Chapter 5 - The Return to the Mansion
By midday, the specialists confirmed that Wyatt was completely out of danger and would be transferred to a step-down ward within forty-eight hours.
After much persuasion from Mrs. Roz via phone, Josephine finally agreed to return to the Orsini estate for a few hours of rest before returning to Boston for the evening visiting hours.
The drive back was bathed in bright, cold afternoon sunlight.
Josephine sat in the passenger seat, no longer wearing her apron. It had been folded neatly and placed in a paper bag in the back. She wore a simple navy sweater Mrs. Roz had sent along with Gideon.
“You haven't slept,” she said quietly, looking across at Raphael.
“I don't sleep much,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the highway.
“Thank you, Mr. Orsini.” Her voice was small, but filled with a depth that reached into the dark corners of his mind. “Not just for the drive. The hospital administrator told me at noon that a charitable foundation had covered Wyatt's entire surgical bill.”
Raphael did not flinch. “The hospital has many donors.”
“Mrs. Roz told me once that the Orsini Trust funds three pediatric wings in New England,” Josephine said, her blue eyes fixing upon his profile. “You saved his life twice last night.”
Raphael remained silent, his jaw set tightly.
When they pulled up the winding driveway of the estate, the gates opened smoothly, but Josephine noticed a subtle change. There were four extra security guards standing at the stone pillars, wearing heavy coats that concealed armpit holsters.
As the car stopped outside the front doors, Gideon approached and opened the passenger door for Josephine.
“Mrs. Roz has prepared lunch for you in the kitchen, child,” Gideon said warmly. “Then you are to sleep in the guest room on the second floor.”
Josephine blinked, startled. “The guest room? But my quarters are in the basement service wing—”
“Orders from the top,” Gideon interrupted with a subtle smile, glancing over the roof of the car toward Raphael.
Josephine turned back to look at Raphael before stepping inside. “Mr. Orsini?”
Raphael paused with his key in the ignition. “Get some sleep, Miss Hartley. You have a long drive back to Boston tonight.”
May you like
She lingered for a moment, then nodded softly and stepped into the grand foyer, where Mrs. Roz immediately swept her into a tight, motherly embrace.
Raphael stepped out of the vehicle, his expression darkening as he turned to Gideon. “Gather the captains in the war room. It’s time we addressed Luca Moretti.”
