Alannah's plan was working. Akihiko was acting like a love-sick puppy, which meant it was easier for her to scope the place and plan an escape. She had managed not to get too close to Akihiko, using her iron blood levels as an excuse. Any doubts in Akihiko's mind were erased when the doctor confirmed her blood levels were far too high and proposed bloodletting.
"It just seems so barbaric, doctor. Is there no other treatment?" Akihiko complained.
"It is the standard treatment for this condition. She will be tired for a week after that, but she will be fine. " The doctor confirmed. Alannah thought the doctor seemed rather young and yet he looked very worn out. She had seen that look before and knew exactly what it meant.
"It is OK, Akihiko, I will be fine," Alannah said with a sweet smile.
Akihiko had said, kissing her lips. "I know, I just can't bear the thought of you being hurt like that."
"I'll be fine. I'll see you in an hour. Go and catch up on some emails, "Alannah said.
"Always thinking of others, aren't you? All right, my love, I'll do as you suggest." Akihiko said before glaring at the doctor and continuing, "Any mistakes or undue pain will be punished most severely."
Alannah sighed when Akihiko went out of the room. She needed a break! "I need the small needle size, black I think. I have easily collapsible veins and smaller needles stop it, "Alannah said.
"Thank you," the doctor said gratefully. The young man looked like he was in his early 20s, with short black hair and dark brown eyes. There were large bags under his eyes.
"Don't worry, I know he can be grumpy sometimes. So who's debt are you paying off? " Alannah said as she relaxed. She felt a scratch as the needle went in.
"Pardon?" The doctor said.
"Mine is my brother's gambling debts. Since I was 14, I have been forced to fight, " Alannah said.
"You are a cursed one too?" The doctor was shocked.
"Yeah, my name is Alannah Seaswell," Alannah said with a smile.
"It is my sister's drug debt. Either I come work for Akihiko, or they will rape her for the rest of her life. I am Doctor John Tanaka, " John said.
He did not mention his sister, who overdosed and died soon after. What was the point of bringing this woman down even more?
"John?" Alannah said, surprised. It was not a Japanese name.
"My parents were massive fans of Johnny Cash."
"Oh cool! Well, hang on in there, things will get better, " Alannah said confidently. "Hold on, they are coming. Bruce would not lie to you!" Alannah thought as she closed her eyes. Alannah had not realised she had fallen asleep.
"Poor girl. I hope Akihiko treats her better than his other partners," John thought. The number of women whom he had to treat due to spending the night with Akihiko was ridiculous. The injuries can range from severe bruising to broken bones, bite marks, and even branding. The women thought they could become Empress by getting into Akihiko's bed. They were sadly mistaken, and Akihiko used them to fulfil his sadistic pleasures. Those women were often stuck up, but this one seemed different.
Akihiko came back an hour later to find Alannah asleep on the hospital bed. He stroked her hair gently, but she did not stir. He was concerned because there were huge bags under her eyes and she looked pale.
"Emperor," John said with a bow.
"How is she?" Akihiko said, not turning to look at him.
"She is strong but exhausted. It will take a while for her iron levels to drop, but when they do, she will feel a lot better. Miss Seaswell will need a very low vitamin C and iron diet for a few weeks. I would also like to monitor her every day, with your permission, of course, " John said respectfully.
"Yes, of course, you have obviously done well. Can she be moved? " Akihiko said.
"Certainly, she just needs to take it very slowly and have plenty of bed rest. If she gets up too quickly, she could faint due to low blood pressure, " John said. He hoped to give Alannah as much of a break as he could.
"I will make sure she stays in bed," Akihiko confirmed. He then surprised the doctor by lifting Alannah and carrying her out of the medical centre. Akihiko carried her up to his bedroom and laid her on his bed gently.
Akihiko had dreamed of this day for so long! Alannah had never been far from his thoughts. He should never have left her in China all those years ago. But the Nine-Tails were keeping a close eye on her and they would have killed him if they had tried! He thought as he gently took her shoes off and put the bedcovers over her. He then slipped into the bed beside her and put his arms around her. Alannah mumbled something and then rolled into him, putting her head on his chest.
Akihiko felt delighted as he looked down at the softly snoring Alannah. Of course, he would follow the doctor's advice and let her rest for a few days, but after that, he would make his move. He could afford to wait a few days anyway. He had been prepared to lock his feisty vixen in a cell for a few days. The fact that she was sleeping in his bed was an unexpected and very pleasant surprise.
