She hated being at hospitals. All that medical smell would make her sick, and the doctors were running the corridors like wild animals. It wasn't in enough control. She doubted if this hospital was even qualified for her friend to stay in. But the real reason of her avoiding to be in a hospital comes far more serious than that.

It wasn't her problem, you needed to be careful with everyone with a needle these days. Maybe you'll be jacked up with mercury and dead without saying goodbye to your friends or family in a split second.

Despite her hatred towards hospitals, it wasn't enough from stopping her become the night watch of Anthony Marconi.

She stood by the window, looking at all sorts of lights flickering in the night. It was beautiful, comparing New York City in daylight, which never fascinated Iris at all in her life time. The true face of the city always lies in the darkness.

Elias told Iris Anthony's accident right after their men had secured him out of the danger zone. It was honestly the first time Iris had heard Anthony was in life's threat. Some ingredients of hormones and alcohol would bake a perfect thought of committing drunk driving and speeding to the hospital. Thankfully the policemen were in pursue of an important subject up in the north side of NYC and didn't take notice of Iris's short run to the hospital.

She felt her inner body heat up from the multiple shots of vodka she took before slamming her apartment door. The ride in the elevator was a roller-coaster for her, as her head spun like crazy after a few days of continuous drinking and hangovers. She leaped wide steps to her car in the apartment garage, hardly keeping any balance from falling. Nothing else was on her expect her phone, keys and handgun.

Her hands shook like hell when she was putting her keys into the ignition.

For the first time she felt afraid.

They were on to them.

And they were under the darkness for too long.

Were they ready?

Were they going to win?

There were so many things Iris had doubted. It wasn't because of her disloyalty. She was loyal to Elias for sure, but after all these years she lost confidence in herself and their work. She wasn't a person who could wait for decades just to hold on what they desired when they were children.

An empire in New York City.

It was impossible in Iris's eyes.

The dark sky inked the clouds above the buildings; it only made iris fear more of what is going to come before them. She turned her head to see Anthony resting on the patient's bed with an unconscious frown.

How exactly did he get shot? Although he was stable now, Iris knew it was possible for any men from HR or the Italians to kill Anthony in silence. That's why Iris was here; she might not admit that she cared for him, but she would do anything for protecting Elias and his team.

Iris had another question in mind at the time: why was Anthony shot but not dead. The point of entry wasn't even lethal. There was a huge blood loss, but nothing showed the gunner wanted him dead. None of the men with Anthony were shot either, according to the guys who briefed Iris, there were only a few missed bullets and the one that hit Anthony. No one would want to injure one of Elias's men, especially his lieutenant, simply because there was no point; the only way to weaken Elias was to kill his men. This would be true only if HR and Elias weren't playing a chess game.

Was this only a coincidence? Or did they start their game already.

The majority of security detail Elias had was also in the hospital. To be honest, with Iris here Elias could have called off some of the guys in case if he needed some. She hoped this was not some kind of distraction of a larger plot.

HR isn't that bright, are they?

Iris left the view and grabbed a chair beside the wall closer to Anthony. The continuity of beeping from the cardiac monitor had implanted into Iris's mind. Her back was slightly bend over to let her elbow rest on the bed; she had her hands cover her mouth to let in a deep inhale of oxygen.

She used to cogitate the future more than the present, or the past, but this time something seemed to take over her rational side.

He's fine.

Beep.

He'll live.

Beep.

He'll be alive.

Beep.

Author's Note:

I did some edits on the previous chapters, and added a bit more to each of them.

Hope you liked this one! I will be going into more Anthony/Iris conflicts before I write anything about them being nice to each other.

Please do review so I know how I'm doing, thanks!