Chapter 3 - Ghosts In The Marble
The grandfather clock in Dominic's study chimed midnight, its steady ticking filling the expansive room with an eerie rhythm. Dr. Marcus Thorne worked with mechanical efficiency beside the sofa, running IV lines and suturing the deep gash across Elena's brow.
""She suffered a severe concussion, two fractured ribs, and acute internal bleeding,"" Marcus said quietly, not looking up from his suture needle. ""She fell hard, but she was struck first. Blunt force trauma to the back of the neck.""
Dominic stood near the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, watching the neon veins of the city below. In the corner armchair, the child had finally collapsed into exhausted sleep, curled up around her stuffed rabbit under a cashmere throw.
""Will she wake?"" Dominic asked, his gaze fixed on the reflection of the child in the glass.
""Her vitals are stabilizing thanks to the saline and plasma,"" Marcus replied. ""A hospital would be safer, Dominic. If her intracranial pressure spikes—""
""No hospitals,"" Dominic cut him off sharply. ""Whoever chased her into this building has eyes on public facilities. She stays here.""
Marcus cleaned his hands with antiseptic wipes, packing away his surgical instruments. ""Then you need answers, and quickly. She didn't come here by accident. Your residence is an impenetrable fortress.""
""Someone let her through the service elevator,"" Dominic murmured, turning around. ""Someone inside my security perimeter.""
Suddenly, Elena let out a sharp, ragged gasp. Her fingers convulsed against the leather upholstery, tearing at the cushions. Dominic was at her side in a heartbeat, his hand instinctively catching her wrist.
Her eyelids fluttered open, her pupils dilated and swimming in haze. ""Dominic..."" she whispered, her voice like cracked glass.
""I'm here, Elena. You're safe.""
May you like
Her grip tightened with surprising strength, nails digging into his skin. ""Not me... Maya. He... he knows she exists. The Morozov ledger... it's inside the rabbit.""
Before Dominic could respond, the penthouse lights abruptly plunged into complete darkness.
