Reborn as a Surgeon: The Mafia Queen's Second Life

Since the moment Lana lay unconscious in the ICU, Alina had barely left her side. Back and forth she paced that narrow room, her eyes never straying from her best friend's fragile figure. The wounds were too deep. Too severe. And with each passing second, the fear inside her only grew heavier, suffocating her chest.

On the other side of the room, Leo was still busy treating another patient. His face was pale from exhaustion, but his hands remained steady and precise. For days, they had been holding on here, saving whoever they could. But today… today, the air felt different. Heavier. Like a storm was coming.

And that storm arrived the moment the door burst open.

A soldier barged in, breathless, face tight with tension.

"Doctor! Marco's forces are moving in! Commander's orders are clear. Evacuate now. Critical patients first!"

Leo immediately stood. "How long do we have?"

"Fifteen minutes, max! Our men will hold them at the south gate. You need to get out through the west exit!"

Alina froze, her gaze falling on Lana's weak, unmoving body. Her heart sank.

"If we move her now… she might not make it," she whispered, barely audible.

Leo stepped closer, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.

"We don't have a choice. I'll help you. We'll keep her alive."

The soldier tried to reassure them, though his eyes showed the same fear they all felt.

"Don't worry. Focus on your patients. We'll protect you until you're safe."

Alina swallowed hard, nodding faintly. This wasn't just about survival anymore. This was about saving everyone they could… before it was too late.

"Where are we going?" Alina asked as they rushed through preparations, her voice shaking but steady.

Leo hesitated. His mind calculated risks, outcomes. But in the next breath, he gave a firm nod.

"There's a safe place. Trust me."

Without wasting another second, Alina moved.

Her only thought now was to get out before Marco's men closed off every escape.

I know he's coming for revenge… because I killed Vasko, she thought grimly, clutching Lana's cold hand tighter.

Once everyone was ready, they moved fast. Critical patients were loaded into military trucks, while Leo, Alina, and Lana were secured inside the ambulance.

Before they left, Leo turned to the convoy leader.

"Stay close. Don't lose formation."

Under the cover of night, the convoy slipped away, engines growling softly in the silence.

Alina checked Lana repeatedly during the ride. Her best friend's face was ghostly pale, her body unmoving, her pulse barely hanging on. The surgery had drained what little strength she had left. And now… now they were forcing her through this nightmare of an escape.

Leo kept glancing back. He saw the anxiety all over Alina's face. But she stayed strong, guarding Lana like her own life depended on it.

Dim streetlights flickered over the road, as if joining the night in its suffocating tension.

"Where exactly are we headed?" Alina finally asked, her voice low, barely masking her worry.

Leo sighed.

"Damien's underground hospital. He owes me a life. If anyone can protect Lana right now… it's him."

Damien.

Alina remembered him well.

The legendary mercenary Leo once saved. She had been recovering in that same hospital back then, her own body torn apart by mafia wars. Damien never spoke to her, but the way he looked at people… Alina knew he wasn't someone to take lightly.

Hearing his name now brought a sliver of relief.

If Damien was waiting for them, maybe—just maybe—they had a chance.

"Is it far?" she asked quietly.

Leo clenched his jaw.

"Four hours if we're lucky. But if Marco's dogs catch up… we'll have a fight on our hands."

Alina met his gaze, her own eyes sharp as steel.

"If anything happens, don't expect me to leave Lana behind."

Leo gave a faint, tired smile.

"No one's leaving anyone behind, Aileen. We're getting out together."

But before the tension could settle, the radio crackled.

"Doctor Leo! Enemy drones spotted. They're tailing us!"

Leo straightened instantly.

"Copy. Divert north. Stay off the main road. Damien should have a path ready."

Alina's grip on Lana's hand tightened.

"Just a little longer, Lan. Please, hold on," she whispered.

Leo switched channels, his voice dropping low.

"Damien. It's Leo. We've got incoming. You ready?"

The answer came fast, cool as ever.

"For you? Always. North steel gate. Defense systems are up."

They'd only been on the road for half an hour, but the tension was suffocating.

The narrow, rocky path jolted the ambulance as moonlight filtered faintly through the window.

Leo kept checking the mirror.

"Damn. Three vehicles on our tail. Definitely Marco's men."

Radio chatter returned, panic rising.

"They're armed heavy. Distance closing fast!"

Alina took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Lana.

"No matter what happens… we're leaving here together."

A blast echoed behind them. The ambulance lurched as an explosion hit the road.

Alina nearly lost her balance, scrambling to steady Lana's IV.

"Focus on her. I've got this," Leo said, dimming the dashboard lights to hide from the drones.

The military truck ahead picked up speed. Soldiers jumped down to guard the flank.

"Hold the line! Don't let them through!" the officer barked.

Gunfire erupted. Bullets slammed into the trees and vehicles.

Alina ducked, shielding Lana with her body.

"Leo!" Alina shouted. "We won't last long like this!"

Leo typed fast into the comm.

"Damien. Distraction. Now."

Seconds later, a massive explosion rocked the road ahead.

Flames soared high, cutting off their pursuers.

"Hold on!" Leo veered sharply, the ambulance tearing through a hidden path into an old tunnel.

Gunfire faded behind them, blocked by rubble.

Inside the tunnel, Leo slowed down.

"Take a breath. We've got a moment."

Alina checked Lana—and her heart nearly stopped.

"Leo… her pulse… it's dropping…" she whispered, shaking.

The air in the ambulance grew unbearably heavy.

Alina clutched Lana's arm like she could physically hold her soul in place.

Leo kept his eyes forward, voice low and firm.

"Don't let her go, Alina. We're almost there."

Alina swallowed her panic, leaning close.

"Please, Lana… stay with me. Don't give up now… please…"

Time slowed inside the ambulance.

The engine's hum mixed with the weak beeping of Lana's heart monitor.

Every second dragged on like forever.

Then, just as they exited the tunnel, Leo cursed under his breath.

"They found the tunnel. Shit!"

Headlights glowed in the distance, getting closer fast.

"Brace yourselves. This isn't over."

Alina held Lana tighter.

"If this ambulance gets hit, we're done!"

The radio buzzed again.

"Doctor Leo! Enemy's closing in. We'll set a final barricade at the tunnel exit!"

"Good. Don't let them through!"

Soldiers jumped out, setting emergency mines and flame traps at the tunnel mouth.

A deafening explosion followed. Flames lit up the night, taking out two enemy vehicles.

But more were coming. This time with heavier guns.

Bullets tore through the air. One window shattered, glass spraying everywhere.

Alina ducked, covering Lana again.

"I don't know how much longer we can hold on!" Alina shouted.

Leo grabbed the radio.

"Damien! We're out of time! Open the gate now!"