Ice steps forward. “He fucking stepped in front of a bullet that was aimed at me. He saved my life.”
Dr. Siegel turns back toward Ice, astonished.
“It was so dark. They were hidden in the bushes. We didn’t see them because we were covering Michael as he was carrying Zaira out of the house. Then before I knew it, Hawk stepped in front of me and took the bullet.”
“So this one shot to the chest is the only wound?” Dr. Siegel asks.
“Yeah, as far as I know.”
I walk toward Ice. “Hey, man, I’m so sorry. Everything out there happened so fast.”
“We were both trying to cover you and Zaira when the gunfire erupted. He’s always told me he’s got my back, and he’s always covered me, but I never expected him to take a bullet for me. God, I can’t fucking stand this. He’s got to live, Doc.” Ice paces back and forth, and I know the waiting is killing him.
I stop him in his tracks and look him in the eye. “It’s called loyalty, Ice, and you know it. You’d take a bullet for any of your brothers, and each and every one of them are loyal to you, their president. Of course they will sacrifice themselves for you. You’re their leader.”
“I know, man, but fuck, I don’t know what I’m gonna do if he dies. He’s not only my VP. He’s my fucking best friend. I can’t lose him, Mikey. I can’t.”
Rebel walks up then and says, “You gotta have faith, Ice. He’s gonna make it.”
“Fuck faith. I just need to know he’s gonna live.”
Dr. Siegel walks toward us and says, “He needs to be in the hospital.”
Ice looks at me, and I reply to Doc, “Can you get him in anonymously?”
Dr. Siegel looks at me as if I have lost my mind, “Mikey, how long have I been helping your family?”
“I know, I know, I just don’t need to take any chances on this.”
He looks at Ice. “This is the deal. The bullet is still in there. He will need surgery to get it removed. I can’t do it here, and I have no way of knowing if any of his vital organs have been hit. He’s stable now. His heart rate is good but not great, and there can be internal bleeding I can’t see.”
“So his best chance is the hospital.”
“I’m afraid it is. Time is of the essence. We’ll bring him in as a John Doe, and I promise the gunshot wound won’t get reported.”
Ice nods.
“Do everything you can for him. If that means the hospital, then the hospital it is,” I tell him.
“Good, I’ll make the preparations.” His expression softens as he turns toward Ice. “I’ll do everything I can for him.” He squeezes his arm to reassure him. Dr. Siegel walks away and pulls out his phone. I hear him talking as he goes back to Hawk and the two orderlies who have been helping him.
“Try not to worry. Dr. Siegel is the best.”
He looks lost as he nods, then walks back to be with his boys. I hate that he’s going through this because of me, but we both know it’s always a possibility. There’s always a chance of losing a man, a friend, and a brother. It’s the life we have chosen, and it’s the life we live. It still doesn’t change the fact that it sucks when something like this happens.
“Come on,” I say, walking toward Ice and the boys. “Let’s let Dr. Siegel get him ready to transport.”
They nod, and I approach Zaira. “Still wanna stay?”
“Yes. This man risked his life to save mine,” she replies.
“Okay, we’re giving the doctor some space to get Hawk ready to take to the hospital. I’m probably gonna go to the hospital with them. You’re welcome to stay the night or you can arrange to have someone take you home tonight.” I don’t want to seem like I am kicking her out, but at the same time, I don’t want to have any false hopes that things have changed between us.
“I’d like to stay, Michael, if that is okay with you.” She offers me a small smile. “Perhaps we can talk in the morning?”
“I’d like that,” I reply, and the hope I didn’t want to have quickly surfaces. Right now, though, I need to ensure Ice and his men are tended to.
We step out into the hallway where Ricco is waiting outside the door for us. “Got some info on Romeo for you,” he says, following us down to the parlor.
