After what felt like hours, Queen had finally finished her work and was suturing the last of Cold’s wounds closed. Abigail helped her roll him over to clean up all the remaining blood and apply a thick bandage. Then she stripped off her bloody gloves, handing them off to Abigail to dispose of along with the soiled instruments.
Waving at Jimmy, she ordered, “Come on, Casanova. Make yourself useful.”
Jimmy gently slid off the bed, helping Queen pull a fresh sheet over Cold. Underneath its cover, she pulled off the last of Cold’s bloody clothing, leaving him naked underneath. She passed the mess over to Abigail, who quickly made it vanish.
Abigail removed the IVs, placing small bandages over the sites while Queen watched her carefully.
“Want some free advice, lover boy?” Queen asked, glancing away from Abigail’s work and quirking a finely manicured brow.
“What?” Jimmy asked softly.
“All that deathbed goopy love shit?” Queen replied briskly. “If it was important enough for you to say then, make sure you remember to say it when he can hear you.”
Jimmy gulped. He had told Rod he loved him. He loved him so very much.
Smiling weakly, he said, “Thanks. I will.”
Queen turned her head, addressing the other Gentlemen as well. “He’ll be fine. He’ll be weak from the blood loss, but he’ll recover. I’ve given him antibiotics to ward off any possible infection and left enough painkillers to take out a few horses.” She looked back at Jimmy. “Keep the wounds clean, check for any signs of infection, and keep him on strict bedrest. Or at least in bed.”
“Got it,” Jimmy said eagerly, wiping at his eyes.
“Call me if you need me,” she said curtly, cutting her eyes at Jules as she asked, “I expect my usual house call fee?”
“Done and done, Doc,” Jules replied with a smirk.
Crawling back into bed beside Cold, Jimmy hated how the tarp crinkled as he moved but was desperate to be close to him. He watched as all the Gentlemen came by to pay their respects, a nod or small murmur.
None of them touched him except Rowena who bent down to kiss his forehead, sniffling at Jimmy, “You take care of him, okay? I’m right down the hall if you need me.”
Jimmy took her hand and squeezed it tight. “Don’t worry, I will. I promise.”
Rowena tried to smile, but the tears wouldn’t stop coming and she left quickly, Pym gently offering his arm to guide her out. Lorre and Tamerlane followed, Thirdsies and Valdemar soon after. Jerry and Jules helped Abigail take down the light and clean up while Queen supervised. It was that moment when Jimmy realized there was one Gentleman missing.
Corman wasn’t here.
Not that Jimmy was unhappy about that. Of all the Gentlemen, Corman bothered him the most. Just thinking about how he had looked at him that night at the club made his skin crawl with a fresh batch of heebie jeebies.
“Nice work, Doc,” Jules rumbled as the last of the makeshift operating room was packed away. “We appreciate it. Cold is mighty important to us.”
“Trust me. He’ll be fine,” Queen said with a warm smile that seemed unusual for her given her cold bedside manner.
Maybe it was a special smile, Jimmy thought, reserved just for Jules, considering the way it made him grin like a little schoolboy.
Jerry didn’t seem to be a fan of the situation, casting a longing gaze toward Queen. He quickly insinuated himself between them, asking sweetly, “MademoiselleQueen, please tell me what can I do to assist you?”
“Could you help Abigail carry out the equipment?” Queen replied shortly. “Thank you, you’re such a dear.”
“Anything for you,mademoiselle,” Jerry said with a warm smile, giving Jules a nasty glare before he obediently left with Abigail.
For once, Jules had no responding glare for Jerry, too focused on Queen as he reached for her hand and gently pressed a kiss to it. “You’re one hell of a broad, Doc.”
Queen actually blushed, laughing quietly, “Why, thank you, Mr. Price.”
“When ya gonna let me take you out,” Jules asked, still holding her hand. “Let me thank you proper like.”
“Oh, never,” she teased softly. “I don’t date my patients.”
“You ain’t doctorin’ on me right now,” Jules protested with a charming smile, “but we could play doctor later if ya’d like.”
