I didn’t see him pull his weapon on me, it was that quick. And, as much pain as I’m in right now, I can’t show weakness. Not in front of them; not now, not ever. I grind my teeth against the throbbing, holding Lion’s glare and not giving in to his challenge to back down, though my already beaten and bruised body protests the new assault.
“This isyourfucking fault,“ Lion growls, stepping closer, grabbing my jacket to yank me toward him so he can get in my face.
I smile without mirth and his lips pull back into a sneer.
“How’d I guess I’d be the one you’d point a finger at?” I say, surprised to find my voice is almost flippant.
I raise an eyebrow when he shoves me back.
“Akila, leave,” Lion says over his shoulder.
She narrows her hazel eyes on him and raises her chin.
“No!” she grinds out. “This isn’t going to fucking find Malia, Lion!”
The Omen runs a hand down his face, glancing at my wound then turning to his nephew.
“She is right, Lion. We need everyone involved to get my daughter back. Until then, no fingers will be pointed. We will deal with that part after Malia is safe.”
7
Liam
Ihissasthedoctor pushes the forceps into my shoulder to pull out the bullet lodged in the muscle. Fucking figures it couldn’t just be a clean through-and-through.
“Should I find a room to stay in for the night in case something else happens to you tonight?” the doctor asks me.
I snort, not bothering to dignify that with more of a response. I didn’t ask her to come here, The Omen did. I could’ve dealt with my own wound, but here we are. Coming here was a way out of the hell that rained down The Omen’s office. Between Akila yelling at Lion and Lion yelling at everyone who came running into the room after hearing the gunshot, my head was throbbing. The last thing I need is more babbling from this bitch.
“Are you sure you don’t want any pain medicine?” she questions, dropping the extracted bullet into a metal dish lying next to me on the hospital bed.
The Omen really does have everything he needs here to successfully run his illegal business without the public eye prying. It pisses me off how smart it is and all the bases he’s covered to keep himself hidden from the world. My lack of success in my past mission of vengeance makes a lot more sense now.
“Yes,” I respond sharply.
The doctor purses her lips then dips her chin, dropping the matter. I’m sure after everything my body has endured over the last thirty-six hours, I’m looking more than a little worse for wear, but I want my mind right. Or as right as it can be with the damned concussion.
Oren steps into the room and leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms and instantly reading the tension in the room. He raises an eyebrow at me as the doctor starts to stitch my new bullet hole.
“I’m not feeling very chatty,” I tell him, and the doctor tsks.
For someone who works under a mob boss, she sure has a fucking judgemental attitude problem.
“Lion will be off the rails until Malia is home,” Oren says slowly, ignoring my previous statement. “This situation lit the fuse on a giant ticking time bomb, and he needs somewhere to direct that blast. Unfortunately, that’s you.”
“Is there something you need?” I snap.
“Hold still,” the doctor says sternly.
I have half a mind to pluck her eyes out with the forceps.
Oren shrugs.
“It was just a warning,” he says. “I’d stay out of his way as much as possible. But to answer your question—yes, there’s something I needed.”
He steps further into the room, coming to a stop so he’s behind the doctor as she works, looking at me straight on.
“You need rest and that’s not up for debate.”