Chapter 5 - The Doctor
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The Maybach pulled into a highly secure, private underground garage beneath one of the tallest skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. Gabriel led Lily to a private elevator that required biometric scanning to operate. The doors opened directly into a sprawling, two-story penthouse wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a breathtaking, dizzying view of the city.
Standing in the center of the immaculate living room was a middle-aged woman carrying a sleek black medical bag.
"Dr. Aris," Gabriel said, nodding to the woman. "She has a shoulder injury, contusions on her neck, and likely minor shock."
The doctor didn't ask any questions. She didn't look at Gabriel's bloodstained jacket on Lily's frame. She simply gestured to a plush velvet sofa.
"Please, sit down, Miss," Dr. Aris said in a calm, soothing voice.
Lily sat on the edge of the sofa, clutching the jacket tightly. Gabriel didn't leave the room. He stood near the massive glass windows, his arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes watching the doctor with intense, protective scrutiny.
"I need you to take off the jacket so I can see the injury," Dr. Aris instructed gently.
Lily hesitated, her cheeks flushing with shame. Beneath the jacket, her uniform was torn, exposing her bra strap and the violent, purple bruising blossoming across her collarbone.
She slowly slipped the heavy jacket off.
From across the room, Gabriel let out a sharp, audible intake of breath. He stared at the dark bruises on her pale skin, the violent handprints left by Ryan Caldwell. The air in the penthouse seemed to crackle with an intense, murderous rage.
Gabriel turned his back, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.
"Yes," Gabriel said into the phone, his voice a low, lethal whisper that sent shivers down Lily's spine. "Begin the sweep. I want the supervisor first. Then Caldwell's personal security chief. Take the hotel manager who controls the camera servers."
There was a brief pause as he listened to the voice on the other end.
"No," Gabriel commanded coldly. "No noise. I want them to vanish like smoke. Leave nothing behind."
He hung up the phone.
Dr. Aris finished cleaning and bandaging Lily's shoulder, handing her a small bottle of painkillers. "Take two of these and sleep. You'll be sore for a few days, but nothing is broken."
"Thank you," Lily whispered.
May you like
As the doctor packed her bag and quietly exited the penthouse, Gabriel turned back to Lily. His eyes were entirely black, devoid of mercy, but when he looked at her, his expression softened.
"The first three are gone," Gabriel said softly. "The hunt has begun."
