Chapter 10 - BLOOD DEBT
I threw the crowbar.
Again.
Apparently throwing objects at armed criminals had become my thing.
The crowbar hit Victor’s shoulder.
His shot went wide.
Adrian’s men opened fire.
Victor disappeared behind the containers.
“Papa!”
Leo ran toward Adrian.
I grabbed him.
“No!”
Adrian was still conscious.
Barely.
“Take him,” he ordered.
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Emma.”
“No.”
Blood ran between his fingers.
The bullet had hit his side.
“Your son needs you alive.”
His eyes met mine.
“Then help me stay that way.”
We dragged him behind cover.
His security team pushed Victor’s men back.
Sirens sounded somewhere in the distance.
“Police?” I asked.
Thomas appeared.
“My people.”
Adrian laughed weakly.
“That isn’t comforting.”
I pressed both hands against his wound.
He winced.
“Sorry.”
“You’re terrible at this.”
“You got shot. This isn’t Yelp.”
He actually smiled.
Then his face went pale.
“Stay with me.”
“I’m here.”
“No. Look at me.”
I did.
His hand closed around my wrist.
“If something happens—”
“Nothing is happening.”
“Emma.”
“No.”
“Take Leo.”
My throat closed.
“I’m not taking anybody anywhere because you’re not dying.”
“Promise me.”
“Stop.”
“Promise.”
I hated him.
I hated the blood.
I hated his calm voice.
I hated that I suddenly cared whether this frightening, impossible man lived.
“I promise,” I whispered.
His eyes closed.
“Adrian!”
Medics arrived.
They loaded him into an ambulance.
Leo refused to release his hand.
At the hospital, surgery lasted three hours.
I sat beside Leo.
Thomas sat across from us.
I couldn’t look at him.
“You should sleep,” he said.
“Don’t parent me.”
Pain crossed his face.
Good.
“I deserve that.”
“Yes.”
“Emma, I tried to protect you.”
“By disappearing?”
“Your mother demanded it.”
“Convenient.”
“She knew people would use you against us.”
“And she was right.”
Thomas had no answer.
Near dawn, the surgeon came out.
“He’s alive.”
My whole body sagged.
“The bullet missed his liver. He lost significant blood, but he’ll recover.”
Leo buried his face against me.
I held him.
Thomas watched.
Then he said, “You love that child.”
“Yes.”
“And his father?”
I looked up sharply.
“No.”
Thomas almost smiled.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Before I could answer, a nurse approached.
“Emma Carter?”
“Yes.”
“A man left this for you.”
She handed me a small wooden box.
Blue velvet.
Brass lock.
My mother’s jewelry box.
My hands went numb.
Inside was a note.
May you like
Three words.
ROOM 314. TONIGHT.
