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A distant look crossed Val’s face. “What about a sibling?”
You could’ve heard a pin drop. No one said anything until a fiery redhead attacked him like a linebacker. “Val, no! I know you want to help her, but it’s major surgery! We just got Santi back, and I can’t…” Tears spilled down her face. “…I can’t risk losing you too.”
He leaned down and kissed her on the head. “Adriana is my sister. She just risked her life to save our son. I owe her more than a kidney, Cereza. I owe her my life. We both do.”
The doctor offered a sympathetic smile. “I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. There are blood tests that need to be done, as well as X-rays and abdominal CT scan. Not to mention the follow-up tests that must be analyzed a minimum of three days later. This isn’t an immediate procedure, Mr. Carrera.”
Val cracked a brittle smile. “Perhaps that’s true for most of your patients. However, I’m sure you’d prefer the details of your trip to Monterrey remain private just as much as I’d prefer to stop discussing extraneous tests that aren’t any of my concern.”
The doctor’s face blanched. I had no idea what happened in Monterrey, but apparently, it was enough to bypass hospital protocol.
“Of course, Mr. Carrera, but even siblings only have a twenty five percent chance of being a perfect match, and only a fifty percent chance of being a half match.”
Val kissed Eden again, prying away from the death grip she had on his arm. “Go check on Santi. I have some odds to beat.”
Six hours later, I paced again, this time for an entirely different reason, but no less impatiently. I also had company as Cristiano, Leighton, and Mateo followed in line behind me. We were a train of anxiety, unsure if we’d arrive at our destination or derail and crash.
Until Eden appeared, her face chalky. “He beat the odds,” she whispered.
I stepped forward, too afraid to hope. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s a perfect match.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Adriana
Tethered.
That was the only way to describe the feeling. Suspended in a quiet, private space high above the world. Like a hot air balloon still anchored to the ground. I looked down as the world still went on without me, but I remained tethered by a cord.
Beeps and voices hummed below me, but where I floated, it was peaceful. I glanced down at the rope holding me down and wondered what would happen if I cut it. Where would I go? Would I come back?
Maybe I didn’t want to. Up here, the air was clear. I could breathe. I didn’t cough. I didn’t shake. I wasn’t cold. I wasn’t tired. I wasn’t sick.
“Pretty, isn’t it?”
I spun around to see a dark-haired woman in a white flowing dress and familiar warm chocolate eyes dotted with gold. I’d seen her before. Not here, but in a dream.
“Mamá? How’d you get in here?”
She laughed, the soft, lyrical sound of her voice carried by the breeze. “I’ve always been with you, cariño.
“Where am I?”
“Your safe place. This is where you keep all your memories.”
I shook my head, my head suddenly feeling heavy. “I can’t remember any.”
She lifted a hand, brushing my hair back. “Yes, you do.”
* * *
Guadalajara
Fifteen years ago
I twisted my fingers together while standing outside Papá’s office. I knew he was busy, and it was forbidden, but the sound drew me near.
