Chapter 30: Unspoken
Rachel’s POV
By the time we arrived at Rosa Villa, Marcus’s breathing had grown more labored, and Anna’s composed facade was beginning to crack around the edges. I parked as close to the entrance as possible, then rushed to open the back door.
"I’ll prepare a guest room," I said, hurrying ahead to unlock the door while Ms. Shaw helped Marcus from the car. His imposing height made the task difficult, but somehow she managed to support him as they slowly made their way inside.
I moved quickly through the villa, selecting the room that had until recently been Sean’s temporary quarters. It seemed the most appropriate clean, recently vacated, and on the ground floor, which would spare Mr. Murphy the effort of climbing stairs. I hastily changed the sheets and turned down the bed before rushing back to help.
Anna was guiding Marcus down the hallway, his arm draped heavily across her shoulders. Despite the obvious strain, she refused my offer of assistance with a quick shake of her head.
"Uncle Marcus," she said as she helped him onto the bed, "I’m sorry about the accommodations. This room was recently occupied, but it’s clean. You’ll have to make do until we figure out what to do next."
In the bright overhead light of the bedroom, the full extent of Marcus’s injury became visible. His black dress shirt was soaked through with blood, the dark fabric glistening wetly where it clung to his abdomen. As he shifted position, a fresh surge of crimson seeped between the fingers still pressed against the wound.
Anna’s reaction was immediate and visceral. Her face drained of all color, eyes widening in horror before she clapped a hand over her mouth and bolted from the room. The abrupt departure seemed to surprise even Marcus, whose eyebrows rose slightly despite his pain.
I rushed after Ms. Shaw, finding her hunched over the toilet in the adjacent bathroom. I grabbed a bottle of water from the nearby mini-fridge and hurried to her side.
"Ms. Shaw, are you alright?" I asked, concern overwhelming professional distance as I knelt beside her.
She waved me away weakly, still unable to speak as another wave of nausea overtook her.
"Go," she finally managed, her voice raw. "Check on Mr. Murphy."