"I love you, Alannah, and I will never leave you again," Akihiko said as he kissed the top. He fell asleep feeling the happiest he had been in a long time.
It was not until the following morning, when Akihiko stirred, that he realised something was wrong. Alannah was feeling extremely warm and sweaty. Unbeknownst to Akihiko, Alannah's infection had resurfaced due to stress and exhaustion. The antibiotic shot that Grace had given her had worked, but Alannah needed a follow-up shot.
Fear gripped Akihiko's heart when he realised she was not waking up. "Hakaru! Hakaru! Get the doctor now! "
Hakaru burst in and saw Akihiko carrying an unconscious Alannah.
"What is wrong with her?" Hakaru said as Akihiko barged past him whilst getting Alannah to the medical wing.
I don't fucking know! Now get the fucking doctor if you want to keep your life! " Akihiko snapped, and Hakaru ran off. Hakaru knew from experience that when Akihiko used that tone of voice, he was not joking. By the time John arrived, Alannah was on the hospital bed with Akihiko pacing up and down impatiently.
"What seems to be the problem?" John asked, and Akihiko pinned him to the wall by his neck.
"The problem? The issue is that my Empress is unconscious less than 24 hours after being placed in your care! Now if you want to see another dawn, I suggest you fucking treat her! " Akihiko shouted.
"Yes," exclaimed John. "Empress? Fucking hell! Akihiko never referred to one of his women as the Empress." he thought privately.
"Yes, what?" Akihiko snapped
"Yes, my Emperor," John said, and Akihiko released him. The doctor hurried to the bedside to examine Alannah.
"She is burning up from an infection of some kind," John said.
"Where from?" Akihiko demanded, and John spotted the top of the dressing that peeked through Alannah's top. John quickly discovered the wound dressing and peeled it back, revealing the infected wound. John sighed in sympathy. This poor woman must have been suffering from the start.
"What is it?" Akihiko demanded
It seems to be a wound or skin burn that has been infected. "As two nurses rushed in," the doctor said.
"Akihiko! Akihiko!" Alannah mumbled. In her dreams, she was fighting with Akihiko, but Akihiko thought she was calling out for him.
"Shh, Alannah, I hear you. Don't worry, we will get you better soon. I am so sorry. If I had known how you felt about me, I would never have branded you, "Akihiko said as he grabbed her hand. He realised it was the brand he had done that had gotten infected. How could he have judged the situation so badly? Akihiko thought angrily. He watched as one nurse put in the drip and the doctor injected some medication into the drip.
The other nurse came with a tray full of different instruments and a syringe. John took the syringe and injected the site of the wound. The nurse disinfected the area with an iodine solution.
"I am sorry, Alannah, this is going to hurt like hell," John said sadly as he started to cut into her flesh. Alannah started to scream.
"Hold her down!" John snapped at the nurses, and they nodded.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Akihiko shouted.
"I am trying to save my patience's life! The infection is dangerously close to her heart. The infected flesh needs to be cut out. Normally she would be under general anaesthetic, but we don't have any. Now with all due respect, please leave as I really, really need to concentrate, " John said. He thought Akihiko was going to explode, but he didn't. Instead, he nodded and removed himself from the room. John got back to work.
Akihiko was in the waiting room pacing. He heard a knock at the door, and he knew it was far too soon.
"Go away!" Akihiko shouted. The door opened and Hakaru popped his head round.
"I am sorry for the interruption, but you have guests." Hakaru expressed embarrassment.
"Tell them to come back! I am busy! " Akihiko snapped.
Hakaru said, "It is a guest from Russia and she is very insistent on seeing you now."
"Fine, take me to them. But it had better be bloody important! " Akihiko snapped. There was no way he was not going to be there when she woke up. He walked to the entrance hall and saw an old woman with a middle-aged man and 10 guards.
"You honour us with your presence, Founding Mother, even if I am confused about the reason of your visit," Akihiko said, bowing.
"Ah, greetings, Akihiko. The simple reason I have come is to claim my grandchild, as is my legal right to! " Anastasia said
"Your granddaughter is here? Of course, I will help in any way that I can, " Akihiko said, confused.
"Very good Akihiko. Now take me to Alannah right now. " Anastasia ordered
"Alannah? Alannah can not be your granddaughter. That is impossible. " Akihiko said. Anastasia smiled and gestured for the man next to her to come forward.
