Page 48 of Two For One

Taking a deep breath, I noticed the towel was almost completely drenched. I needed to staunch the bleeding or else… I cut myself off from thinking the worst. Running to my bedroom, I pulled out my medical kit I had saved from when I thought I wanted to be an EMT. Grabbing the alcohol, I sanitized my hands, putting gloves on and packed his wound tightly. My shaking was growing worse as I checked the rest of his body, seeing wounds that were superficial until I saw another bullet wound on his leg.

My mind focused on treating Ezra, pushing the need to break down to the very back of mind. Once I packed the other wound, I looked for a gun and picked it up. Keeping my finger off the trigger, I set it down next to me. I looked Ezra over, noticing his color growing paler.

Fuck. O better get here quickly because I didn’t know how much longer Ezra had.

16

Oliver

I’M JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.

I’d like to say I was a fearless man. I had to be in my line of work because fear made people stupid and unpredictable. It was something I prided myself on over the years, except for tonight. Hearing Xiomara call me Oliver with her small, scared voice made fear slither in. When she told me Ezra had been shot and he was unconscious, it made my heart completely stop.

I didn’t remember getting into the car, but I did remember calling Mars for the number of a discreet doctor. He gave me an address and said the doctor would be waiting for me. As I rushed to Xiomara’s house, I noticed a few cars parked off to the side of the road, next to what looked like a sign that said State Fair. An eerie feeling had me driving like a madman. I parked horribly, pulling out a gun and an extra clip, running up the stairs to her apartment with my gun drawn. Drops of blood led to her door as I wondered if that was Ezra’s. My heart constricted as I thought about the possibility that he might not make it.

“Chridhe,” I called out, opening the door slowly, seeing her apartment in shambles until I noticed them by the island with Xiomara aiming her gun at me.

“O,” she cried, her lip trembling. “He needs a hospital and probably surgery.”

“Ok, I’ve got you,” I said, looking at the five men on the floor because that was easier to deal with. “I need you to close your eyes for me, little witch.”

“O-okay,” she shuddered.

I quickly took care of the men who were still alive, so we had no witnesses and to send a fucking message. Payback would have to wait until I had them safe. I turned around, finally looking at Ezra and Xiomara, my stomach dropped. I took a moment to take them in, both pale and covered in blood, and I froze. My brain came back on, anger dragging me back to reality.

“Come on, little witch,” I said, grabbing Ezra, grunting as I threw him over my shoulder.

She followed, still holding the gun.

“Lock the door,” I said, walking out of the apartment heading downstairs, waiting for her before we went outside.

She had grabbed a sweater and put some slippers on. We quickly made our way to my SUV and Xiomara sat in the back with Ezra. Her lip trembled as I was about to close the door.

“He’s going to be ok,” I said, cupping her cheek.

She nodded, about to say something before she shook her head.

“Little witch,” I said, kissing her temple.

“I couldn’t find Merlin,” she whispered.

“As soon as we can, we will come back and look for him,” I said, kissing her forehead.

“He might be⁠—”

“He’s not dead, he just got out,” I said, trying to sound confident. “I promise after I know you are ok, I’ll come back and look for him, ok?”

She nodded, a shudder running through her. I shut the door gently, racing to the driver’s seat, hauling it to the address Mars gave me. It was a twenty-five minute drive, but the moment we got here, they had a gurney for him and rushed him inside. We hurried behind him until they told us we weren’t allowed in the back where he would be having surgery.

We stood there in silence, watching several people following him. I felt better that he was in good hands, but I still didn’t like not being with him.

“It’s going to be a while, lets’—”

I didn’t get to finish my sentence. Xiomara collapsed and I barely caught her.

“Chridhe,” I said, pushing her hair out of her face as I sank to my knees.

I laid my hand on her chest feeling her heartbeat.