Page 38 of The Friend Scheme
Inside, most of my family has gathered. We fill almost the entire space. Everyone looks tired and drained. It’s Millers only, no allied families.
Everyone glances my way. A few of them sneer at me.
Luke was right. I should’ve been here right away, as I’m sure Luke was. And yet, I wasn’t.
They don’t need it, but this is clearly another strike against me.
Luke goes across the room and sits down. I sit beside him.
And we wait.
After a few hours, a doctor finally steps into the waiting room. I’ve never felt so sick.
We all huddle around the doctor. Luke is closest to her.
“Just tell us,” he says. “Is he okay?”
“It was touch-and-go for a second there, but it’s looking good,” says the doctor. She’s in blue scrubs and holding a clipboard. “We managed to get the bullets out and stop the bleeding. He’s expected to make a full recovery. Your old man’s quite the fighter.”
Relief washes over the crowd.
He’s going to be okay.
“We’ll keep him in an induced coma for the next few days, to give his body some time to heal. You’ll be able to sit with him during visiting hours, but for now, I advise you all to go home and get some rest. It’s been a long night, but the worst is over.”
Vince goes up to her and shakes her hand. As he does, I notice he’s handed her a wad of cash.
He wants her to keep this quiet.
I shouldn’t be surprised. I know my family has a foothold in most major institutions in the city. If they scratch our back, we’ll scratch theirs. Not passing on this information to the police is one of the things they can do.
“Hey, Matt,” says Luke.
“Yeah?”
“A word?”
Luke takes me down a hallway to find a quiet spot. We stop beside a vending machine, and he tucks his hands into his armpits. The lights here are so bright my eyes sting.
“I think someone should stay here,” he says. “In case something happens.”
“Yeah, same.”
I think I know where he wants me to go with this.
“You go,” I say. “I’ll take first watch.”
He looks totally wiped out. His hair is messy, and there are angry dark circles under his eyes.
“You sure?” he asks.
“Yeah. Get some rest, dude, you’re done.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll go sleep, then we’ll swap in the morning?”
“Sure.”
“Cool, thanks.”
