Page 20 of The Veiling

“Doyoureally think that’s a good idea, or are you doing this just for her?” Hayden replied. “To let him know anything, I mean? My opinion doesn’t matter here.”

Marco offered me a quick glint and a half smile. “Do it.” He jerked his head toward the archway on the other side of the room. “Follow me, Belle.”

Still hungry, and somewhat dazed from my entire morning, I followed Marco on autopilot through the home to the kitchen. I did not care what I ate. I just needed food.

“I have limited options because I haven’t been in town long, but I can make you whatever, or you can make it yourself for now.” He turned a slow circle on the other side of the kitchen island. “The man who made the breakfast you wasted only bought enough for a few meals so I can cook something, I guess.”

Shrugging, I plucked a pinkish-red apple out of a fruit bowl on the counter and stepped over to the sink to wash it. “It’s okay. I’ll start with this.” I tore a paper towel off the vertical stand and dried the fruit before I took a bite.

“Are they okay?”

I shielded my mouth with my arm. “Who?”

“Elise and Carissa.”

Nodding, I finished chewing and swallowed. “They’re doing great, but I’m sure they’d love to see you. We see them often and Carissa is growing so fast. She looks so much like you and your family. It’s insane, but she definitely has her mom’s smile.”

He lowered his gaze to the floor and took a deep breath. “I had to do it.”

“What?” I wrinkled my brow, then winced at the mild pain.

“I can’t give names, but I paid off some people at the hospital to make it look like I was hooked up to some machines and I laid there listening to Valentino cry as he told me goodbye.”

“He has had nightmares because of it and blames himself. It really hurt your entire family.”

“I know, I know.” For once in all the time I knew him, he looked genuinely ashamed. “I wish it hadn’t had to be that way, but I needed to helprightall the wrong I had done.”

“How didyoudoing that help anyone?” I sank my teeth into the apple again.

“I was in the hospital for three weeks before I was released.” Tucking his fingers under the hem of his shirt, he lifted it, revealing a deep scar on his side. He let the shirt go and leaned back on the counter, sliding his hands in his pockets. “After that, I had someone help me out with a fake identity and an apartment while I finished recovering. I’ve been hunting Felipe down and the bastard kept slipping away every time.”

Suddenly, I remembered the dying man in the hospital Valentino mentioned. “What about the donor?”

“The dude who was supposed to get my heart?”

I nodded.

“He got a heart, don’t worry. I was a match for him, but they were able to find another quickly, which is rare. It came from another hospital actually…that same night. He saved many lives.”

I was relieved to hear that and knew Valentino would be too once the shock of Marco being alive wore off. In fact, I would not have been surprised if Valentino punched him the minute he saw him after what he put the family through.

“Saving you at the masquerade was crucial to keeping you and my brother alive.”

“I’ll never understand any of this.”

“I’m not asking you to. I just ask you trust me right now.”

“Hey, Marco?” Hayden called out from behind me. Marco lifted his chin, crossing his arms. “I need to get back before they know I left.”

“Keep me posted on anything new.”

“Will do.” He slapped his palm on the arch molding. “Oh, and before I forget, I was able to get a message sent, but I don’t know if it’ll be received. There was some weird tracking thing pinging back at me and I was nervous to continue.”

“That’d be Noah.” I rolled my eyes.

Marco lifted a brow at me.

“He’s my cousin, and he’s really freaking smart.” I smiled for once. “He’s not one to mess with.”

---