Saxon's Conquest Read online

  Micah didn’t stop to ask questions, even though he had them. “Will do, I just talked to her a moment ago. She’ll get back with you in a few minutes.”

  Saxon hung up and waited, going to his knees next to Alivia. “Hang on, my love.”

  Buzz!

  “Hello?” Saxon’s head jerked up, anxious to get help on the way. “Savvy?”

  “Yes, Saxon, this is Savvy Hart.”

  Saxon closed his eyes, amazed he was having this conversation with a robot. “Savvy, Alivia is hurt.”

  “I know she is, Saxon. Her vitals are very alarming.”

  “She needs blood. Could you tell me where I could get some? Do you know where the other people live who share her blood type?” He leaned over, so the medic could hear and write down the details.

  “Yes. I have that information. They all live overseas. The closest one is in the British Isles in a small town in Cornwall called St. Ives. The man’s name is Harris Blair. He is forty-two years old, and his telephone number is…”

  She rattled off the information, and the medic began dialing his own phone to find out the possibilities of getting help from the stranger.

  While he placed the overseas call, Saxon held Alivia’s hand as Savvy bombarded him with questions.

  “Is she in pain?”

  “I don’t think so. She’s sleeping.” Saxon realized he was speaking to Savvy as if she was a child to be protected – and maybe she was.

  “I want to see her.”

  “We’re on our way to the hospital now, Seton Center in North Austin. Micah will bring you over soon, I’m sure.” He wasn’t sure robots would be allowed to visit, but he’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

  “Is she going to die, Saxon?”

  Saxon closed his eyes and prayed. “No, Savvy. I won’t let her.” He made a promise he hoped to hell he could keep.

  “Alivia asked me to do research on a blood substitute created by a man named Allan Dolman, a researcher at Rice University in Houston. I have some information if it will help. I’ll get in touch with…”

  “Savvy, let me call you back, we’re about to put Alivia on a life flight.” Saxon ended the call, relieved they were pulling into the driveway of the closest hospital where a helicopter waited to take them to Austin.

  During the next few minutes, while Alivia was being transferred from the ambulance to the helicopter, Saxon paced nervously. The medic who’d called England came to him with a solemn look, handing him the paper where he’d written the name and telephone number of the other person with RH Null blood. “Mr. Blair is willing to help, but the problem is going to be time. Getting the blood and flying it to Austin may take too…”

  “I’ll handle it.” Saxon understood, but he didn’t want to hear it. “You just see that she has the best of care and I’ll get the blood here – hell or high water.” Not willing to give up, he called Micah back as he climbed into the helicopter. “Micah, could you ask Kyle if he would take the Chancellor jet to England to pick up blood for Alivia’s transfusion?” He gave him the same information he’d given the medic.

  “We’ll take care of this, Saxon. Don’t worry.”

  “I’ll try.” To not worry was a tall order, Saxon thought as he stared at Alivia. “How is she?” he asked the medic who was, once more, taking her vitals.

  “We have the bleeding stopped, but she’s going to have to have surgery.” The medic met Saxon’s gaze. “I won’t lie to you; it’s going to be touch and go.”

  Going to his knees, he bowed his head and placed it next to Alivia’s on the gurney where she laid. “I’m not giving up on you, sweetheart. So, don’t you dare give up on yourself. There’s so much I need to tell you. So much living we have to do.” He kissed her on the cheek, then wiped away a tear that had landed on her soft skin – a tear from his own sad eyes.

  * * *

  “How is she?” Madison asked from the entrance to the waiting room.

  Saxon rose to his feet, relieved to see his friend. “She’s in X-ray, they’re going to try and delay the surgery until we can get the blood here.”

  “Good news on that score,” Micah announced as he came in behind his wife, guiding Savvy through the automatic door. “Titus contacted a NATO pilot friend of his from the service who’s stationed in England; he’s going to collect the donation from Mr. Blair and meet Titus in New York. The Chancellor jet is being fueled as we speak.”

  Saxon nodded. “That’s great. I appreciate everybody’s help so much.” He knew his friends would move heaven and earth for Alivia. He just prayed their help would come in time.

