For about forty-five minutes, Victor had been standing near the door, waiting for someone to come in and share his wife’s progress. And, for forty-five minutes, Lincoln had been standing right next to him. Since Victor had forbidden them all from speaking to him about anything going on in the outside world, the conversation was kept to a minimum. Under no circumstances was anyone to mention anything about the election, and especially, the leaked sex tape.
“What’s going on with Luc?” Victor asked with a frown.
Lincoln had been so busy watching his oldest brother, he hadn’t noticed Lucas. He was on a phone call, and judging from his stressed expression, the news he was receiving wasn’t good. Since he didn’t want Victor to be bothered by whatever was going on with Lucas, Lincoln excused himself and walked over to his other brother. As soon as he approached him, he ended the call. The look on his face was cause for concern.
“What’s going on? Who was that?”
“That was Donna.”
The mention of her name, and the fact that she was calling Lucas instead of him, gave him a feeling of dread.
“Their family was ambushed outside of her parents’ home,” he said as if he didn’t believe the words that were coming out of his own mouth.
“What?” Lincoln breathed.
“Bella suffered a head injuring from a fall, but Mr. Devereaux was shot four times.”
“What?!”
Whatever small amount of chatter that was going on in the room ceased with Lincoln’s outburst.
“He shoved Bella to the ground and used his body as a shield. He just got out of surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Bella has a concussion, but she’ll be fine.”
“Donna?” Every single nerve in his body had awakened.
He held his breath and waited for his brother to respond.
“Donna was unharmed.”
His somber tone provided no comfort. Lincoln was sure there was more to tell. Since he was too nervous to speak, he gave his brother a look that urged him to continue.
“She’s physically okay, but she didn’t sound too good.”
Lincoln exhaled. “That’s expected. Her dad was shot, and her sister was hurt.”
“Those bullets were meant for her,” Lucas revealed sympathetically. “The shooting was retaliatory.”
“Retaliatory from whom?”
“The BOC.”
Lincoln’s mouth flew open. He knew the Blood of the Chosen was easily capable of committing unthinkable crimes, but he had to admit, he didn’t see murder as one of them. But why not murder? They were capable of human trafficking, horrible child labor practices, and physical abuse. How very naive he’d been to have not been more concerned for Donatella’s safety.
“Where is she? What hospital?”
“The family is at Christ Hospital on the southside, but Donna left. She said she couldn’t stay anymore. I think the guilt is getting to her.”
Lincoln nodded. The guilt might have been getting to her, but that definitely wasn’t why she left.
“I’m headed out,” Lucas told him. “Call me when we have news.”
Lincoln shook his head. “Can’t, I gotta make a run. Do me a favor… speak to dad. Ask him to call us when there’s news.”
“Why can’t you—”
The door opened, cutting off Lucas’ protest. A woman, presumably the doctor, entered. The smile on her face elicited sighs of relief throughout the room.
“Mom and baby are doing well,” she happily announced.
