Page 43 of Trapped with the Undercover Prince

He was wheeled into a modern OR prep room, his clothes cut off.

His chest tube was surrounded by bloody clots, and it was still dribbling blood onto the previously clean floor. As his small body was draped in warmed blankets, she explained her suspicions regarding his injuries, including the chest tube.

A man, whom she supposed was the lead physician, asked several questions and quickly agreed with her assessment of Luke’s most pressing need. Surgery to find the source of his internal bleeding and stop it.

Anna asked to be part of the OR team, but she figured the chances of her doing more than observing were slim. She wasn’t licensed to operate in Lerasia or any other European country, and this doctor didn’t know her at all.

She was shocked when he immediately invited her to assist and hid her surprise by asking where she could change into something clean and scrub up.

Everyone in the OR spoke English, and though she intended to take a backseat during the surgery, the extent of Luke’s injuries forced her to jump in. There was simply too much damage for one surgeon to deal with it all without losing the boy.

It wasn’t any fun operating with a team of people she didn’t know and who didn’t know her, but the nurses working with her were damn good at anticipating her needs.

Both Luke’s spleen and liver had been lacerated and, had they taken any longer to get him to the hospital, he might not have survived.

Anna operated on one side of Luke while the Lerasian surgeon operated on the other. They discussed each other’s techniques and procedures, and she was encouraged by the other surgeon’s suggestions and willingness to consider new ideas.

Luke went through fifteen units of blood and eight hours of surgery before they could close. The lead surgeon, Dr. Gregor Munsch, thanked her for her skill and engaging conversation. She watched him head into the male change room, uncertain if he was serious or not.

Engaging conversation?

Anna fought off a wave of exhaustion. Now was not a good time to sit on the floor for a rest. If she did that, she’d probably fall asleep.

She ripped off her gloves, tossed them in a trashcan, and asked a passing nurse where Luke’s mother could be found.

After a couple of garbled directions, Anna discovered Marie sitting in a tiny room a few feet down the hall, holding hands with a man who looked remarkably like Luke.

As soon as Anna walked in, Marie was on her feet. “How is he? No one will tell us anything. Please, Dr. Anna, how is our son?”

Anna smiled. “Luke is going to be just fine.”

“Oh, thank God.” Marie sank onto the chair and buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking.

Anna nodded to Marie’s husband. “Hello, I’m Dr. Anna. I assisted with the surgery on Luke.”

“Christophe.” Luke’s father said, holding out his hand. “When I heard about the accident, all I could do was pray. Marie told me what you did for our son. There are no words to thank you enough.”

“The crisis isn’t over yet.”

That got both their attention.

“Both Luke’s spleen and liver needed repair. We completed that, but he lost a great deal of blood and had to be transfused. He will be very weak for some time. Much of his recovery will depend on you. It’s very important you help him stay strong and to follow his doctor’s orders.”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

“Perhaps a puppy would help.”

Anna turned around.

Zar stood in the doorway. In his hands was a tray with four small cups on it. Espresso. He extended the tray toward Luke’s parents. “Coffee?”

Marie looked scandalized. “Your Highness shouldn’t serve us coffee.”

Her husband looked like he was going to pass out.

“It is the least I could do for you and your husband. Luke is a strong boy; you should be proud.” He jiggled the tray, and they each took a cup. “And I mean it about the puppy. I promised him one, and my sister’s dog had a litter two weeks ago. I’ll make sure he gets one.”

“Your Highness is too kind.”

---