  “Have you eaten anything?” Madison asked, handing Saxon his favorite drink.

  “Thanks.” He took the can of Red Bull and popped the top, taking a sip. “No, I haven’t eaten, I’ll get something when I hear she’s stable.”

  “I want to see Alivia,” Savvy stated flatly. “I need to see her.”

  Saxon felt his heart contract. “I know, I feel the same way. We just have to give the doctors enough time to help her.”

  “Excuse me.”

  A female voice caused Saxon to spring to his feet. “Yes?” When he saw the solemn look on the face of the woman wearing green scrubs, he almost went to his knees.

  “Hello, I’m Dr. Beth Reese.”

  “Saxon Abbott.” He offered his hand to the doctor. “How is she?”

  The doctor shook his hand, but the expression on her face didn’t change. “Ms. Hart has sustained serious injuries. The bullet hit a rib and fragments went into her lungs and…her heart.”

  “Oh, God,” Madison cried out with a gasp.

  Micah went to Saxon, gripping his shoulder to give him strength for what he was about to hear.

  “Is she…” If the doctor said that she’d lost her, Saxon didn’t know what he’d do.

  “She’s alive, but we need to perform surgery as quickly as possible. If the fragment in her heart shifts and cuts her aorta, we won’t be able to save her. How long until we receive the RH Null you’re having shipped in?”

  “We should have it here in twelve hours,” Micah spoke up, his voice strong and sure.

  Saxon held his breath while the doctor looked at Alivia’s chart on his tablet. He noticed a small nervous tick by the woman’s mouth. Seeing that the professional was feeling tension did little for Saxon’s confidence. “Is that going to be soon enough?”

  The doctor shook her head. “I don’t know; I hope so. If there’s anything you can do to speed up the process, do it. Ms. Hart is in critical condition. We can’t predict the future at this point, all we can do is watch and wait. I can’t operate without blood for her, and only an operation is going to save her.”

  Saxon clenched his fists. He had an undeniable urge to hit something or somebody. He felt fuckin’ helpless. “There’s got to be something…”

  Beth Reese laid a comforting hand on Saxon’s arm. “Mr. Abbott, I know Ms. Hart. Not long ago, she saved the life of one of my patients, a little girl who needed her blood. Rest assured, I’m going to do everything in my power help her. Alivia is a good person.”

  “She is.” Saxon nodded. “Yes, please. I need a miracle.”

  “I’ll help you pray for that miracle, Mr. Abbott,” Dr. Reese promised.

  “Saxon.” Savvy tugged on his shirt.

  “Thank you, doctor.” Saxon felt like he was going to throw up. “When can I see her?”

  “Give us a little more time. A nurse will come after you shortly.” With one more sympathetic nod, the physician took her leave.

  “Saxon.” Savvy pulled on his shirt again.

  “Listen to her,” Madison urged from a few feet away. “She’s been so anxious to tell you an idea she has to help.”

  “What?” He turned to face them, his voice harsher than he intended.

  “Easy, man,” Micah gently admonished him.

  “Sorry.” Shaking his head, he reached out and touched Savvy’s shoulder. As much as he’d been around the robot, he’d
never touched her this way. Odd, she felt…warm. Human. He looked into her face and saw concern. “What is it, Savvy?”

  “I tried to tell you earlier; there’s something we can do to help Alivia.”

  “What are you talking about?” Even as he asked her the question, his mind was racing, trying to think of something – anything – he could do to help the woman he loved.

  “I’ve been communicating with a man who has developed an artificial blood substitute to pick up oxygen from the lungs and move it throughout the body. It’s created from purified human hemoglobin, which is the oxygen-carrying part of blood cells. He uses a special synthetic polymer to coat the cells, which makes it usable for any blood type – even Alivia’s.”

  What she was telling Saxon finally sunk in. “Are you saying there’s someone out there who might be able to help Alivia?”

  “Yes!” She smiled. “Dr. Dolman just got approved for testing. He’s willing to add Alivia to the clinical trial and send a sample if her doctor is willing to try. She’ll still need the blood transfusion, but this could keep her alive until it gets here.”

