Chapter 7 - The Underground Clinic
A deafening explosion ripped through the upper floors of the building, shaking the concrete beneath our feet.
Dust and debris rained down as the emergency sprinkler system suddenly activated, soaking us in cold water.
The blast had not destroyed the building, but it had collapsed the main stairwell, trapping the thugs on the other side of the rubble.
Titan released Brendan's unconscious, bleeding body and limped back to my side.
I dropped to my knees next to Jared, the freezing water washing away the blood pouring from his stomach.
"We have to move," Jared gritted out, his face completely pale.
He leaned his heavy weight onto my shoulder, and together we stumbled toward a hidden service elevator.
The doors slid open, and I practically dragged him inside.
Jared pressed a sequence of buttons on the emergency panel, and the elevator began a rapid, stomach-dropping descent.
"Where are we going?" I asked frantically, pressing my hands against his bleeding wound.
"Sub-basement level," Jared gasped, his eyes beginning to flutter shut.
The doors opened to reveal a pristine, brightly lit medical facility hidden entirely underground.
A tall, older man in surgical scrubs rushed forward with a rolling stretcher.
"Doctor Thorne, he took a bullet to the abdomen," I yelled, helping transfer Jared onto the bed.
Doctor Thorne quickly assessed the massive amount of blood soaking Jared's shirt.
"The bullet ruptured his spleen," the doctor said grimly, pushing the stretcher toward an operating theater.
I tried to follow them inside, but Doctor Thorne placed a firm hand on my chest, stopping me at the door.
"I am not operating on him," the doctor stated coldly.
I stared at him in complete shock.
"He is going to bleed to death in minutes!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
Doctor Thorne folded his arms across his chest, perfectly calm.
"Jared broke syndicate laws by bringing an outsider into this secure facility," he explained.
"Unless you formally agree to bind your life to the Kensington family forever, I am legally required to let him die."
I looked through the glass window at Jared, who was now completely unconscious on the operating table.
He had just taken a bullet to save my life.
"I agree," I whispered, the words sealing my permanent fate.
"I will give up my freedom, just please save him."
May you like
Doctor Thorne smiled, a chilling expression that did not reach his eyes.
"Excellent," the doctor said. "Because Jared's father will be very pleased to meet his new daughter-in-law."
