Page 114 of Righteous Enforcer
His face remains impassive as he assesses the situation. "We can arrange for a doctor to come here.”
"What kind of doctor?" I demand. "What are their qualifications? Their specialties?"
Nico’s eyebrow raises slightly. "He's good. He's the one we use."
"For what? Gunshot wounds? Stab wounds?" My voice rises as my desperation grows. "She's a three-year-old with a high fever. She needs a pediatrician, not a trauma surgeon."
He lifts his arms in surrender. “I’m sure he knows how to fix colds and flu.”
“When did you get your medical degree to know that’s what she has?” I snap.
His jaw tightens.
"Look, I understand the restrictions. I do. But this is Adriano's daughter we're talking about. His daughter."
Nico glances at Sophia, and I see the tug-of-war in both their minds.
No one who has seen Adriano with Mirabella would miss how much he loves her and how he’d go to the ends of the earth for her.
"You can send as many guards as you want to escort us," I continue. "They can be in the exam room with us. They can surround the entire building. I don't care. But Mirabella needs proper medical care from someone who specializes in children."
"Adriano would want the best care for his daughter," I say, delivering my final argument. "If anything happens to her because we waited or used the wrong doctor, how do you think he'll react?"
Nobody wants to face Adriano's wrath if something happens to Mirabella.
"Fine," Nico finally says. "But we do this our way. Four men minimum. No stopping anywhere else. Straight to the doctor and back."
Relief washes over me. "Thank you."
Twenty minutes later, we're in a black SUV heading toward the pediatric clinic.
I sit in the back seat, cradling Mirabella while two armed men sit beside us.
The other two are upfront with one driving.
Mirabella dozes fitfully against me, her small body radiating heat.
I press my lips to her forehead, whispering promises that she'll feel better soon, hoping that it’s true.
The pediatrician's office thankfully is able to get us in after a fifteen-minute wait.
I suspect saying that she’s Adriano Dante’s daughter helped speed things up.
In the exam room, Nico stands in the corner, eyes constantly scanning for threats, or perhaps making sure I don’t run, while trying to appear inconspicuous in this cheerful space decorated with cartoon animals.
Dr. Chen examines Mirabella while I hover anxiously nearby.
Her stethoscope moves across my daughter's back as Mirabella cries from how cold it is.
The doctor checks her nose, mouth, and ears as well.
"Ear infection," Dr. Chen diagnoses. "Not uncommon, but her fever is quite high. I'll prescribe antibiotics and something for the pain."
Relief washes through me. "Will she be okay?"
"With proper medication and rest, she should improve within forty-eight hours. Has she had many ear infections?”
“No.” The last one was when she was just eighteen months old.
