The hallway of the private VIP floor was dead silent. Twenty men in black suits stood against the walls. Their hands rested over their waists. They didn't blink.
Inside the massive suite, five men stood around the hospital bed.
The Chief of Surgery stood at the foot of the bed. He held a tablet displaying an X-ray. His hands trembled. The tablet shook.
He pointed to the screen. "There are multiple fractures along the rib cage. Some are fresh. Others show calcification, indicating they broke months ago and healed without medical intervention."
Andres turned around. He slammed his fist into the stainless-steel medical supply cabinet. The metal caved in with a loud bang.
Colonel Johnie stood by the window. He clenched his jaw. The sound of his teeth grinding echoed in the quiet room.
Professor Elwin took off his gold-rimmed glasses. He pulled a microfiber cloth from his pocket and wiped the lenses. His eyes, usually calm, were dark and murderous.
Finley turned his back to the bed. He stared at the blank wall. His broad shoulders shook violently. He pressed the heel of his hand against his mouth.
The heavy wooden door clicked open. Two nurses pushed a wheelchair into the room.
Evalyn sat in the chair. She wore a loose hospital gown. Her skin was translucent. Her lips were colorless.
Barron stepped forward instantly. He dropped to one knee beside the wheelchair. He reached out and grabbed her cold hand.
Evalyn pulled her hand away. She didn't look at him. Her eyes locked onto the small figure lying on the bed.
She gripped the armrests. She pushed herself up. Her legs trembled violently. Her knees buckled.
Andres rushed forward. He grabbed her waist. He supported her weight and walked her to the side of the bed.
Evalyn leaned over. Her shaking fingers reached out. She touched the white gauze wrapped around Amari's cheek.
Tears spilled from Evalyn's eyes. They fell fast and heavy. They hit the crisp white sheets, leaving dark, wet spots.
Amari's long eyelashes fluttered. The movement was slow.
She opened her eyes. The bright lights made her blink. Her vision cleared.
She saw Evalyn's face. Amari's pupils dilated. Her breath hitched in her throat.
"Mommy?" she croaked. Her voice sounded like dry sandpaper rubbing together.
Evalyn collapsed forward. She buried her face into Amari's small, uninjured hand. Her shoulders heaved as she sobbed aloud.
Amari turned her head slightly. She saw the five massive men standing around the bed. They wore expensive suits and military uniforms. They stared at her.
Amari shrank back into the pillows. Her eyes darted around the room.
Evalyn wiped her face with the back of her hand. She sniffled. "It's okay, baby. These are your uncles."
Barron stepped closer to the bed. He forced the muscles in his face to relax. He smiled. He reached his hand out to stroke Amari's hair.
Amari flinched. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled her head away sharply. She braced her body for a hit.
Barron's hand froze in mid-air. The smile died on his face. His chest tightened as if a steel band wrapped around his ribs.
The flinch hit every man in the room like a physical blow.
Johnie spun around. He marched out of the room. He pulled his phone from his pocket.
He walked down the hall. He dialed a number. "Deploy the private contractors. Surround the precinct."
Barron stood up straight. He adjusted his silk tie. The cold, ruthless stare of the Wall Street predator returned to his eyes.
He looked at his brothers. "It's time to make those pieces of trash pay."
