Page 72 of Sinful
I can hear him making calls—quick, clipped conversations.
Offering money. Alotof money for someone to come here, no questions asked, and fix what Los Coyotes broke.
Twenty minutes later, a man arrives.
He's maybe sixty, with silver hair and the kind of calm competence that comes from decades of practice.
He's carrying a medical bag that looks like it's seen better days, but his hands are steady when he starts examining Dad.
"I'm Dr. Castellano," he says to no one in particular. "I wasn't here. I didn't see anything. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Runes says from the doorway.
"Good." The doctor looks at Gwen and Vail. "You two did good work. The IV line is clean, vitals are stable enough. But he's going to need surgery on that amputation site. It's infected—I can smell it from here. And these burns need debriding."
"Can you do it here?" Runes asks.
"I can do a lot here. But if he crashes, if he needs blood or advanced life support?—"
"He won't crash," Runes says flatly. "Do what you can."
Dr. Castellano nods. "Then everyone out except my assistants. I need room to work."
Mom doesn't want to leave—I can see it in the way she reaches for Dad, her hand hovering over his chest like she can heal him through being close to him.
"Starla," Dr. Castellano says gently. "I'll take care of him. But I need you to let me work."
"Come on, Mom." Elfe guides her toward the door. "We'll be right outside."
I follow them into the hallway, and the door closes behind us with a soft click.
We wait.
That's all we can do, sit in the hallway outside Dad's room and wait while Dr. Castellano works.
Elfe and Mom sit on a bench someone dragged up from downstairs.
I can't sit, can't stay still.
So, I pace—three steps one way, three steps back, wearing a path in the carpet.
My body aches.
Bruises forming on my ribs where I dove behind cover.
My knuckles are split from punching someone—can't even remember who.
Everything hurts, but it's distant.
All background noise compared to the fear churning in my gut.
What if he doesn't make it?
What if the infection's too far gone?
What if I saved him from Los Coyotes just to watch him die from complications?
"Helle." Elfe's voice cuts through my spiral. "Sit down. You're making me dizzy."
