Page 2 of Doc

I’ve paid my debt to him tenfold, but the trust and loyalty he and the rest of the Family offer can’t be bought. Something I was well aware of, even before coming into this life.

By the time it’s late enough for James to drag me out of the office, I’ve completed most of my paperwork, and have started the preliminary search for a specialist for Hollis’s ruptured vocal cords.

“Main house or your own?” James asks as he shoves me into the backseat of the car.

“Mine,” I groan as I lay across the seat. “Day off tomorrow, remember?”

“Thank fuck that it is,” he grouses. “That means I get to sleep in.”

I laugh and close my eyes. “You could have taken today off. Cristian said Gabriele would have relieved you.”

“Good thing I didn’t,” he remarks. “You’re extra snarky whenever you see Tennant.”

I snort. “Yes, well, he brings out the best in me.”

James laughs. “You mean the brat in you.”

“Same thing.”

He sighs from the depths of his soul and it makes me grin at how utterly exasperated I can make him.

“Troublemaker,” he grumbles, just loud enough for me to hear.

I don’t respond because we both know it’s true.

When we getto the house, James doesn’t even attempt to make me move, except to slide out of the car. When I’m on my feet, he scoops me up like I weigh nothing and carries me inside.

Laying my head on his shoulder, I sigh. “This is why you’re my favorite. Gabriele would have left me in the car. As much as you deserve the time off, I'm glad you stayed with me.”

He kisses the side of my head. “I know, my dear.”

Closing my eyes as we go up the stairs, I let out another sigh and relax in his arms, getting a head start on some much-needed sleep while safe with one of the only people I can be vulnerable with.

My phone rings and I ignore it until it stops, only to immediately start up again. With a growl, I snatch it off the table and bring it to my ear. “What?”

“There’s been an accident,”Cristian says, ignoring my disrespect.“Roman’s car was hit… It’s bad, from what I understand. I need you to go to the scene for transport.”

“Fucking hell, I’m on my way. Send everything to James.” Cristian hangs up without another word and I pocket the phone.

Marking my place, I toss my book onto the coffee table. I'm sad I won’t get to see how good of a fuck Grady is until later. Well, probably not for the next few days, if it’s as bad as I think it might be. There’s only one reason Cristian would tell me to go to the scene rather than my office at the main house: someone is dead or dying.

Arriving on the scene,James and I jump straight into work mode. He grabs my medical bag as I take in the situation.

“Enzo’s trying to bleed out in the front seat, Doc,” Benji says.

“Roman?” I ask, even as I head to where I can see another of the guards trying to help someone from inside the car.

“Fine, mostly. He lost consciousness for a minute, but we got him back. Pretty sure he has a concussion, but nothing that needs immediate attention.”

“I want him looked over before you leave.”

Nudging the guard out of the way, I crouch and get a good look at what I’m dealing with.

Cursing, I don’t dare touch anything, except to make sure the makeshift tourniquet they have tied around Enzo’s leg is secure. “Keep doing what you’re doing,” I say, getting back up. “I need to make a call.”

Kail’s van pulls up just as I take out my phone. “One of you check on Roman and get him back to the house, the other will be assisting me.” I don’t wait for either of my assistants to respond before dialing a number.

At first, I don’t think the call is going to connect, it rings for so long, but finally he picks up.“This better be good, Wescott.”

---