Above All Else

Chapter Thirty-Six

"Henry... Henry."

The first thing I see when my eyes open is her. My left eye offers resistance from the swelling. Mia smiles, her face wet with tears. I'm on the ground, her arms are holding me to her lap.

"It's been twenty minutes. Where is the doctor?" she exclaims, turning to someone behind her. I blink slowly, trying to find my bearings. I feel paralyzed, like I cannot move a single muscle.

And then I remember Alexander.

"Mia."

"What?" she whispers, caressing my face. I rest my hand over hers on my cheek, holding it there.

"I should have listened to you," I whisper, shakily. "I should have-"

"I knew you wouldn't give up," she says, shaking her head. "Your heart is so pure, reckless but pure."

"It doesn't feel pure now," I confess, shaking my head with fury. I begin to sit up, wincing at the strain it takes on my muscles. "I need to see Nicole, now."

Mia presses her hand to my chest. "No, you have to go into surgery."

"Surgery?" I scoff, eyes round. "She has my son. Like hell I'm going to be put under."

"It will infect," she says, shaking her head. "We must wait for the doctor to take out the bullet. He needs to dress your wounds... your face-"

I glance at the guards by the doors, who are standing straight as the wall. "Does anyone in this room know how to stitch up a wound?" I ask, firmly, breathing in as I begin to stand.

"Henry!"

When I'm finally on my feet, I look at her, clasping her delicate skin. "She has a hit man with our son. She could have had a deadline. He could have orders to kill them both if she wasn't heard from. Every second I waste here is another moment he's in danger."

Her lip trembles. "I, well, I could go speak to her."

"No," I utter, shaking my head. "It has to be me."

She exhales, looking around. "I-I could do it then. I just need something to sterilize it. Is there a kit in the car?"

I nod. "There is but there is nothing in there strong enough. Just get me alcohol for now."

She looks to the guard. "I need a bottle of whiskey, scissors, a sewing needle, a probe and something to bandage this with as fast as you can."

"Yes, ma'am," the guard closest to the door murmurs, leaving us. I smile softly, grabbing her shaking fingers, rubbing each one deeply.

"It's a small wound. Don't worry about preciseness."

"You will be in pain."

"No more than I am now," I answer, watching as the man walks back in, out of breath. It took him less than three minutes. I nod as he sets them down onto the table. Mia breathes in, looking into my eyes.

"Are you sure you cannot wait for a doctor?"

"Do it," I demand, sitting on the edge of the table. She opens the bottle of whiskey, a loud sound pops through the room. I look to the guard who retrieved the items as Mia begins to remove my button down shirt.

"You, sir... what's your name?"

"Michael, Your Majesty."

"Michael, I need you to do me a favor. I have a man nearby, he's waiting on my orders. If I give you his information, would you phone him and say the word command, that's all. He will know what to do."