Chapter 33 #3
The team handed over their credentials at the guard station. “It’s a bit late for you to work, don’t ya think?” the guard asked while another shone a light inside the truck and in the back.
“One of my men went missing today. We’re going back out to find him,” Saint replied.
“Good luck, I hope you find him.”
Saint nodded and sped off. “We need to get Ice. Cole, where do I go?”
“Same way we came. When the road ends, turn left. It’s dangerous. Keep your eyes peeled,” Cole said. “When we get close, I’ll have you pull over. It’s guarded, and we don’t need the dogs alerting to our presence. I’ll take care of it.”
“Patch will go with you. How badly did you get hit?” Saint asked.
“Bad enough to feel it,” he muttered. “Did Apollo pick up Leo’s scent?”
“Nothing,” Saint said. “Whatever Ford put on the ground confused him. He didn’t pick him up even after smelling the pack.”
Cole lay back, thinking about what disoriented the dogs.
When they got closer, he said, “Stop.” Leaning forward, he opened the door. “Stay here. It’ll take us fifteen minutes to get there and about an hour to get Ice. If we’re not back in two hours, we’re not coming back. Get them out of here.”
Patch jumped from the side of the truck. “You’re in no condition to do this.”
“I’m the only one who can do it,” Cole said, wincing. “I’m not a vet, but I’ve seen them care for the dogs after they’re injured. You’ll have to carry him.”
Saint watched as the two men disappeared into the night. They kept watch after a harrowing day. Shadow turned to Saint as they scanned the darkness.
“They need to return to Serenity. We don’t have enough weapons or manpower. With Knight and Cole down, we’re limited. We can’t keep Sparky without Ice,” he said, thinking out loud. “Someone needs to tell Catherine. She’s texted Leo’s phone three times since we found it.”
Frowning, Saint agreed. “She’s pregnant.
We can’t tell her over the phone. Rebecca’s bringing the Texas team.
They’ll help. Hollywood has held his ear since we returned.
Leo got him from harm’s way, but the blast might’ve hurt his cochlear implant.
We need him to go. You, Taco, and I can search for Leo.
Once Rebecca arrives with Julio, Matthew, Jameson, and Garrett, we can cover more area. ”
“Where do we go tonight?” Shadow asked.
“I say, we get them on the plane. We’ll sleep for a couple of hours and leave at daylight. We’ll start over where we found his pack,” Saint said.
An hour and a half went by with no sign of their teammates. Taco paced, peering in the direction where they last saw them.
“I’m going in. They’re either in trouble or need help. I’m not losing two more of our brothers,” Taco said.
Shadow put a hand on his chest. “We feel the same way, but we have to think smart.”
As they started to leave, they heard Patch.
“I’m kicking your fucking ass,” he growled at Cole.
“He had it coming,” Cole hissed.
Taco and Shadow ran toward them, ready to aid them. Taco gently picked up Ice and laid him at Sparky’s feet, and Shadow helped Cole inside while Patch threw a bag inside the back of the truck, and they took off down the dirt road.
Saint drove where they left the plane. After loading the injured, Patch examined each of them. Then he called for Hollywood.
“I’m fine,” he gritted out.
“You’re holding your damn ear. Shut up and get over here,” Patch ordered.
Hollywood sat down as Patch checked out his implant.
“You have minimal bleeding. You’ll need to go back with them,” he said softly.
“Before you argue, listen to me. You have first aid training. Sparky can’t see to tend to Cole, Knight, or Sergeant Taylor.
Cole can tell you what to do for Ice. He stole a bunch of supplies from the vet room. ”
“Leo saved me. I’m not leaving him out there,” Hollywood refused.
Patch grabbed his arm. “I need you to reach Kassie and Chase as soon as the plane lands. You’ll need to tell them and let them inform Catherine. Then, we need you to bring back supplies. We lost a bunch when they searched the barracks. Saint’s making a list right now.”
“Why can’t Sparky tell them?” he asked.
Patch pinched his nose. “Do you see Shadow, Taco, and Saint? They’re the original brothers who built this team.
They won’t leave Leo behind. I don’t want Catherine to see Knight and Cole.
Since I got hired first, I’m pulling rank.
Someone has to stay here with these assholes and patch them up when they get their asses shot. ”
“I’m putting some numbing drops in your ear and some cotton. Reapply it when you’re in the air. Take care of our team,” Patch said, punching him in the shoulder.
“I’m coming back with Apollo,” Liam vowed.
“I didn’t expect any less,” Patch said as he stuffed the cotton in his ear and patted his shoulder.
Saint stood. “Listen up. We didn’t fail. Today might’ve turned out worse if Sparky hadn’t alerted Leo when she did. Our brother did what he has trained all of us to do. We won’t leave our man behind. One way or another,” Saint paused as his voice cracked. “We’ll bring our brother home.”