"Oh, this is my part. My name is Harold Silverside, and I am the official records keeper for the Syndicate Council. Here is a copy of the DNA test that proves Alannah is related to Anastasia. In fact, the only heiress to the leadership of the Medvedya gang and the Russian Syndicated Harold said, "Alannah has just become one of the most powerful women in the world."
"So if you don't mind?" Anastasia spoke sweetly to a stunned Akihiko.
While Anastasia was keeping Akihiko and Hakaru busy, Theo was guiding the Mad Dogs to Alannah. They burst into the room to find a man operating on an unconscious Alannah.
"What the fuck have you done to her?" Theo said through gritted teeth.
"Who are you?" John demanded. This was the last thing he needed!
"Daddy!" Alannah said, recognising Theo's voice in her delirium.
"I am Theo Evans and I am here to rescue my daughter!" As he motioned to his men to block all exits, Theo said.
Is she your daughter? Oh, thank God! " John said
"What?" Frank was surprised.
Alannah is nice and I didn't want her to be at the mercy of that arsehole, "John said honestly."
"You are not here by choice?" Theo asked, and John shook his head. "What about the nurses?"
"Yes, and they can't speak English," John said.
"Dad, John John, nice! Take him! " Alannah said this happily before going unconscious again.
"What is wrong with her?" Theo asked.
"A bad infection. "I just finished removing the infected flesh, but she will need constant medical care and a wideband antibiotic," John said, patching Alannah up. "I will write it down before you go."
"Not necessarily. You are coming with us." Get her ready to be moved quickly! " Theo commanded. There was no way he was leaving "John-John" to the mercy of Akihiko. Not when he had put his own life at risk by helping Alannah.
"She is ready!" John said, and Theo lifted her.
"Follow us!" Frank said after locking the nurses in the cupboard. They all rushed out and made their escape.
Back in the entrance hall, Anastasia was still keeping Akihiko busy.
"Alannah comes from a long line of bears and lions. You did not think she was normal, did you? " Anastasia asked.
"With all due respect, Alannah is here by her own free choice. You have no right to take her away, "Akihiko said.
She does. As mentioned before, Alannah is the sole heiress to not only the Medvedya gang but also the Russian Syndicate. That means Anastasia's authority over Alannah surpasses even Theo and Chris Evans, " Harold said.
I don't care! She is not going! " Akihiko said.
"Don't be irrational, Akihiko. Would you really let your people starve over a woman you kidnapped? " Anastasia said.
"I did it to protect her! Kurt is never going to be good enough for Alannah, you know that! " Akihiko snapped
"She does not need any of your so-called protection; she is a Medvedya! So where is she? In your dungeon or bedroom? I know of your sick tastes, Akihiko. If you lay one finger on her, I swear I will end your bloodline! " Anastasia snapped
"How ironic. You are threatening to end my bloodline whilst it is in fact I who can end yours. very easily, "Akihiko said dangerously."
"Did you just threaten our Founding Mother? I assure you, you will be dead before you can ever lay a filthy hand on her! " The guard closest to Anastasia said whilst aiming his gun.
Unlike your men, who prance around with sharp sticks and fans, my men are trained to kill as quickly and effectively as possible. I would love you to try them out; they do love a good fight! " Anastasia said. The man behind her smiled.
"She is mine and I am not letting her go!" Akihiko shouted
She is not a sack of potatoes, Akihiko! Give her to me now and I won't take any further action. Don't and your people will starve! " Anastasia said
"There are other trade partners out there, Anastasia!" Akihiko said
Seriously? China, North America, and Europe are currently off the table! " Anastasia said
"There is Australia," Akihiko said.
Oh, you mean the one Bruce Sanderson is heir to? You know, Bruce of the Nine-Tails! " Anastasia said
"What? Akihiko said, shocked.
"All of the major territories have signed this letter declaring that if Alannah is not returned to her family, all ties will be cut," Harold said, handing Hakaru the official letter.
Akihiko looked at the letter and said nothing. One of Anastasia's guards scratched his head, a signal that the Mad Dogs were clear.
I am not unreasonable. I will give you 12 hours to think about it. I think we are done here, "Anastasia said.
"Going so soon?" Akihiko said bitterly.
"I would quit while you are ahead. I have personally castrated men for less than what you did, "Anastasia said as she walked out with her men."
Once in the car, Anastasia ordered her driver to drive as fast as he could to the airport.