Page 97 of Sweet Sin

“Just one?”

“Yes, but when a person has leukemia, any bruise needs to be investigated.”

“I understand.” I swallow, my throat feeling constricted. “Falcon loves her so much.”

“We all do, Ms. Gallo.”

“Call me Savannah. Please. I…” I grab his hand. “I don’t know your family at all, and in many ways, I barely know Falcon. But it’s obvious how close you all are. I’m… I’m so sorry. I’m…”

“Don’t feel like you have to say anything.” He gently pulls his hand away from me. “Sometimes there are no words.”

He should know. I peek into the room. Falcon sits with a woman, presumably his mother. She’s beautiful with skin a shade darker than Falcon’s and long dark hair that’s pulled into a ponytail at the back of her neck.

And in the bed…

Raven.

Falcon’s sister.

Even with her head that’s beginning to grow a fuzz, she’s beautiful. Fine porcelain features and full lips.

Her skin is flushed. Is that a good sign?

Mr. Bellamy said she was running a fever. That would make her hot and flushed.

Mrs. Bellamy looks over her shoulder. “You can come in, dear.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“Come in, Vannah,” Falcon says.

I walk in hesitantly. “Hello.”

“I’m Star Bellamy,” Mrs. Bellamy says, not rising, “and this is Raven.”

Raven gives a weak smile.

“Hi. It’s nice to meet both of you.” I glance out the door. “But I should go.”

“It’s okay,” Falcon says.

“Let me see you,” Raven says, her voice soft. “I want to lay eyes on the woman—”

“Ray…” Falcon interrupts. “You need to rest.”

I move into Raven’s line of vision. “Hi there.”

“Hello,” Raven says. “I’m glad to meet you, though I wish I weren’t lying in this damned hospital bed to do it.”

“I’m sure you’ll be out of it in no time,” I say.

Then I wonder if I should have said that. What if she’s sick again? What if Falcon’s bone marrow didn’t cure her?

“The doctor thinks Raven probably has a virus,” Mrs. Bellamy says, “but with her history, we can’t take chances. So we’re having some blood work done just to make sure.”

“I feel fine, Mom,” Raven says. “Other than feeling like shit.”

I furrow my brow.

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