I reach over as best as my seat belt allows and hold on to Orion’s shoulder like it’s the edge of a cliff. He turns and kisses my knuckles before covering them with his hand.

The entire ride has been quiet. There’s already a level of care that goes into driving without factoring in a confirmed Decker in the backseat. I’m sure Floyd is nervous that this act of kindness he’s showing me can lead to everyone’s deaths. Orion is paying attention to his side-view mirror for any rogue cars that might spin out of control.

No matter what happens, I still can’t help but feel like I’m in a hearse, being driven to my funeral even though my heart is still beating.

Orion

6:30 p.m.

My phone rings, and for a second I feel like I can’t answer it, as if I’m the one driving the car and not someone sitting shotgun. Floyd’s got those steel nerves thankfully. I check my phone, and it’s not Dalma or Scarlett calling. It’s a number I don’t know.

“Hello?”

“Hi, I’m calling to speak with Orion Pagan. This is Dr. Emeterio from Lenox Hill.”

“Oh my god, hey! It’s me.”

“How are you?”

“I’m okay, I’m really good, actually.”

“Does that mean Valentino is still alive?”

“Yeah, we’re together right now.” I look over my shoulder and tell Valentino that it’s Dr. Emeterio on the phone. “So what’s up?”

“Is it possible to speak with Valentino?”

“Totally.” I pass the phone back to Valentino.

I’m trying to figure out if Dr. Emeterio calling is a good thing or bad thing. I watch Valentino from the rearview mirror, hoping to get a spoiler of some sort. He’s just saying, “Yeah” and “No” and “Uh-huh” and then finally, “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll see you soon.” That doesn’t tell me shit either, we were already planning on going back to the hospital.

Valentino meets my eyes in the rearview mirror.

And smiles.

And nods.

And tears up.

“The board approved the surgery,” Valentino says.

It would be a bad idea for my heart to explode right now, but I’m bursting with happiness.

We can’t save his life, but we can hook him up with a gentler death.

Death-Cast for the win.

Gloria Dario

6:34 p.m.

Gloria has lived too much of her life in fear.