  Saxon grabbed Savvy by the shoulders and kissed her. “Email Dr. Dolman and ask if I can call him, then I’ll talk to Dr. Reese and convince her to agree.”

  * * *

  “Sweet girl, can you hear me?” Saxon leaned over Alivia, cradling her hand in his, pressing butterfly kisses to her cheek. “I love you. I love you so much.” He swallowed, trying to get rid of the knot in his throat. “I wish I’d told you before. I was scared. Can you believe that? I was so scared you wouldn’t love me back.”

  He studied her face, counting her breaths, trying to ignore all the monitoring machines recording every beat of her heart. “Everything is going to be okay, I promise. Help is on its way. Our friends are coming through for us. Titus is on the way to collect the blood you’ll need, and one of our Cajun friends will be here in just a little while with something else that will help you. Your miracle girl, Miss Savvy, found a blood substitute that will let the doctors operate sooner. The research you asked her to do may very well save your life. Isn’t that something?” He pushed a strand of hair from her forehead, the need to touch her almost overwhelming him. “I had a hard time convincing your doctor to try it, but I did.” Saxon had pulled out all the stops, begging Dr. Reese to talk to Allan Dolman on the phone. Saxon had argued with the doctor, insisting she weigh the likelihood of Alivia surviving until the blood could arrive from England. Reese had finally admitted she doubted she could, and that attempting to save her life with the blood substitute was her only chance to live. Saxon had gladly signed the consent form to approve the use of the experimental drug. “I’d move mountains for you, baby. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

  Beep! Beep! Beep!

  Saxon jerked back as one of the alarms on the monitors began to go off. “Nurse!” he yelled. “Alivia? Alivia?”

  “Get back, Mr. Abbott.” A nurse nudged him aside as she came to Alivia’s aid.

  “What’s happening?” Saxon demanded to know.

  “Get the doctor in here,” one nurse told the other. “It’s her heart.”

  Saxon wanted to scream as he watched the medical professionals work on her. Dr. Reese came rushing in, giving orders. “Get her to the OR! We’re going to have to start the operation. The shrapnel has undoubtedly shifted, we’ve run out of time.” She glanced at Saxon. “How long until the blood substitute gets here?”

  Saxon glanced at his watch. “A half hour?”

  “Get it here faster!” the doctor yelled as she followed the gurney carrying Alivia from the room.

  Saxon’s heart was pounding so hard, he thought he might pass out. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he called Spicer Ford, who’d volunteered to pick up the blood substitute and drive it to Austin from Houston. “Where are you, buddy?” he asked when his friend answered.

  “I’m on the toll road, just outside of Manor.”

  “How fast can you get here? They just took Alivia to surgery. The bullet fragment moved in her heart.” The words tasted like bile in his mouth.

  “I’m weaving in and out of traffic as best as I can. If I had Jet’s motorcycle, I could pull an Evil Knievel and start jumping cars.”

  “Don’t take any chances, Ford. I couldn’t handle anything happening to you either.”

  “I know, it’s just this damn traffic.” There was a pause, then Spicer spoke again, his tone urgent. “Hey, you have some high-up connections there in Austin. Why don’t you call one of them and ask for a police escort to bring me in the rest of the way?”

  “Damn, good idea.” Saxon felt weak with relief. “Why didn’t I think of that?” His brain just wasn’t working at full capacity.

  On his way to the waiting room, he phoned Destry, only to hear the ringtone the Counselor used for his calls ringing close by.

  “Yes?”

  “You’re here.” Saxon picked up his pace as he neared the waiting room.

  “We’re all here,” Destry told him, and when he turned the corner, he saw the truth for himself.

  “You’re all here,” Saxon repeated with relief. Save for Titus and Jet, all the Equalizer family had rallied around him. Destry. Kyle and his Hannah. Micah and Madison. Tyson and his ‘not my girlfriend’, Marisol. Savvy was also with them, having fast found a place in all their hearts.

  “Where else would we be?” Micah asked, patting a seat beside him. “How is she?”

