Chapter 4 #2
Rowan studied Greer, her gaze occasionally drifting toward Chase. “After the way you handled that serial murder case last year, I’d wager money on your ability to see the gray areas.”
“I knew I liked you as soon as you transferred to the coast.” Greer held up the bag. “I’ll get these processed and photographed by our crime techs, then have them sent off to ATF in Portland in the morning. I assume they’ll be working remotely unless the situation warrants a personal visit?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they request scene access one more time before I clear it, but that’s my understanding.
” Rowan bit at her bottom lip for a moment before pushing out a rough breath.
“How do you feel about letting Buck have a look at the shrapnel before we hand it over? I know he’s not a deputy, but the man knows explosives better than anyone I’ve ever met.
I’d really like his perspective on this. ”
“You’re the lead agent.”
“I prefer to look at this as more of a partnership.” She snorted. “Not sure SA Kaine will see it that way, but I’ll deal with that if it arises.”
“I worked with Avery on some fugitive cases before I moved over to counterterrorism. She’s hardcore, isn’t afraid to tackle guys twice her size, but rules aren’t her top priority if it’s the difference between success and failure.
Besides, Raven’s Security has been properly vetted by not just my department but also the U.S.
Marshal Service for contract security work. Buck’s good.”
“Looks like I chose the right partners.” Rowan looked out the window. “It’s late, and we’ve all be running on empty for a while. Let’s call it a night, and we’ll pick everything up first thing.”
Chase stepped forward. “I realize Sunset Beach isn’t that far away, but there’s plenty of room at Foster’s place if you’d like to stay local. He’s got an entire wing dedicated for visitors.”
Rowan nodded. “Thanks. I might take you up on that.”
“Just let me know.” Chase palmed Greer’s back. “Greer’ll text you our address, just in case. There’s usually at least one of us up, if you need to crash later tonight. Otherwise, we’ll see you at the station in the morning.”
Rowan watched them leave, looking as if she’d cataloged every moment of the interaction — could spew it all back verbatim if needed.
Bodie cleared his throat. “Or, you can stay with me. My office is, hands down, the safest place in town.”
Rowan arched a brow. “You live at your office?”
“In a loft above. There’s a guest suite in the lower section that’ll give you some privacy.
Or you can have one of the spare rooms upstairs if you’d feel better not being isolated.
” He pursed his lips when she simply stared at him, looking as if she wasn’t sure if he was crazy or dedicated. “Just a thought.”
“Not commuting would be nice. Let’s wait until you’re good to go—”
“Already good.” He pinched off the IV and removed the needle, then tossed back the covers as he swung his legs over the edge, ignoring the burn through his right thigh. “All I need are some clothes.”
“Whoa, I don’t think the doctors have cleared you, yet.”
Bodie thumbed at the door. “One of my best friends is a medic. I’ll be fine.”
Rowan hitched out a hip. “Bodie…”
“Already signed the discharge papers.”
“The ones that state you’re leaving against medical advice?”
He shrugged. “Something like that.”
“Are you always this stubborn?”
“Occupational hazard.”
She rolled her eyes. “Right.”
“I wasn’t the one who went back into the hot zone a few hours after barely escaping alive.”
She stared at him, laughed. “And I know a losing battle when I’m faced with it. Just don’t make me break out any medic moves. I swear, shoving that needle into Wade’s chest scared me more than getting shot at.”
“Amen to that.” He stared at the floor, judging if his legs would hold or if he’d fall face-first the moment he put weight on them.
Rowan sighed. “Admitting you need another day or two isn’t a crime, Page.”
Bodie flicked his gaze up. The way she said his last name, almost as if it had more syllables or held more weight, caught him by surprise. Just like during the escape when he’d finally noticed how bright her eyes were. Neon, just like they were now.
He shrugged. “Just trying not to flash everyone my ass.”
Rowan snagged her bottom lip, again, then grinned. “If it looks half as good bare as it did in those pants, no one’s gonna mind.”
He coughed. “And when, exactly, did you have time to check out my ass while we were running from mercenaries?”
