The Rise of the Red Queen

24

Felipe handed me a first aid kit pulling me out of my shocked state as the room watched. I quickly got off the stage and went to Theo's side. "Marie, I need you to step back," I directed but it fell upon deaf ears. "Monet hold her back," I directed and he didn't hesitate pulling her up to her feet a good five feet away. I pulled the knife from my thigh and cut Theodore's shirt off. Theodore looked at me before saying, "You patching me up?" "I'll even dye your hair." I offered with a smile and a laugh inspecting the wound.  "You'll live," I commented digging into the first aid kit for what I'd need.  Pulling out some guaze first and putting pressure on his wound. "Some one hold this," I stated before Mark kneeled down next to me to help. "Who was that?" I questioned pulling out the remaining items I would need. "I'm not sure doll. He didn't look familiar to me," Mark answered. "Theo, do you want to be numbed? I have to clean the wound  before I stitch it up. The bullet grazed your side good but is sitting on the floor a few feet away." I said looking to him for an answer. "Sweetheart, use the numbing agent before you clean his wound," Andre directed kneeling on the other side of me not giving Theodore an option. I quickly numbed him giving it a minute to take effect before cleaning the wound. "Monet, once I'm done bring him back in here," I directed setting to work on the wound. "I have to do internal stitches as well as external." I stated grabbing the dissolving stitches and starting. Soon enough the wound was stitched shut completely and covered with a large piece of gauze to protect it. "The stitches can come out in two weeks, Theo. Monet, let her go now and have him brought back in please." I stated getting up wiping my blood covered hands on my already ruined dress.

Andre and Mark helped Theodore to his feet before Marie started fussing over him. The ball was silent as the doors opened once more with Russian screaming as Monet's men brought the gunman back in. They brought him in front of the ballroom to me. He started screaming in English, "Girl child will die!" I just smiled at him before saying "You can try," I pulled another knife from my thigh holster quickly cutting his shirt off revealing his gang symbol before setting my knife down and walking to the center of the room. "I'd love to see you try." I stated turning to face him. "Release him," I ordered Monet's men who glanced at him for confirmation. The moment they let him go he came after me only to be stopped by a wall of men. "I'd torture you for attempting to kill me but why should I deny my fiancés the pleasure of protecting me." I said as Andrew, Gabriel, Andre, and Mark held him in place. Mark had his men take the Russian away as Jasper and Darius stepped up behind me briefly before I walked back up to the stage.

I sat on my throne facing the confused ball guests before stating "Don't cross the queen." I watched as men and women throughout the room fell to their knees garnering more confused looks from the other guests. My fiancés stepped onto the stage before each came up and placed a kiss on my lips before standing to each side of my throne. "Santiago, the paperwork," I directed. Santiago rose from his knees coming to me and handing me a stack of paperwork. "Why do you kneel before me?" I asked. "To show you respect," Santiago answered. I looked through the paperwork see only two that weren't signed. "Rossi and Perez didn't sign to have an alliance with me," I stated aloud. Mark stated "Perez" at the same time Andre stated "Rossi" making me giggle.  "They don't want to be my ally apparently. I didn't tell them who I was exactly or what they would be giving up. I did tell tell I'd strip the company that gives them money though. A shame really," I trailed off while shaking my head. "I am the Dona of the Ricci Mafia by birth right. I am the Dona of the Costa Mafia by birth right. I am the Dona of the Moore Familia by marriage. I am the Dona of the Castro Cartel by marriage. I told you not signing would be your loss not mine. Now rethink your decision is it worth the war you will lose? I hope it is because you'll have to beg me to reconsider. I'll give you two weeks so you can see just what I mean while I make Otto crumble to his knees. When you change your mind get ahold of my fiancés they will let me know."  I said in a slightly condescending tone. "Please enjoy the rest of your evening everyone. I will let Ricci continue hosting the festivities as the auction will start soon." I was ushered off stage to the bridal suite where Santiago placed my extra clothes.  Mark got me cleaned up and dressed into my snowflake dress once more. I spent the rest of the night heavily watched by all the guards as my fiancés danced with me and kept me tucked into their sides as they spoke with the other guests. I was almost asleep standing up before Darius picked me up. "Time to head home little angel," Darius said. I tried to protest but the warning glare he sent me had me slipping farther into little space as I nodded my head in compliance. I snuggled into Darius's neck slowly drifting off to sleep in his arms.