Chapter 6 - Leo at the Door
Leo had not moved much since Roman entered the trauma bay.
He stood near the open double doors, black suit damp at the shoulders, shaved dark hair catching the fluorescent glare, heavy arms at his sides.
He looked too large for the hospital.
Too quiet for the emergency.
Clara had seen bodyguards before.
Politicians.
Athletes.
Wealthy families.
Most filled rooms with ego.
Leo filled it with readiness.
He had not interfered with treatment.
He had not barked demands.
He had not touched a nurse, a doctor, or an instrument tray.
But the entire trauma bay knew he could cross the distance to Hemlock in less than two seconds.
Roman knew it best.
That was why Roman only had to say one word.
Leo.
The name had changed the air.
Now Leo’s gaze remained fixed on Hemlock’s hands and the silver wristwatch.
Not the doctor’s face.
Not the instruments.
His hands.
Hemlock became painfully aware of them.
He tucked one close to his chest.
Then realized that looked weak.
Then lowered it.
Then saw Leo watching.
Then lifted it again.
Clara saw the panic repeat in tiny gestures.
For a man who ruled by making others afraid, fear looked clumsy on Hemlock.
Roman’s monitor steadied another degree.
The oxygen mask fogged faintly with each breath.
His eyelids lowered for half a second, then opened again.
He was exhausted.
In pain.
Still dangerous.
Clara stepped toward the medication tray.
Hemlock shifted too quickly, as if to block her.
Leo’s shoe scraped the floor.
Hemlock froze.
Clara passed.
No one spoke.
The silence was suffocating.
One nurse finally whispered, “Clara, behind you.”
Clara turned, accepted what she needed, and returned to Roman’s side.
Her ponytail felt heavy now, the roots aching.
She knew there would be bruising at her scalp.
She knew Hemlock would later say he redirected her in an emergency.
She knew administrators loved words like “miscommunication” and “high-pressure environment.”
But Roman had seen.
Leo had seen.
The nurses had seen.
The room had changed.
Hemlock leaned over Roman with forced contempt.
“You’re in no condition to make enemies.”
Roman’s eyes opened wider.
He pulled the oxygen mask just enough for his voice to escape.
“I’m in exactly the condition to remember them.”
Hemlock’s lips pressed together.
Clara’s heart beat hard.
Leo’s shadow grew longer across the floor.
May you like
The monitor continued its slow return toward stability.
Read Chapter 7 👉 Because Hemlock tried to hide behind Roman’s injuries, but Roman made it clear pain had not weakened his memory.
