Page 56 of Reckless Desires

“Just go get me some whiskey,” Killian says as he tears open his shirt, exposing his upper body and wound.

Jodi comes rushing in with a first aid kit along with a needle and thread. The twins come rushing in with JoJo trailing behind. One opens a bottle of whiskey that Killian begins to chug. Another gets a towel to apply pressure to the wound.

Jodi’s hands shake as she examines Killian.

“Let me.” I drop to my knees against the sofa.

“No,” Jodi protests. “Please, you’ve done enough today.”

I shoot her a look. “I’m not a housewife and the last person you want doing chores or anything around the house, but this… I got this.”

“Liliana—” Jodi begins to protest, but Killian cuts her off.

“Let her continue,” Killian demands with authority. “Liliana’s sister is a doctor.”

I look to him as he looks to me.

“Neurosurgeon,” I correct him.

Everyone in the room goes quiet, watching me examine the wound. Stasia would practice cutting and stitching whenever she could and then would teach us the same. I used to think it was a bonding activity, but now I’m not so sure. Stasia, like our father, tried to prepare us in ways only people accustomed to the mafia lifestyle would understand.

The air is thick with tension, a stifling mix of fear and disbelief as I check Killian, his breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps. Blood drips down his body.

“Are you having trouble breathing?” I ask.

“No,” Killian replies in pain before taking a chug of whiskey.

I lean forward to touch his face to feel his temperature. “Feeling dizzy?”

“No.”

The look he gives me almost sends me into a dizzy spell. My hands make their way to his neck, checking his pulse, and then to his chest to check his heartbeat. I place both my hands on his torso and press on his stomach. Killian doesn’t take his eyes off me even when I break contact.

“Didn’t know a stab wound requires a lot of touching,” Trevor comments, sitting on the coffee table, watching.

“I’m trying to get a feel for how deep the wound is,” I say over my shoulder. “Quick heartbeat but weak pulse is a bad sign.”

“How’s he looking?” Mickey, who is standing behind the sofa, nods at his wounded brother.

I look up at Mickey. “I think he’s okay. But he should really go to the hospital to make sure and get stitches.”

Killian takes a chug. “You know that is not an option. It would only get authorities involved.”

I let out a short laugh and make eye contact with Killian. “I thought you were the authorities around here. “

“If I check myself in anywhere, it’s only a matter of time before Nico finds me and then you.” He takes another chug of whiskey.

“What’s in the first aid kit?” I ask.

Jodi opens it and I examine the well-packed kit.

“Get me a towel, mild soap, and some water to clean the area,” I send out demands for anyone to obey. I look at Killian. “You shouldn’t be drinking, but there isn’t any numbing spray, so it’s going to hurt.”

“Stitch me up. You don’t have to be gentle. It can be your payback.” Killian smirks, sending my body on fire.

I get handed a towel with a bowl of water. As I begin to clean it, someone holds out a bottle of peroxide. I shake my head in protest.

“It needs to get disinfected.” Izzy shoves the bottle toward me again.