Page 13 of Tainted Blood

“Since when do you care about the other families?” Connor asks me.

“I don’t, but going to war with other pricks isn’t something I want. Any sense of weakness, and we’ll have a problem. You know that as much as I do. By the way, I’ve got to go. I’ll check the damn car, but I’m guessing the car isn’t there and he tossed the tracker out on the road.” Jack MacNamara Sr. was shady as hell and he proved he isn’t above killing his own children.

“Okay. Just be careful, and call us,” Jack tells me. I nod and then book it out of my brother’s house. Finding that car, or my sperm donor, is important. If I get my hands on my father, he’s going to wish that he died in the fire.

I creep up to the spot and see his vehicle on the side of the road. From my angle, it’s clear there’s no one inside it. “Where the fuck did that bastard go?” I mutter under my breath. The wind is starting to howl, and the smell of the fire is taking over all of my senses. Damn it, he planned this extremely well.

It’s still clear there’s no one in the vehicle, and it’s no longer running. As I get closer to it, an uncomfortable feeling comes over me. That’s when I feel it; the burning sensation hits me in the shoulder. My gut instinct has me reacting on autopilot, but then another shot gets me in the chest. I pull out my gun and aim in the direction that I felt the burn. I fire off six rounds and hear a yelp. So, I managed to hit the vile piece of dirt.

Suddenly a vehicle comes speeding around me. The vehicle stops, and I hear someone approach but I’m losing consciousness. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“Good luck, you stupid bastard. My brothers will hunt you down, and you will dieslowly.”

He fires another round into my thigh. “They come after me, and I’ll kill them too,” he grunts out, breathing labored. There’s a mocking laugh, and then the footsteps retreat.At least I hit the bastard, I think, smirking to myself. I close my eyes and hope my brothers get revenge for me.

Chapter Seven

Calista

Six medical students, including me, stand in a circle, waiting for the Head Surgeon, Dr. Stevens, to address us. His expression is grim, and the tension within me builds. This is our first rotation in the ER, so I’m sure we’re all nervous. “Students, we need everyone to go down to the lab and donate blood, if possible.”

“What’s going on, Dr. Stevens?” Jacob asks.

“Today’s shift is going to be a crazy one. There has been a massive multi-car pile-up, and the victims are being brought in. We are in short supply of blood this month and in dire need over the next few days. Please head down in pairs and then come back to assist. The surgeons are already working on the first set of accident victims with the supplies we have, but we could use more as some will need transfusions over the next couple of days.”

We all stand there, stunned, stealing glances between each other when he adds, “Now. Move it.” He claps his hands together, and we rush out of the room, nearly tripping over each other.

Jacob and I head down together. “Was this in our contract with the program?” Jacob asks, grumbling his displeasure.

“I don’t know, but it’s not a big deal for me. Besides, we’re here to save lives, and that’s what I hope to do. Donating blood isn’t a big deal,” I answer, unbothered by it all. I just hope I have enough iron in my blood to donate. It’s my time of the month, so my hemoglobin might be a little low.

He shrugs, but I can see it’s bothering him. “You’re right, but my ass doesn’t like being told what to do.” I roll my eyes because we’re told how to breathe every second of every day since we started med school. If he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t be in year three.

I give him a light shrug. “Yeah, right. Just admit you’re afraid of needles.”

“I’m not afraid,” he says, but the truth is in his eyes. He’s scared shitless.

We enter the blood donation center, and we’re immediately stopped by men in suits. They see our badges and let us in. That’s when we spot who they’re protecting. Governor Donovan Saunders has just finished giving blood and is putting on his sport coat.

“Sir,” I say with a nod as we pass each other.

“I can’t believe you addressed the governor,” Jacob gasps, whispering over my shoulder, trying to figure out if I’m going to get in trouble.

“Why? It’s polite to greet someone in passing, especially when you know them.”

There’s a light tap on my shoulder, and I turn around to see the governor smiling at me. “Hello, Callie. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you right away.”

I smile at the older gentleman. I’m sure I look a little different since the last time he saw me. “It’s okay, Sir. I understand you’re busy.”

“It’s good to see that your dream is coming true.”

“Thank you.” He pulls me in close and gives me a kiss on my cheek. I see a man with blondish gray hair staring at us as he waits for his turn to donate. The man scrunches his eyes, narrowing them as his jaw flexes in annoyance. He’s sitting beside a beautiful woman who places her hand on his left shoulder as if she’s trying to calm him. I raise a brow, wondering what his problem is. Before I can see if the governor’s guards noticed, he stares at the woman next to him.

We break our hug, and he says, “Tell your grandparents I said hello.”

“I will.” He walks away, and then I return to my task.

“I can’t believe you know the governor. You never told me that.” Jacob’s reaction would be funny if we didn’t have an audience. I want to shush him, but I just answer his unspoken question.

---