Mireille wipes my face again with the washcloth. “Here. Try to drink this.” She holds a cup of tea to my lips. “The doctor said you can have it.”
I take a small sip, glad that my mouth seems to be working again. I try to squeeze her hand, but barely have the strength to do so.
“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” She wipes my mouth as she speaks. She glances sideways at Uncle, talking to the doctor, and several Soldats. Her eyes narrow. “We don’t need all of them here.” she mutters angrily under her breath.
The doctor comes back over to me, shines his penlight in my eyes one more time, and smiles.
“You’ll be much better by morning.” He turns and shakes Uncle’s hand. “Call me if you need anything.”
“And as always, I thank you for your services.” Uncle replies. He motions to the two men standing silently by the door. “Henry, stay right inside the front door. Marchaud, escort the doctor to his car and get an update from the street unit.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Mireille sits the teacup on the nightstand and gets up, facing him.
“Protecting you.” he answers absently, clicking something on his cell phone.
“We don’t need your help. We don’t need anything from Soldats.” she snaps out, putting her hands on her hips.
“Mireille…” I say her name softly, and she snorts angrily, but says nothing further.
Uncle sighs heavily, and walks down to the foot of the bed. “May I?” he nods his head at me. “My knee is ready to give out.”
I nod my head back at him, and he sits down, leaning his cane against his knee.
“Now then, Kirika. If you’re up to it, I want to hear what happened.”
I nod my head. Mireille frowns.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?” she glares at him. She stands closer to me and takes my hand, as if she’s guarding me from him. “I told you, we can handle this.”
“It is truly amazing.” He snaps his phone shut and puts it back in his jacket. “But I believe you are more stubborn than your father, Mireille Bouquet.” He reaches into another pocket and pulls out a pen and notepad. He raises his head and meets her gaze solemnly with his own.
“I hope it doesn’t bring you the same fate.”

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