Page 10 of No Mistake

“Who are you?” Chloe asked, her voice trembling.

“Better you don’t know.”

“Your friend needs a hospital.”

Yeah, he knew that. “Not an option.”

“Why not? I don’t know what you expect me to do. He needs proper medical attention in a sterile environment.”

“I expect you to keep him alive. If you don’t, it won’t be good for you or your sister.”

CHLOE STARED STRAIGHT ahead fighting the nausea threatening to choke her. Her stomach and face hurt, and she hugged herself, trying to ease the pain where he’d kicked her. Who the hell was Ricardo, and where was he taking her? Sophie had been right about him. Whatever he was involved with had led to someone getting shot. Someone they couldn’t take to a hospital. What if she couldn’t save the man? Would he kill her? Oh God, he was probably going to kill her no matter what. He’d already threatened that. A wave of panic washed over her, tears filling her eyes. This can’t be happening. How could this monster beside her be the same man she had danced with, laughed with? Kissed?

Chloe squeezed her eyes shut to stem her tears, determined not to cry in front of this bastard. Taking deep breaths she clenched her fists, forcing herself to calm down. She shivered in the thin T-shirt and yoga pants she had put on, intending to go for a run. When she didn’t show up at work today, they would try to reach her. She’d been about to call Sophie when Ricardo knocked at the door, knowing her sister would be up as early as she was. When Sophie didn’t hear from her, she’d be worried, maybe even come looking for her. Someone would realize she was missing. There had to be cameras or something they could track. They’d find her. Wouldn’t they?

They drove in silence, away from downtown LA, going south. After a while Ricardo pulled off the highway and maneuvered the side streets. She didn’t know this area; she had never really ventured outside of downtown. Eventually, the car pulled into a long driveway. At the end was a detached two-story modern home. A place like this would cost over a million bucks easily. His “friend” was obviously wealthy. So why the hell couldn’t he buy himself a doctor?

Ricardo opened her door. “Get out.” She did as she was told. There was no point aggravating him. Escaping was impossible with zip-tied hands and a gun at her back. Not to mention, he was twice her size.

Following Ricardo inside, she took in the white marble floors, chandelier and winding staircase. They walked to the back of the house, and she gasped. A man was laid out on the oak dining table, and another man was pushing down on his leg with a towel. Blood covered the table, dripping onto the floor. The metallic smell of it filled her nostrils. The patient’s eyes were closed; he was either unconscious or already dead.

“What you waiting for? Get to it.” Ricardo cut the zip ties off and motioned her forward with his gun.

“Where are the supplies?”

“On the way.”

Chloe took a breath. A patient. Forget everything else, he’s just another patient and you are a second-year surgical resident. You can do this. Even though she had never done this solo before. She’d always had her attending standing right there. She moved forward, placing her fingers on the man’s neck, checking for a pulse. It was faint, but there. Removing the towel, she examined the wound.

“Did the bullet go through?”

The man who had been holding the towel looked at her blankly.

“Help me roll him on his side, I need to see if the bullet went through.”

There was an exit wound, but it was jagged, indicating the bullet may have fragmented. Not a good sign.

“This man needs x-rays,” she said to Ricardo, “to determine if there are fragments in his leg that could pierce an artery.”

“No hospital. Find another way.” He still held the gun on her.

The only other way was to open up the leg and explore, but by doing that, she could cause a stray fragment to move.

“If I open up his leg, there could be complications. I’ve never done this alone before.”

“Well, I guess today’s your lucky day.”

The coldness in Ricardo’s eyes sent a shiver down her spine. His accent was thicker now. Spanish? It hadn’t seemed so strong in the club.

Another man rushed into the room carrying a box of medical supplies.

“There you go. Now, do what you need to do and fix him. If he dies, I won’t just kill you I’ll track down your beautiful sister and kill her, too.” Ricardo sneered.

Chloe swallowed. Her hands shook as she took the box of supplies and set out everything.

“I’m going to need some help.”

“Juan will help.” He motioned to the man who had been stemming the blood flow.

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