As I walked, each step causing me excruciating pain, the conflicting voices in my head reminded me that Adele was Mark's sister. They urged me to turn back, to stick to the plan. But I couldn't recall ever denying myself anything, and the desire to see Adele before I crashed overwhelmed any rational thinking. Yes, she was going to be my nurse, a terrible plan I had consciously orchestrated, knowing I was throwing her into a dangerous situation. But she was the enforcer's sister, and once she arrived at my house, there was no other role she could play but that of my nurse. I had to play my part and distance myself from her, for both our sakes. But before the mask came on, I had this one chance to speak with her, to connect.
Clutching the key card in my hand, I stood in front of her suite's
