Blood Money

11

Danielle looks around her. Doug is standing next to her holding something up. "Doug, what are you doing?"

"Good you're awake." Doug says relief evident when he responds. A worker comes by and checks the IV and Danielle.

"How are you feeling Mrs. Williams?" 

"Headache, but that's to be expected I suppose. Why am I here? I wasn't injured."

"You went into shock. You should be fine now. Let me just take that IV out of you." The worker was quick and had the IV out shortly. Doug had filled out paperwork earlier. "You're good to go now."

"Thank you," Danielle says and leaves the tent. Doug follows her faithfully. 

"What the hell are you doing, Doug?" Danielle asks unhappy about having the bodyguard following her.

"Trevor ordered me to be your bodyguard once he found out where you were. It's worth my life if you leave my sight, Danielle."

"Fine, that ass has my keys so I can't even go home. Better take me to the hospital. Has there been any word on him since he was taken there?"

"No, but he might be in surgery still."

"What about Jeremiah?"

"I believe he was sent home to rest shortly after I brought you into the tent."

Danielle sighs, "That's good. It's probably something unusual for them to actually be able to be in the open and receive medical care like normal people." Doug doesn't say anything but it does seem different to him. 

Danielle is quiet the whole ride to the hospital. She would love to be able to change into some clean clothes. These ones are ruined with all the blood in them.

There at the hospital she finds many more of the men from her husband's employ. "Mrs. Williams." They all greet her politely.

"Any word on that idiot?" At their confused look she clarifies. "Any word on Trevor?"

"No, Mrs. Williams. They took him into surgery  over an hour ago and we haven't heard anything since."

"Thank you." Danielle says sitting down on a chair. Doug offers to get her something to drink.

"Just a water thanks." She's already too jittery for coffee and sodas and juices wouldn't be a good idea at this point.

Some time later, Danielle is lost in her thoughts trying to figure out how she's going to leave now, when the doctor comes out. "Family of Mr. Williams."

"I'm Danielle Williams." Danielle stands up, Doug goes to her side to make sure that she is okay.

"We were able to stop the bleeding. We were able to repair all the damage done by the bullet. Barring any complications he should make a full recovery. Whoever helped at the shooting to stop the bleeding probably saved his life."

Danielle nods her understanding. The doctor thinks that it might have been her with all the blood on her. "When will I be able to see that idiot?"

The doctor raises his eyebrow at her description of him. "He's in recovery right now. When he is moved to his room he can have visitors."

"That idiot put himself over me, to protect me. He shouldn't have done that doctor, that's why he's an idiot."

"He must love you very much Mrs. Williams." The doctor smiles. Men might declare that they are willing to take a bullet for someone, but few have actually done so.

"Not really. I'm his father's widow, he doesn't even really like me. His father's last wish was for him to protect me. He did love his father." The surgeon is blushing at his error.

Danielle looks at him, "I'm sorry doctor. I shouldn't have said anything, forgive me."

The doctor mumbles something then leaves.

"The boss does care about you, Danielle." Doug says softly at her side.

Danielle sighs, "No, he doesn't. He would have killed me himself if Max hadn't of asked him to protect me as his dying wish." Danielle looks at Doug, "I need to rest."

Doug nods and leads her off to the waiting room close to where Trevor's room is. Danielle falls asleep curled up on the small hard couch. Doug manages to get a nurse to hand him a couple of blankets and a pillow. Doug puts them over Danielle gently and carefully places the pillow under her head.

Danielle wakes to the smell of food and the sound of a busy hospital. She stretches and wrinkles her nose as the smell of old blood reaches her. Then she remembers about yesterday and she lets her arms fall.

"Take this and eat Danielle," Doug says handing her a tray of food.

"Is that idiot up yet?" Danielle says even as she takes her first bite.

"Yeah, the nurse call light went on some time ago. She still hasn't come back out though." Doug says already seeing the look on Danielle's face.

Danielle doesn't care. She picks up her tray and marches into the room. The sight that meets her eyes makes her want to laugh. The nurse not so much.

The nurse and Trevor were kissing. "Trevor, couldn't you at least wait until she's off shift?" Her voice acts like cold water to Trevor.

"Danielle, shit." Trevor lays his head back down.

"If you hadn't of hijacked my keys then I wouldn't be here now." Nope, she would be in another city far away from here. Somewhere where she hopefully would never have to see him again.

"They're in my pants pocket." Trevor says and Danielle just looks at him waiting for further information.

"His things that he came in are in the closet Miss."

Danielle gets an evil look on her face. "Actually it's Mrs., Mrs. Williams." Danielle says offering her hand to the nurse who has turned white.

Trevor looks daggers at Danielle. 

Danielle smiles, "He's my step son." The relief on the nurses face is almost comical. 

"Will your husband be coming by anytime soon?" The nurse asks guilelessly.

And like that Danielle's smile disappears and tears come. She goes to the closet and finds the pants or their remains. She takes out her keys. "Order your guard dogs to stay here, Trevor."

Trevor knew as soon as the nurse mentioned his father that Danielle would leave. "I'm not going to do that, Danielle. You know that dad wants you safe."

"Like you give a fuck. Your father is dead. Just leave me alone." Danielle says and storms out of the room.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Williams, I didn't know." The nurse says after Danielle leaves.

"It's alright. She's still grieving him." So is he, but now he knows that Danielle will be doing another disappearing trick. He doesn't think he'll be so lucky to find her by accident again.

The nurse leaves, and Trevor is able to let out his anger, "Shit!"