  “Headed to surgery, they can’t wait any longer.” He looked at Kyle, then Destry. “I just spoke to Spicer, and he’s snarled up in traffic. Could you send a police escort out to bring him in?” He gave his friend the location. “I think every second is going to count if Alivia is going to beat this.”

  “Consider it done.” Kyle nodded to Destry, who promptly rose and stepped away to make a phone call. “We’ll have Ford here in no time.”

  “Thanks. Thank you all.” He sank down in the chair between Micah and Hannah as Madison promptly plopped a bag in his lap. “What’s this?”

  “Food. Eat,” she told him.

  Saxon knew he needed to eat, but knowing Alivia was fighting for her life stole any appetite he might have.

  “Alivia needs you,” Hannah told him. “And you need your strength.”

  “Right.” He took the sandwich from the bag and took a bite.

  During the next few minutes, Saxon took solace in the presence of his friends and, just listening to them talk. He learned that Victoria’s funeral was planned and as many of them as possible would be there to support Destry. Saxon hated to even try and imagine what he must be feeling, he knew the couple hadn’t been together long, but now Destry would never know what the future might’ve held for them.

  “We’ll have to tell Alivia that the pageant went on as planned,” Micah informed him. “As soon as the place was cleaned up, the crowd returned, and a new Miss Texas was crowned.”

  “She’ll be glad to hear that,” Saxon muttered. “I just wish we’d have caught him sooner, before so many people died.” Victoria, Mindy, Josephine, the poor lab technician who’d only been doing her job. All the women over the years who’d fallen prey to Father Murray and his successor, Johnny Raymond, aka Adam Curtiss.

  “We did our best and our best saved countless lives. If we hadn’t foiled that bastard’s plan, there’s no telling how many would’ve died in the bomb blast.”

  “I know.” He glanced over at Micah. “You and Harley LeBlanc are the real heroes, defusing that bomb.”

  Micah shook his head. “This was a team effort. It took us all working together to get it done.”

  “Yea, but you led the team, Micah, and I think you should continue to lead the team. You have my vote,” Saxon said with conviction.

  “Hell, I don’t know. I fear I have my hands full at the moment. We can’t go on with this dark cloud hanging over us. I’m sick of worrying about Madison’s safety every second of the day. None of us will be safe until I deal with the Jag
uar.”

  Saxon wadded up his sandwich wrapping and crammed it back into the sack. “There’s only one flaw in your reasoning.”

  “What’s that?” Micah asked.

  “You won’t be dealing with the Jaguar alone. We’ll all be at your side.” He waved his hand around the room. “Look at these people; they’re here for me. Even Titus, who I admit I had my doubts about, has come through for me with flying colors. If my Alivia survives, it will be because I have friends like you.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Micah. “We’ll get the Jaguar, we’ll take the bastard out – but we’ll do it together.”

  Suddenly, the sound of sirens could be heard, and Saxon jumped to his feet. A second or two later, big Spicer Ford came hurrying into the room with a small cooler in his arms. “I got the goods!”

  “Thank God!” Saxon rushed forward to meet him, taking the bag from his hands, giving the mountain of a man a quick, grateful hug. “Thanks, man. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

  “Just take care of my dog. His name is Beast,” Spicer said, pushing him toward the hall. “Go. Save your woman.”

  Saxon didn’t have to be told twice; he took off at a fast clip. “Nurse! Nurse!” An RN came to meet him, taking the bag and heading quickly to the OR.

  Weak with relief, Saxon sank against the wall. “Now, all he could do was wait.”

  …The next five hours were the longest of Saxon’s existence. He knew Alivia’s life hung in the balance, and he’d done everything he could do to help. Her life rested in the hands of fate and the skills of a medical team. At this point, all Saxon could do was pray.

  And pray he did.

  He made promises to a higher power whose very existence he’d often questioned. The old adage about there being no atheists in foxholes proved true; this was his foxhole – his war – the battle of his lifetime. “She has to live. Please, God, let her live.” He’d do good works, he’d fight to save people, he’d do anything… “Just let me keep her. I love her so.”

  Savvy and his friends were with him when the doctor came to give him the news.

  Saxon stood to his feet, his heart hammering, his palms sweaty. “How is she?”