Anna stirred. “Who is it?”

“I’m with Alessio. You must come to Ospedale Santa Maria.”

The words chilled her. “What’s happened? Is Alessio all right?”

“He is all right now. He had a serious attack.”

“I’m coming now.”

Eliana dropped the phone in its cradle.

Anna had slept at Eliana’s side to watch over her, but now she was sitting up. “Eliana, what is it?”

“Alessio’s at the hospital.”

The dark roads were empty, and it only took them fifteen minutes to make the usual twenty-minute drive.

Manuela was standing in the front lobby of the Santa Maria Hospital, waiting. The women embraced. “I’ve been so worried for you,” Manuela said. “I’m so sorry, Eliana. I had to go along with Maurizio. It was the only way to protect Alessio.”

“I know, Manuela, I know. I’m not angry at you.”

“Alessio’s been so upset since Maurizio took him. He had several attacks. This one was his worst. We thought we lost him.”

Eliana turned pale. “Lost him?”

“The line on the machine went flat.”

“Oh, Dio . . .”

“He’s okay now, Eliana. He’s sleeping.”

“Who’s with him?”

“The dottore just left. Only Maurizio.”

“Maurizio?” Eliana asked. Knowing where Alessio was, she was no longer fearful. Anna had bristled at the mention of his name but Eliana didn’t want Alessio any more upset than he already was. “Not in front of Alessio, Anna.”

Anna replied, “I will control myself.” She thought a moment then said, “I’ll wait outside the door.”

The hospital was dark and the corridor echoed with their footsteps. Near the center of the second-floor corridor a single door was ajar. Eliana looked inside. The room light was off and only a table lamp illuminated the wall behind the bed. She could see Alessio’s small form beneath the covers. An oxygen mask covered his face and an IV needle ran into his arm. She ran to his side. She took his hand and fell to her knees next to him. His eyes opened, and he looked at her as tears ran down her cheeks. She rubbed his hand with hers then pressed it against her wet cheek. “I didn’t know where you were. I’m so sorry, Alessio, I didn’t know. I would never leave you alone. I would never.”

Alessio gazed at her; then he glanced fearfully past her, over her shoulder.

Eliana followed his gaze. Maurizio stood in the corner of the room, in the shadows. For a moment they stared at each other. He didn’t look terrible anymore. He looked small and impotent, whereas she was filled with strength—the innate ferocity of a mother guarding her young. He could no longer threaten her. He would have to kill her to take Alessio away from her again.

Manuela noticed their exchange and left the room.

Maurizio cleared his throat. “He has cried for you ever since I took him. He had an attack almost immediately. A small one. He has had several. Last night the inhaler didn’t help. We brought him here.” He paused; then his voice became frail and laced with emotion. “We thought he was going to die.”