The memory flash blinded him, piercing his chest. “She was…holding a gun to her head.” He swallowed. “I ran…” His hands trembled and tears welled up in his eyes.
“Take your time, Mr. Gennaro.”
“I pushed her hand and tried to take the gun, but she fought.” He sniffled. “She fought, and it went off through her chest.” Bowing his head, he cried. “She was bleeding in my arms. I called 911. They guided me through some first-aid instructions. Then the ambulance came and brought us here.”
The officer finished writing his notes, gave Mike some comforting words, and left with his partner.
Mike plopped down on the floor, breathing rapidly, his head wobbling with each breath as he stared at nothing. Minutes later, Nick arrived and dashed toward him.
“What did the doctors say?” Nick rasped, his face pale and haggard.
“They’re still operating.” Mike barely got the answer out before James and Samantha appeared down the hall.
Mike sprang to his feet, rubbing his temple with the heel of his hand as the two managers told him they arranged for security and managed to get the press under control for now. However, the news was already out.
He didn’t care about the press or the award or any other fucking thing but Maggie’s life.
“Do you guys need anything? Coffee?” James asked.
“No,” Mike said while Nick shook his head. “Nick, why don’t you sit down for a minute?”
“What the hell do I want to sit down for?” Nick yelled. “Why don’tyougo sit down or even get the hell out of here and leave us alone?”
“I’m not leaving.”
“Fuck you.”
“Okay. Let’s not lose our heads here,” James said, standing in front of Mike. “Can we just keep calm and focus on Maggie?”
The four of them continued to stand, listening to the occasional rubber-heeled rustle of walking-by nurses, and their own breathing.
Hours later, three doctors emerged from the OR. Mike remained on his feet in the midst of the mass of white clothing and bobbing faces, trying to understand why Maggie was still in danger and couldn’t be moved to a wardroom yet.
“The bullet went through her lung, which led to severe hemorrhage. We were able to remove the bullet and repair the lung. We’ll keep her in the PACU where she’ll be closely monitored until she wakes up, then she’ll be transferred to the ICU.”
“Can I see her? I’m her father.”
Mike’s eyes flicked. “And I’m her fiancé.”
Nick glared at him. “Not anymore.”
“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here,” one of the doctors said, swiftly ushering them to a waiting area outside the recovery room. “Ms. Dawson is not awake yet, but if you can manage to put your arguments aside for now, I can allow two minutes per visitor in the PACU.”
“Yes, please let me see her,” Mike said before Nick could respond.
“Direct family first, Mr. Gennaro.” The doctor motioned for a nurse to escort Nick to the recovery room.
Mike took a deep breath. “Is she gonna be okay?”
“She’s stable for now. The surgery was a success. We’ll keep a close eye on her for the next forty-eight hours and hope for the best.”
Mike nodded, wincing. “Thank you.”
“It could have been worse. A chest wound is much easier to heal than a gunshot to the head. You saved her life.” The doctor patted him on the shoulder and nodded his chin at the nurse escorting Nick back—his eyes were red around the rims as he sniffled. “Your turn,” the doctor said.
Samantha took Nick’s arm and helped him to a chair while Mike struggled not to run into the recovery room.
Maggie was on a ventilator and tubes were coming out of her chest. Her face was white. Morbid.
