Page 47 of Midnight Salvation

“Lucrezia’s wound is bleeding and the hospital are being difficult about home visits.” Papa’s foot tapped a rhythmic beat. “Thank you.”

He hung up and stared out the window. His phone rang again a few minutes later.

“Hello? Yes, that is correct. Thank you, doctor, I’ll see you soon.”

Catarina’s eyes were huge orbs. “Who has more influence than Papa?” she whispered.

There was only one man who Papa would phone about my health. The same man who had already killed for me. When Ash wanted something done, nothing stood in his way, not even hospital protocol.

“I wish you’d stop fussing,” I called out. “I’m a slow healer.”

Papa threw me a filthy look on his way past and I smelt the familiar scent of one of his cigars a few minutes later. He never smoked inside—Madison told me a few years ago that Mama had forbidden him to, and even now he obeyed the rules she put in place.

The doctor appeared suitably harassed when he arrived. His car had been between two of the black cars I now associated with Ash’s security team. I bit the inside of my mouth to stop the whimper of pain that threatened to emerge when he removed the bandage at the front.

“You must be in a lot of pain,” he said. “Is there a reason why you didn’t come back to the hospital?”

I produced my best fake smile. “I’m fine, everyone keeps telling me it was a flesh wound. I tend to be a slow healer.”

“This has nothing to do with your healing ability. I need you in to take x-rays and some swabs, as it looks infected.”

My heart plummeted. “Maybe I can take antibiotics here?” I queried.

“Or maybe you could take medical advice and come to the hospital.” His gaze bored into me in a battle of wills. I looked away first because I knew he was right even though I hated the prospect of returning to hospital and the security teams having to be spread thinner.

“Fine, but no ambulances,” I muttered.

He nodded. “I’ll head there now and start to organise tests. Pack a bag, as you’ll be in for a few days.” I opened my mouth to object but he held his hand up. “I piece the guys I work for back together all the time and turn a blind eye to them not following my advice. My direction is that you are to receive the best possible care or there will be consequences. So, for the sake of my pet cat who will be an orphan if anything happens to me, please do what I say.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. “He just worries.”

“Don’t we all, but those guys are a law unto themselves. I’ll see you shortly.” He patted my leg and left me sitting alone in the library.

He’d obviously spoken to Catarina on the way out, because she wandered in. “I’ll go and pack you a bag. I wish you had told me sooner that you weren’t feeling well.”

“You worry too much.” I tried to stand up but the room swam around me.

Catarina rushed forward and made me sit down. “I don’t worry enough. The doctor said that they can set up a bed for me in the corner of the room so I can stay with you.” She gave me a flirtatious look with pursed lips. “I wonder if he’s available.”

I almost groaned as she giggled and almost skipped out of the room.

Since I was alone, I lifted my phone and hit the speed dial for Ash.

“Hey.” His voice was deep and I wanted to curl up beside it. “How are you doing?”

A tear escaped that I furiously brushed away. “The doctor says I have to go to hospital, but—”

“Stop,” he instructed. “If that’s his advice, then that’s what we’re doing.”

“I’m scared. Mama kept going in and out of hospital.”

“Don’t be. Paul is a good guy and a great doctor. We go way back and he’s fixed more bullet wounds than I can count.”

“I saw your photographs this morning.” I changed the direction of the conversation away from me.

“Ugh,” he groaned. “I thought you promised not to read the gossip pages.”

“Turns out that I lied. As your business partner, I feel that it is my duty to inform you that I think your choice of engagement ring is obnoxious.”

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