The library queen

Chapter 14 Crimson Room

Tires screeched against the wet courtyard stones.

Victor slammed on the brakes and kicked the door open before the truck fully stopped, scrambling to haul Renn out. Renn was pure dead weight, leaving a thick trail of dark blood across the leather.

Don splashing into the puddles, and grabbed Renn’s arm. Together, they dragged the bleeding Godfather down the stairs into the basement clinic. Maya ran right behind them, the rain plastering her ruined black silk gown to her skin.

Victor and Don heaved Renn’s massive frame onto the metal. Anna didn't waste a breath; she grabbed the trauma shears, ripping through his suit to expose the pulsing crimson wound.

"Clamps! Give me f*****g clamps!" Anna ordered, plunging her fingers directly into the flesh. "He’s losing too much. Victor, get the O-neg from the fridge! Move!"

Victor kicked the cabinet open and tossed two plastic bags of blood straight to her.

Maya backed up against the white tiled wall, her face a perfect stone facade. Her hands were covered in Renn’s blood, thick red drops dripping from her fingers onto the floor.

Don turned away from the table, wiping the rain from his forehead. His eyes locked onto Maya. He marched over until he blocked her view of the messy surgery.

"You want to tell me what the hell is going on, Maya?!" Don demanded.

"You went completely ghost!" Don barked, leaning in until his breath hit her face. "You deleted your numbers, your bank accounts—everything! Why didn't you come to me?!"

"Because they have Owen, Don!" Maya hissed, her voice cutting through the hum of the monitors. "Savier's people control the cardiology ward. They pay for his life support. They fund the experimental surgeries keeping my brother breathing. If I run, they pull the plug. You think your little shield can stop a flatline?"

Don froze, the fury in his jaw instantly turning into a cold, grim realization. "The heart ward..."

"They own the doctors, Don. They own his life," Maya whispered, wiping her face with her bloody hand, leaving a red streak across her cheek. "You want to fight them? You don't even know who holds the lease."

Don grabbed her by both shoulders, his grip digging hard into her skin. "We’ll get him out of there. I’ll get the precinct to put him under police protection. We can—"

"With what cops, Don?!" Maya snapped, violently tearing herself out of his grip. "Alvin Garden pays for your precinct! He owns Chief Addison!"

Don stepped back, he didn't argue. He just looked at her, his face settling into a terrifyingly calm expression. "Jesus, Maya... you married him."

"I signed a piece of paper," she spat, her eyes flashing with a dangerous fury. "I did what I had to do to buy Owen a future. I took the board."

"Look at your hands, Maya! They're turning you into a criminal!"

"They’re forcing me to survive!" Maya shot back, staring dead into his eyes.

The underground clinic reeked of bleach and copper. Dr. Anna ripped off her bloody gloves and slammed them into a hazard bin.

The door swung open. Victor stepped into the bright fluorescent hallway, using a clean towel to wipe the wet blood from his forearms.

"The doc finished the stitches," Victor said, his voice gravelly. "Renn’s stable. He’s gonna make it."

Victor tossed the towel aside, squaring his broad shoulders dead center in the hallway. "A replacement SUV is coming at dawn. Paid for by the family. My guys will escort you straight back to your home."

Don stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the linoleum. "I'm taking Maya with me. Step aside."

Victor didn't blink. He planted his boots wide, "She ain't going anywhere."

"She’s a civilian! She’s got zero training, and you assholes just dragged her into a firing squad! She's dead weight in your little war."

"You did us a favor tonight, Don," Victor said, his voice dropping into a lethal, steady rhythm as he leaned in close. "The boss respects muscle, and he pays his debts. But the girl stays inside the walls."

"She carries the Savier name now, she stays inside."

Soft footsteps clicked against the tiles. Maya walked out, wearing a heavy wool coat over her torn, blood-stained silk gown.

Don turned to her, his jaw clenching. "I can clear a path right now, Maya. We walk out that front gate together. Right now. Say the word."

Maya stood her ground, refusing to let her voice break. "I'm not leaving, Don. I have to stay here and take the board."

Don pointed a stiff finger at the surgery door. "They’re brainwashing you, Maya! The bastards are using Owen to keep you on a short leash!"

"Then I’ll learn how to swim." Maya said.

Don grabbed her wrist, his thumb pressing hard against her skin. "Don't do this. You go down this road, there's no coming back."

She turned around without looking back, marching straight into the medical suite. The heavy metal door slammed shut, and the lock engaged with a loud, final CLICK.

Morning light cut through the thick fog rolling off the harbor. The courtyard stones were still slick.

Victor walked up to Don near the stone archway, tossing him a set of silver keys. "The truck’s got upgraded armor plates in the doors. Think of it as a thank-you note from the family."

Don walked over to the SUV, pulled the heavy door open, and paused. He looked up at the towering grey walls of the east wing, his face settling into a terrifyingly calm expression.

He slid into the seat and cranked the engine, the massive V8 roaring to life. In front of him, the giant iron gates slowly groaned open. Two escort vehicles pulled into formation ahead of him.

Don slammed the truck into gear and threw his foot down on the gas, tearing through the threshold. Behind him, the heavy iron gates slammed shut with a deafening metallic boom.