Slowly, carefully, she began to work. The process was delicate. It made her nervous. She needed all her focus.
Matteo's jaw clenched so hard she could hear his teeth grinding. His hands gripped the chair arms until his knuckles went white. Sweat formed on his forehead and ran down his face.
"I can feel it," Isabella said. Her voice was tight with focus. "It's deep, but I think."
"Take your time," Matteo said. But his voice was getting weaker.
"Don't you dare pass out on me," she said fiercely. "I need you awake. I need you talking."
"What... what do you want me to say?" he asked. He was struggling to stay conscious.
"Anything. Tell me about this place. Tell me how you found it," Isabella said. She kept working carefully.
"Bought it five years ago," Matteo said. His breathing was getting harder. "Needed somewhere... somewhere they couldn't find me."
"Who couldn't find you?" Isabella asked. She was grateful to keep him talking.
