“What hospital?!” he shouted as he ran out of the room. Kena ran out behind him. Not surprisingly, Gregor was waiting for him just outside his office. Victor turned to Kena for an answer.
“She’s at Northwestern. I already called your driver. The car is waiting downstairs.”
“Call the hospital. I want an update by the time I get to the car,” Victor ordered.
“I’ll call from the car. I’m coming with you.”
Victor didn’t argue. Having Kena close by in an emergency had always proven advantageous. Instead, he dialed Taylor’s parents. He didn’t want them finding out what happened to their daughter on the news.
* * *
It waslike déjà vu when Victor rushed through the sliding doors of the emergency room. It was like a horrible reoccurring nightmare when he approached the desk. Only, this time, he didn’t have to say a word. Every employee behind the desk knew exactly why he was there and who he was there to see.
Just like before, the place was filled with cops. More cops than patients. The chatter from their radios filled the emergency room with loud, white noise. Victor ignored the huddle of higher-ups, including Superintendent O’Conner, and focused on the people behind the desk.
“This way, Governor,” said a woman that appeared in the hall.
With Kena, Gregor, and his security detail in tow, Victor followed her down a hall.
“You are?” Victor asked.
“I’m Dr. Suzanne Greer. I’m treating your wife.”
“And?”
“And…your wife is resting comfortably.” She looked over at his entourage, spoke softly. “Should we speak in private?”
Victor shook his head. “Won’t be necessary.”
There was no point in keeping secrets from Gregor or Kena. Other than Taylor, they were the only people he saw damn near every single day of his life.
“Well, Sir, it’s like I said. Officer Creed is recovering well.”
It irked him to no end to hear the doctor refer to his wife as Officer Creed. With a passion, he hated her fucking job. Whether she liked it or not, she was done.
“Go on,” Victor urged in a harsher tone than he intended.
“She was shot once in the shoulder. Thankfully, it was a through and through, no damage to any major arteries or organs. However, Sir, since your wife is pregnant, I was more concerned with the trauma from two shots that she took in the vest. Even though the vest stopped the bullets, the impact could be equivalent to a car accident.”
“But Taylor is okay, right?”
As excited as he’d been when he’d found out that Taylor was carrying his child, at that very moment, the only thing that mattered to him was the well-being of his wife. Right or wrong, if given a choice between her and having a baby, he would choose her every day of the week.
“So far, everything looks good. I’m very optimistic,” she encouraged with a smile.
For the what seemed like the first time since he found out Taylor had been shot…again…Victor was able to exhale.
“Thank you, Dr. Greer.”
“There’s no need to thank me. Your wife is strong. However, I’m going to keep her here overnight so we can monitor the baby.”
Victor nodded and turned to Kena. “Find O’Conner. Get details.”
Kena smiled and placed her hand on Victor’s shoulder. “Congratulations, Sir. I am so happy for you and Taylor.” Her voice was soft, and her words were sincere.
Victor placed his hand over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you,” he responded in a whisper. “Now, go.”
“On it.” She softly chuckled before hurrying away.
