Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Where would it be? There has to be a first aid kit in here…
Operators don’t go around without substantial medical supplies.
I scoot deeper into the rear cargo area of the truck, lifting aside a heavy box.
“What are you doing?”
Holy dammit! Waving my hand in front of my face, I wheeze, “How about a little warning. You gave me a heart attack. I can’t take any more adrenaline dumps tonight.”
The man’s pale eyes glance around at the gear surrounding me. The ticking in his jaw matches the flicker of tendons in his clenched hands. “What are you doing?”
Heart pumping like mad, I lick my lips. I’m so on edge it feels like I’m going to crack open.
“I’m looking for your first aid kit.”
His head tilts and he studies me with eyes that are so pure and clear that diamonds would be jealous.
“Did you reorganize all of this?”
Oh. Oops. I didn’t think about him being upset.
My cheeks begin to heat. “Yeah, I… I’m so sorry. I know some people are funny about their stuff. I was just looking for some pain relievers for Griff.”
His expression is unreadable.
What is it with this guy? He gives poker face a whole new level of meaning.
My pulse speeds even more. His gaze is palpable on my skin.
The skin that’s now under a jacket that belongs to him . One I found in his gear.
Awkward.
I shift and put a box down that was open on my lap. His box.
“I borrowed your coat.”
No answer.
Yikes.
“Are you upset?”
His mouth compresses, the icy blue of his eyes punches through the dim light like knives. “I’m too fucking tired to care.”
I can relate. But the true extent of his fatigue hits me. He’s a walking zombie. “Scout, you should lie down.”
He looks around the truck, even considers the ground as if he might obey my command. I swear I see him swaying on his feet.
“It’s tempting. Come on. Get out of there. The ambulance is taking you and Griff.”
I scoot toward him, sliding a few things aside to make a path. “Really?”
“I’m not one to joke around. Would have thought you figured that out by now.”
I keep my mouth shut this time. Scout is angry, and rightly so. He’s had a terrible night. I mean he had to…
Gulp. A shiver races down my arms.
I can’t even think about what he did to protect me.
When I scoot forward enough to reach the edge of the tailgate he grabs me and lifts me down.
G-good lord .
He’s really strong. He didn’t even blow out a breath.
“Thank you.”
Standing close enough for our breath to mingle in the rain-soaked air, he pierces me with a stare so hard it feels like he’s slapped me.
As if a magnet has snared me, I can’t move. Brows notch, his silvery gaze slips back and forth between my eyes. Searching?
No. Something harder than that. Accusing.
A hole in the ground would be welcome right now. Yep, just disappearing sounds like a great idea.
“I’ll get Griff and head to the ambulance.”
He silently watches me go as I slip by him, but his eyes are like battering rams on my back.
Skin tingling from my waist to the nape of my neck, I hurry to the driver’s side passenger door. As I tug it open against a gust of wind that makes rain swirl around me. “Come on, G, let’s get you to the ambulance.”
Griff mutters and with great effort he climbs from the truck.
“Are you dizzy?”
“Yeah, I’m a shit show. Feels like my guts are going to come out through my mouth. ”
“Oh my god. Okay, let’s get you to the ambulance as fast as we can.”
I take his arm and we hurry as fast as a turtle toward the back door of the big vehicle. Inside, through the glass, the pilot is visible. His arms are waving around, a look of horror on his face.
I give Griff’s arm a squeeze. “Looks like we’re going to have company. The pilot is in there.”
“At this point I don’t care if Ozzy Osborne is in there with bat blood on his face.”
“Ick.”
He stops and curses. “Fuck, this hurts like a motherfucker. Have I told you this feels like a goddamned icepick hooked to a battery is stuck in the side of my head?”
“No. And that visual is just gross. I’m sorry you’re hurting so badly.” I refrain from giving him a hard time about his foul mouth.
Not that it’s ever worked before. Griff is Griff.
“Hang on. Let me get the door open.”
He stands silently beside me as I fight with the handle on the Ambulance door. After a few seconds of tugging, it pops open and a rush of warm, welcoming air rushes over my face.
“In you go.”
I start to climb in behind Griff and the paramedic stops me. “No room.”
It is tight with the pilot and two paramedic-people.
“Oh. I can’t go?”
“No, we are at capacity.”
Griff crawls onto the bench, flops over and curls up. I almost faint from the sight of my big, strong, brother lying in the fetal position with his hand over his eyes .
I drop my voice to a whisper as I take a hesitant step back. “Will you please take care of him?”
“Yes, yes. Now close the door.”
I’ve barely had time to step off the back bumper when the vehicle lurches forward, makes a turn and speeds off toward the airport exit.
I stare as the taillights disappear into the rain.
Well…
I guess I’m staying here.
Feeling off-kilter and still buzzed from adrenaline, I spin around and scan the scene of carnage.
Turns out the ambulance crew isn’t the only ones that have left.