CHAPTER 69 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
“KEEP YOUR HAND pressed against the wound,” I bark, as between Cal, me and Rob, we haul Dario’s massive bulk across the rear car park of the Scorpio Lounge.
Dario is barely conscious, and I’m not liking his rapidly graying complexion. He’s losing too much blood. He’s already lost pints.
“I’ve called the doctor, and he’s on his way,” Rob mutters as we stumble up the steps to the back door of my casino.
Glancing over my shoulder, I double-check Arianna is close behind.
“We’re fine,” Arianna calls, reading my mind as she pulls a hysterical Maria along beside her.
Yes, she’s already told me that. She’s told me a thousand times.
It was at her insistence that I deal with Dario and leave her to deal with Maria.
God, I love that woman, but that she very nearly could have been in Dario’s position haunts me, and I don’t like leaving her. I never do, and especially not now.
Rage swirls. Shouldering the fire escape door, I stumble forward as it opens far too easily. “What the fuck?” I roar, regaining my footing as we pile into the back corridor. “Why the hell is that door not properly locked?”
“What in Christ’s name has happened?” Oscar bolts towards us from the other end of the corridor, his face paling as he clocks the state of the man in our arms.
“Clear my desk! And hurry!” I yell. “Questions can be answered later.”
We follow Oscar as he darts into my office to swipe the mound of paperwork and pens off the top of my desk. Trampling through the mess on the floor, we arrange Dario as best as we can on the flat surface too short for his length.
“Dr Pelotti has turned up. He’s insisting that...” Liam stops in the doorway, his eyes widening. “What the...?”
“Get Pelotti in here,” I snarl, increasing pressure on the wound in Dario’s stomach. “Come on! We’re losing him. We’re fucking losing him!”
From behind Liam, Dr Pelotti scuttles into the office and goes straight into emergency mode. “Stand back!” His nasal voice cuts through the commotion, and we move to allow the little bespectacled surgeon to do his work.
I face Liam still hovering in the doorway. “Take Arianna and Maria upstairs and get them sorted. Don’t leave them for a second. I’ll be up as soon as I can.”
“Oh, you’ve got to be joking!” Liam scowls. “Have you heard that silly bitch? She’s wailing like a bastard banshee. Arianna’s dealing with her fine enough. Come on, bruv, I can’t stand her fucking noise. The woman is barking mad and...”
I grab Liam around the throat. “Does it look like I give a fuck what hurts your eardrums? Do what I said and do it now before I kill you! Go and look after my wife and her sister, Liam. NOW!”
Blinking, Liam turns on his heels and disappears into the corridor, leaving me to turn back to the scene in front of me just as Dr Pelotti loads the first pint of blood into the line in Dario’s vein.
His shirt has been cut open, and I can now see the full extent of the gunshot wound. The blood being pumped into his body flows back out as fast as it goes in.
“Hold his shoulders.” The doctor nods to Oscar and Rob. “The others grab his legs. There’s no time for anesthetic.”
Me and Rob jump to hold Dario’s legs, leaving Pelotti delving in the wound with his pliers. If he can get the bullet out, he’ll know what damage has been done and whether things are good or bad.
My heart bangs harder knowing that many stomach wounds don’t heal.
This man, who proved more loyal than anything within a day of talking to him, could die. It’s only because of him that Arianna still exists in this world, therefore I owe him everything.