Chapter 7 - The Gathering Storm
Wednesday brought a cold, persistent drizzle that turned the estate grounds into a sea of mud.
With Tommy’s treatment secured, my official duties were nearly complete. Liam’s fever was gone, his leg pins were clean, and his incision was healing cleanly. By all medical logic, I should have been preparing my bags to leave on Friday.
Yet the thought of stepping into that town car and driving away from this estate made my stomach twist into knots.
I was changing his dressing in the study when Leo entered, his face pale as chalk.
“Liam,” Leo said, setting a tablet on the desk. “Carmine called an emergency meeting of the five families for tomorrow afternoon at the Drake Hotel. He’s claiming you’re dead and demanding a vote to liquidate your assets.”
Liam didn't flinch. “Then we give him a surprise appearance.”
“You can't travel to downtown Chicago!” I interjected, slamming my scissors down onto the tray. “A two-hour car ride will cause fluid accumulation in your leg! The vibrations alone could dislodge the bone pins!”
Liam looked at me, his expression resolute. “If I don't go, Clara, my men die. Carmine will execute every person loyal to me, including Leo. My recovery means nothing if I have no kingdom left to return to.”
“Then I’m coming with you,” I stated flatly.
Both Liam and Leo stared at me.
“No,” Liam snapped instantly. “It’s a war zone.”
“I am your attending medical officer,” I argued, stepping into his space, crossing my arms over my chest. “If you hemorrhage in the back of a limousine, Leo doesn't know how to clamp a femoral artery. I do. If I go, you have a sixty percent chance of surviving the day. If I stay here, you’ll bleed out in an alley before the vote even starts.”
Liam’s jaw flexed as he fought his own logic. He looked at my fierce, unwavering eyes, then down at his damaged leg.
May you like
“You wear a bulletproof vest,” Liam bargained, his voice tight. “You stay in the armored car with two guards until I clear the room. If anything goes wrong, Leo drags you out of the city immediately.”
“Deal,” I said.
