Dolly (Part three-Max Mitchell series)

TWO

Never in his life had he felt so helpless. He was hours away from her, and there was nothing he could do about it. He would go back. He had to.

"Luke, I need to go back to New York." He announced.
"What?! What am I supposed to do about your press tour?"
"The others will have to go on without me. I'll join them in the states."

Luke made a little whistle between his teeth.
"Marvel isn't going to like this, man."
"Oh come on, Chris is the big man anyway. He'll be fine without me."
"If you're sure, I'll make some calls. You owe me, Hiddleston."

He nodded, and tried to focus his frenzied brain on getting back to her.

Intrusive thoughts crowded his mind. Flashes of his imagination getting the better of him. Scary things forced their way into his thoughts, things he really hoped were not reality. Someone had injured her, and she was all alone when it happened. Somehow he felt responsible for not keeping her safe. Was she going to be ok? He was scared. Really scared. Luke appeared, and placed a hand on Tom's shoulder and the tears started pouring.

"Trouble, mate. We can't fly out of Seoul on this plane until tomorrow. It's been scheduled for someone else."

"That's not good, Luke. I need to go back, immediately."

"That's why I checked for the soonest flight, and it will be tight but I've booked you a seat leaving forty five minutes after we arrive. You'll be back in New York by seven a.m."

"Thank you, Luke. Thank god for you."
"Of course, I'll figure out the rest of the details."

He hung his head, and continued to sob.

"I'm sorry, Max." He whispered to himself.

***

"Excuse me, miss?" The nurse shook Wendy awake. She jumped up out of her chair. What time was it?

"Yes. Where's Max?"

"She's still in surgery. The gunshot did a lot of damage."

"Is she going to be ok?"

"She's still listed in serious condition. We will know more when she's out of surgery."

She nodded, and slid back down into her her chair. Unfortunately, the nurse's update didn't make her feel any better. Why was it taking so long? She pulled her phone out of her purse to find it was just after three a.m. There was also a text message from Tom.

On a plane back to the city. ETA 7am.
Phone will be off.-TWH

Also, a text from Stef.

Wendy, what is going on?
Please tell me that Maxi is ok.
Text or call. Any hour.-Gaga

She dialed Stef, and she picked up right away.

"Any news?"

"She's still in surgery. Serious condition. The nurse said that the gunshot did a lot of damage."

"Gunshot?! Someone shot her?" Stef's voice went wild, and high pitched.

Shit. She'd forgotten to call Stef after she peeked at the computer.

"Yeah. I just got news." She lied, a little white one.

"What? I-I..." her voice started to break. "Who would have done that to her?"

"I don't have any details other than the fact that it happened. I don't know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet my life it was Paul."

"God damn him." Stef said quietly.