Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
That’s a big question, isn’t it? How would Viktor answer it? I think for a moment.
“There’s been a… er… situation at the house. It’s all under control now, but he has asked me to call you. He needs two cars arranged to take two of the maids home, and he has asked for you to come over.”
“Consider it done. The cars will be with you within fifteen minutes, and I’ll be there just after that,” he replies crisply.
“Thank you,” I say, but I’m talking to the dial tone.
Viktor laughs softly when he sees me frowning at the phone.
“It’s nothing personal,” he says. “Jerome isn’t much of a talker, but he’s a doer. What did he say?”
“He said the cars for Lacey and Justine will be here within fifteen minutes and he’ll be here just after that,” I relay.
“You three need to go into another room to wait,” Doctor Singh says.
Lacey and Justine don’t hesitate. They instantly head for the hallway, thanking Viktor again and saying goodbye to him. I don’t follow them.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I demand.
Doctor Singh looks at Viktor who nods his head. Blood is running freely from his shoulder now that the doctor has removed the tea towels to examine the wound and his face is whiter than ever.
“The bullet is embedded in Viktor’s shoulder. I can get it out easily enough, but I don’t carry any sort of anesthetic and it will hurt like hell. You don’t need to see that,” the doctor says.
“You know how once Viktor has made up his mind about something, it’s easier just to do things his way and save time?”
Dr. Singh nods, looking a little confused.
“I’m very much the same myself. I’m not going anywhere, Dr. Singh, and I don’t expect you to waste time arguing with me about it.”
“Amelia…” Viktor starts.
“That goes for you as well,” I say, giving him a determined look.
He sighs and nods for Doctor Singh to go on. The doctor digs in his bag and comes out with a syringe filled with clear liquid, a small pair of tweezers, and a metal bowl. He reaches down and removes his belt. I stare curiously, but I don’t ask questions. I know the doctor isn’t overly happy about me being here and I don’t want him to remember that and ask me to leave or waste time explaining or arguing with me. He hands Viktor the belt. Viktor takes it with no confusion on his face, so the belt thing is obviously normal to him at least.
“Right, I’m going to flush the wound out with a saline solution first,” Doctor Singh says.
He picks up the syringe and opens it up, and then he squirts the liquid into the wound, washing away the blood. I get a glimpse of the bullet embedded in Viktor’s flesh and I feel my stomach roll. Maybe I should have just left the room, but I can’t let Viktor go through this alone. I focus on Viktor’s face. His head is back, the tendons in his neck straining against his skin. Beads of sweat have formed on his face and if it’s possible, he’s even whiter than before.
The doctor picks up the tweezers and looks at Viktor.
“Ready?” he asks.
Viktor folds the belt in two and puts it in his mouth and nods his head. I know what the belt is for now. It’s to bite down on when the pain gets too much for him. I step closer to him and take his hand in both of mine.
“I’m right here,” I say, before I faint.
When I come back around, I’m lying on the sofa with a couple of cushions under my feet. Viktor is sitting next to me. “Are you alright?” he asks.
“Are you?” I ask.
He nods and shows me the small bowl the Doctor had brought, and I see the bloody, mishappened bullet inside it.
“I’m sorry I fainted on you.”
“It was a good thing you did,” he replies. “It wasn’t a pretty sight.”
I lift my head up and kiss him. Doctor Singh clears his throat and I pull my mouth from Viktor’s.
“Sorry,” I apologize sheepishly.
“That’s it. The worst is over. The bullet grazed the bone but not enough to do any real damage. I’ll be prescribing you some antibiotics too,” he says.
Headlights flash in front of the window.
“That’ll be the cars for Justine and Lacey,” Viktor says.
I sit up immediately.
“Steady,” Viktor warns.
“I want to say goodbye to Justine and Lacey.”
“Alright, but go easy.”
I go out to the hallway where Justine and Lacey are still waiting.
“Is everything ok?” Lacey asks. “It sounded like someone was being murdered in there.”
“I fainted,” I confess guiltily, “but everything’s ok now,” I say. “The doctor had to pull the bullet out without anesthetic.”
Lacey winces. “I honestly don’t know if Viktor is brave as hell or bat shit crazy not going to the hospital and having it done while he was knocked out instead of this back street surgery.” She glances at me. “Shit. Sorry.”