The Taste of Seduction

"Miss Rossi is in a coma." The doctor said catiously.

"Coma?" Atlas asked calmly, too calmly.

Ace glanced at him because he knew what his calmness meant. He was about to explode.

"Atlas" He warned.

"What do you mean she is in coma?! I don't care how you're going to do it but you better fucking wake her up before I blow up this hospital!" He commanded

"I know how you feel, Mr. Martini but-"

"You don't fucking know how I feel!" He yelled at the doctor.

"I'm sorry Mr. Martini. She was barely breathing when you brought her and she had lost a lot of blood. During the surgery we completely lost. Her heart stopped beating for 0.5sec but by some miracle her heart started breathing again." The doctor tried to explain to Atlas.

Atlas ran his hands through his hair. His inner torment was all too visible on his face.

"Mr. Martini I know this is difficult for you. I don't know if you believe in God or not but trust me the fact that Miss Rossi is still alive is a miracle that we haven't even seen before in the surgical room. That should tell you that she is a fighter and she wouldn't give up. Have faith."

The doctor said with a soft smile on his face.

"What do you mean?" Ace asked in a low voice. He looked so pale and was sweating.

The doctor frowned when he glanced at him. He thought maybe he was shaken by the incident.

"Her pulse was almost non-existent, her blood level was very low. We were even afraid to perform the surgery because we can't perform surgery when someone's HB level is less than 6. Like I said, a miracle."

Ace nodded.

"So will she be alright?"

Adam who was been quiet throughout finally asked worriedly.

"Well, I can't say. We have successfully removed the bullet from her stomach. The bullet was weird though, it's nothing like we have seen before. Who ever shot her wanted her dead, because the bullet hit her intestines. "

Ace and Atlas exchanged a look.

"She is in a comatose condition and we can not predict when she would wake up. Let's all hope it will be soon."

"That the bullet-can we see it?" Ace asked.

He knew his brother wasn't in the correct state at the moment. So he had to manage every thing.

"Sorry but it's against our policy. We will give it to the police as evidence. You can talk to them." The doctor replied. He gaze at Ace for a few seconds and frowned.

"Are you okay? You seem weak." He asked Ace softly.

Atlas glanced at Ace and frowned. How could he not see that something was wrong with his brother. He was so lost that he didn't realize that Ace was holding crutches and he seemed to be in an immense pain. That says a lot because Ace didn't show emotion for him to be shaking and sweating it was bad.

"Don't worry about me. I recently woke up from a year coma." He explained to the doctor.

"Don't put pressure on your body. You need to rest and allow your body to heal." The doctor reprimanded him.

Ace nodded, "Hmm."

"Ace, are you okay?" Atlas asked, concern etched in his voice.

"Yeah, don't worry about me. As long as you need me, I will always be by your side no matter the circumstance."

Atlas gave his brother a grateful nod.

"I have to go, if you need anything ask the nurses."

"Thank you doc."

Atlas heard a hurried footsteps and turned to see Sofia walking briskly towards him. She was wearing her sweatpants and her hair was tied in a messy bun for someone like Sofia who values her look this spoke a lot.

"Where is Merri?!" Sofia demanded, not even greeting them.

"She" Atlas looked down unable to bear the sadness brewing in Sofia's eyes.

"She is in coma." Ace said.

Sofia turned to met Ace's green eyes and she raised her eyebrows at him in disbelief.

"A-ce.." She called out barely a whisper.

"Sorry" Atlas spoke breaking her from her trance.

"What the hell happened?! She was so happy to go on this trip with you and this happened? You're supposed to fucking protect her. You know being Atlas Martini comes with enemies and you let your guard down! This is all you freaking fucking fault and you should pray nothing happens to my best fried or I swear I will kill you myself." Sofia yelled as tears fell from her eyes.

Albert pulled her into a hug, "Shss.I don't think Merri would want you to blame Atlas. See he is suffering too. Don't be harsh on him."

Atlas just stood there.

It's all your fault

Fault

"Sorry" he muttered because it was the only thing his mouth could utter right now.

Shards of guilt swirled in his cold blue eyes.

"You're right.I should have protected her. Protect her." Atlas whispered.

He hated himself. He couldn't protect his own woman. He was so useless, useless.

"Atlas.don't. Sofia is just hurt. Don't let her words get to you."

Albert said softly.

"I knowknow.."

Then he walked away, not sparing anyone of them a glance.

He hated the pity look in their eyes. He couldn't stand the hatred in Sofia's eyes.

He just wanted to be alone-alone with his lonely, guilty thoughts.

"Atlas!" Adam shouted, he took a step to chase him but Ace placed his hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"Don't-leave him alone"

"But-"Adam interjected.

"I will let someone keep an eye on him. He would be fine. He just needs to be alone."

Adam wanted to argue but he had heard the stories about the Martini's brothers and if anyone knew Atlas better. It was his brother.

Adam nodded.

Ace's gaze fell on Sofia who was crying in Albert's arms and unknown emotion swept through his eyes.

Adam followed Ace's gaze and saw him glaring at Albert who had Sofia in his arms.

He raised his brows in question but said nothing