IZABELLA
My entire body froze at the sound of his voice, and I felt Xavier tense beside me before he turned around.
When he did, Ignazio came into view over his shoulder, and for a brief second, my chest loosened with relief.
But it was short-lived.
The expression on Ignazio’s face could only be described as murderous as he took in both of us.
I knew how this looked. God, I knew.
I didn’t know how Ignazio got to the hospital, or by what divine intervention he was here at this very moment, but despite my surprise and the small flicker of relief inside me, I knew exactly how this looked.
Xavier shifted backward slightly, but he still kept his grip on my elbow. It was subtle—very subtle—but I caught the moment he swallowed before he spoke.
“Ignazio Narducci,” he said, his voice sli
