that his father was the match.
I told him his father died in an accident, and I couldn’t risk the shock interfering with his recovery. Luca agreed on the condition that I tell him once he’s strong enough. I will. I just… wish I didn’t have to. I’m afraid he’ll hate me for lying. But that’s a burden for another day.
“Mum…”
His voice is almost inaudible, groggy and soft.
“I’m here, baby,” I say gently. “Go back to sleep.”
“Dr. Eli…”
