The drive to the hospital was tense and silent. Harrison focused on the road, replaying his approach to Rachel in his mind. He knew she’d be furious seeing Luca, but he also knew they needed her help. Beside him, Luca looked calm, but Harrison sensed his brother’s mind working just as intensely, planning his next steps.
When they reached the hospital, Harrison paused outside Rachel’s door, taking a steadying breath. He wasn’t sure how Rachel would react, especially with Luca here. But there was no choice-they needed that USB drive, and time was running out.
Pushing open the door quietly, he found Rachel asleep, her breathing soft and steady. The sight of her lying there, still and peaceful, stirred a wave of guilt in Harrison. She’d already sacrificed so much for them.
Emma, who had been sitting quietly by Rachel’s bedside, looked up as they entered. She quickly moved over to Rachel and gently shook her shoulder. “Rachel, wake up,” Emma whispered, glancing warily at Luca.
Rachel stirred, her eyes blinking open. She looked at Harrison first, a soft smile of relief crossing her face. But then her gaze shifted to Luca, and her expression hardened instantly. Anger flashed in her eyes as she pushed herself up, wincing slightly.
“What is he doing here?” Rachel demanded, her voice low and simmering with anger. “How did you even get out of prison, Luca? And why are you here?”
Luca opened his mouth to respond, but Harrison quickly stepped in, sensing the rising tension. He placed a hand on Luca’s shoulder to hold him back and spoke gently to Rachel.
“Rachel, please, just hear me out,” Harrison said, his voice calm yet urgent. “I got Luca out because we need his help. Mr. Blackwood is still out there, and he’s more dangerous than ever. We don’t have time to waste. The evidence you have… it’s our best chance to stop him.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting between Harrison and Luca. “You brought him here, thinking I’d just hand over the USB?” she replied, a note of disbelief in her tone. “After everything he’s done?”
Emma placed a reassuring hand on Rachel’s arm, silently urging her to listen. She could feel the tension radiating from her friend and knew how deep the hurt ran, but she also understood the stakes. They had a chance to bring down Mr. Blackwood, and this evidence might be their only shot.
“Rachel,” Emma said softly, “I know this is hard. But if we’re going to stop Blackwood, we need everything we have. Think of all the people he’s hurt… all the lives he’s destroyed. We can end this.”
Rachel’s eyes softened slightly as she looked at Emma, her defenses wavering. Finally, after a long pause, she took a steadying breath and nodded. “Fine,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But this doesn’t mean I trust him.”
Harrison exhaled a sigh of relief, nodding gratefully at Rachel. “Thank you, Rachel,” he said, his tone sincere. “You’re doing the right thing.”
Rachel reached into her bag beside the bed and pulled out the small USB drive, her fingers lingering on it for a moment before she handed it over to Harrison. Her gaze lingered on Luca, distrust clear in her eyes, but she chose not to say anything more.
With the USB in hand, Harrison glanced at Luca, a silent understanding passing between them. This was their chance to finally bring Blackwood down. Harrison nodded, then turned to Rachel, giving her one last look of gratitude before they headed for the door.