Chapter 12 - The First Breath
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Wade stood amidst the carnage, breathing heavily, his white shirt soaked in blood and sweat. He pulled the combat knife from the fallen soldier, his hands shaking slightly from the massive adrenaline crash.
Silas and the surviving men slowly emerged from cover, staring at their boss in absolute, terrified awe. Wade Mercer had just dismantled a heavy execution squad single-handedly.
Before anyone could speak, the heavy red light above the operating room doors finally clicked off.
Wade spun around, his heart stopping completely.
The doors slowly pushed open. Dr. Evans stepped out. He looked at the bodies littering the hallway, the bullet holes in the walls, and the blood covering Wade’s hands. The surgeon looked absolutely horrified, but he maintained his professional composure.
Wade dropped his weapons, rushing forward, ignoring the pain in his grazed shoulder.
“Doctor,” Wade demanded, grabbing the man’s arms. “My son.”
Dr. Evans let out a long, exhausted, beautiful sigh. A genuine smile broke across his weary face.
“The transplant was a complete success, Mr. Mercer,” the surgeon said softly. “His body accepted the new heart perfectly. He is breathing on his own. Your son is going to live.”
Wade’s knees buckled.
The ruthless mafia boss, the man who had just slaughtered six elite mercenaries without blinking, collapsed against the hospital wall, covering his face with his bloody hands as a single, overwhelming sob ripped from his chest.
The door to the private waiting room opened cautiously. Audrey stepped out, escorted by the bodyguard. She saw the destruction, the bodies, and Wade slumped against the wall.
But then she looked at the doctor.
“He’s okay, Audrey,” Wade choked out, looking up at her with tears streaming down his face. “Leo is going to make it.”
Audrey fell to her knees beside Wade, throwing her arms around his neck, weeping with pure, unadulterated joy. They held each other tightly amidst the ruins of the hospital corridor, two parents who had fought a war and finally secured their child’s life.
“I want to see him,” Audrey begged, looking up at the doctor.
“We are moving him to a secure recovery room,” Dr. Evans nodded. “You can see him in a few minutes.”
Wade helped Audrey to her feet, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
“Go to him,” Wade whispered softly.
Audrey frowned, noticing the cold, familiar darkness creeping back into his eyes. “Wade? Where are you going?”
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Wade picked up his heavy pistols from the floor, reloading them with fresh magazines.
“Roman Sokolov and Julian think they won,” Wade said, his voice dropping into a lethal, terrifying register. “I need to go explain to them how wrong they are.”
