Alessia
When I wake from the transplant operation, I’m alone in my room.
My worst fear again. Where’s Mika? Why hasn’t Vlad come to see me?
The door opens and three of my brothers march through—Junior, Gio and Paolo.
“There she is, eyes open this time,” Gio says with the fake jolliness you use with the ill or underage.
I should be happy to see them, but all I feel is fear on Vlad’s behalf. Have they hurt him? I didn’t get a chance to tell them not to.
“Where’s Vlad?”
Paolo scowls. “In recovery.”
I try to sit up, but it hurts too much. “What did you do to him?”
Junior shoots me a strange look. “He just gave you his kidney. Did you know that?”
My mouth falls open. “No.” It clicks into place. Why he was with the doctors instead of in my room before the surgery.
“It’s the only reaso
