Chapter 7 - The First Step Belini Was Never Supposed to See

Dr. Elena Ruiz refused to promise anything.

Luca hated that.

Emma trusted her for it.

They returned to a private rehabilitation suite before going after Salvatore.

Marco objected.

“We don’t have time.”

Ruiz looked at him.

“If you want him walking instead of permanently injured, you do.”

That ended the argument.

Seven years in a wheelchair had changed muscles, balance, bone density, everything.

Feeling returning did not mean standing would.

Standing did not mean walking would.

Luca listened.

Then said, “Today.”

Ruiz looked at him.

“No.”

“Today.”

“No.”

Emma almost smiled.

Someone else was winning.

Ruiz continued.

“We test controlled weight bearing. That is all.”

Luca looked at Emma.

“Why are you enjoying this?”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“A little.”

Belini sat near the window.

Still in red.

Less perfect now.

More human.

Gabriel stayed outside.

Marco stayed inside because nobody could remove him.

Ruiz locked braces around Luca’s legs.

Two therapists positioned themselves.

Emma stood where Luca could see her.

“Ready?” Ruiz asked.

“No,” Luca said.

Then gripped the parallel bars.

They lifted.

His arms took most of the weight.

His legs shook violently.

Emma’s breath caught.

Luca’s face tightened.

But he was upright.

For the first time in seven years.

Belini covered her mouth.

Marco looked away.

Ruiz remained clinical.

“Do not move.”

Luca looked down.

His left foot trembled.

Then settled.

“What do you feel?”

“Pressure.”

“Where?”

“Left heel.”

“And right?”

“Nothing.”

“Good.”

Luca looked offended.

Ruiz ignored it.

Thirty seconds.

Then he sat.

Sweating.

Angry.

Alive.

Emma handed him water.

“That was good.”

“It was standing.”

“For thirty seconds.”

“It was assisted.”

“You are impossible to encourage.”

“So I’m told.”

Belini spoke from the window.

“You looked taller.”

Luca stared at her.

She smiled faintly.

Then Marco’s phone rang.

“Boss.”

The room changed.

“What?”

“Mercer surfaced.”

“Where?”

“He entered the Grand Aurelia through the loading dock.”

Luca’s eyes hardened.

“Alone?”

“No.”

Marco turned the screen.

Security image.

Mercer.

Two men.

And Salvatore.

Alive.

Walking through Luca’s hotel like he owned it.

Belini whispered, “He wants the records.”

Emma frowned.

“What records?”

Luca understood.

“The baseline scans.”

Ruiz looked at him.

“If the original scans prove your nerves were functioning after the explosion, they prove the treatment was fraudulent.”

Marco nodded.

“And they destroy the incapacity trust.”

Salvatore needed them gone.

Luca moved toward his wheelchair.

Ruiz stopped him.

“You are not going.”

He looked at her.

“That was not a medical question.”

“No. It was medical judgment.”

Marco tried not to smile.

Emma failed.

Luca looked at her.

“You too?”

“You almost collapsed thirty seconds ago.”

“I sat down.”

“Very aggressively.”

Belini laughed.

It surprised everyone.

For one second, the room felt almost normal.

Then the fire alarm at the Grand Aurelia activated remotely.

Marco’s smile vanished.

“Evacuation.”

Luca’s face hardened.

“They’re clearing the building.”

Ruiz looked at him.

“Still not going.”

Luca turned to Emma.

“Bring me my coat.”

She stared.

“No.”

His eyebrows rose.

“No?”

“Use Marco.”

Marco looked offended.

Luca almost smiled.

Then Emma added, “I’m coming.”

“No.”

Now she smiled.

“Interesting word.”

Belini stood.

“So am I.”

Luca looked between both women.

“This is becoming irritating.”

Marco opened the door.

“Good. You’re recovering.”

At the Grand Aurelia, smoke alarms screamed.

No fire.

Guests flooded the lobby.

Security footage showed Salvatore descending toward the medical archive.

Luca watched from the control room.

Then another camera appeared.

Mercer stopped outside the archive door.

A hard case in his hand.

Ruiz recognized it immediately.

“Injection kit.”

Belini went pale.

“He still wants to dose Luca.”

Emma stared.

“Here?”

Marco’s expression darkened.

“Not if he expects resistance.”

Luca looked at the screen.

Then down at his own legs.

Salvatore had spent seven years believing Luca’s body belonged to him.

Luca’s voice became quiet.

“Open the archive corridor.”

Marco looked at him.

“Boss?”

“Let him think he still controls the floor.”

Emma understood.

“You’re setting a trap.”

Luca looked at her.

“No.”

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A faint smile.

“I’m letting an old man repeat a mistake.”