“I excel at multitasking.” She ambled closer, swept her gaze the length of him. “And there’s the part where you were ahead of me for that entire climb.”
She moved over to a chair pushed up against one wall and grabbed the plastic bag off the top. “This is all your clothing from when you arrived, which is great for evidence. Totally unwearable, though.”
She looked around. “Wait. There’s a gym bag underneath.
” She yanked it out and rummaged through it, stuffing the bag of soiled clothes inside after placing some items on the bed next to him.
“Looks like one of your buddies brought you some sweats. Which is smart because you don’t want anything snug on that leg for a few days. ”
“My pants were snug?”
“Your pants were perfect. Just not what your leg’s gonna like.” She gestured loosely toward him. “So, do you need a hand or…”
“Been dressing myself since I was three.”
“Remember that when you have to bend that leg.” She turned and headed for the door. “You got a lift home?”
Bodie sighed. “I might be able to catch Greer and Chase before they leave. Dalton’s probably hanging around…”
“My Tahoe’s parked outside. I’ll drive you home.”
“Isn’t it the opposite direction of where you live?”
“It’s okay. Driving helps clear my mind.”
“Or…” Bodie eased onto the floor and leaned against the bed. “We head to your place, grab enough stuff for a week, and you can stay in Raven’s Cliff. Avoid the drive in the morning.”
“At that fortress you call an office?”
“I didn’t say it was a fortress but yeah. Or you can hit up Foster. Like Chase said, that crew rarely sleeps.”
Rowan looked away for a moment, then nodded. “A fortress sounds kinda nice. All we need is for you to get into those sweats.”
“Working on it.”
She took a few more steps, stopped, then huffed. “This is ridiculous.”
She headed back to the bed, grabbed the pair of boxers, then crouched low. “Lift the bad one, first, then brace most of your weight against the bed.”
He arched a brow but followed along, taking ahold of the waistband once she’d eased them over the bandages on his thigh. Rowan let go, waited until he’d inched them up his hips, then helped him into the track pants.
She twirled her finger after she’d rolled on his socks and laced up his boots. “Spin.”
He frowned but turned until his back faced her.
She tugged at the ties, slipped the hospital gown off his shoulders before handing him a shirt.
Bodie shrugged it on, layering a hoodie overtop. “Thanks.”
She held up two fingers. “That’s two beers you owe me.”
“I’ll make it a six-pack.”
“Need a shoulder?”
“I’m good. Can we—”
“Check up on Wade before we head out? I’ll grab a wheelchair. Make it a bit easier.”
“Rowan…”
She slapped the gym bag against his chest, mumbled, “Don’t lose that,” then darted out, returning a minute later, wheelchair in tow. She didn’t give him a choice, positioning the footrests, then taking him over to the ICU.
Dalton sat on a hard vinyl chair, back to a corner, gaze sweeping the area. He smiled ever so slightly as Rowan wheeled Bodie in, stopping next to him.
Bodie gave Dalton a clap on the back. “You been here the entire time?”
Dalton glanced at Rowan, then back to him. “I know what it’s like to wake up feeling lost. Thought he could use a friendly face. Buck’s gonna spell me off in a bit.”
“I can stay…”
“Unless it’s back in a room with monitors and nurses waking you up every hour, no way.” Dalton shoved the chair a bit. “Go home. Get some rest. We’ll be back once we know Wade’s out of the woods.”
“You mean after you get some rest, too.”
Dalton hesitated, his gaze finding Rowan, again, before he focused on Wade’s room. “I lost five years, brother. I’ve rested enough.”
Bodie clenched his jaw. Dalton didn’t talk about his time in captivity often, but there was no missing the shadows lining his eyes. Or how his mouth tightened at the corners. That despite how far he’d come, a part him remained in that hellhole.
Might never be free.
Bodie nodded. “I’ll have coffee on.”
Rowan looked between them, staying oddly quiet while they made their way to the lobby and out the main doors.
She signaled him to wait until she’d pulled her Tahoe around a minute later, helped him into the passenger seat.
She arched a brow, silently offering him one more chance to change his mind, before jumping in and joining the late-night traffic.
Bodie alternated his gaze between the mirrors and the passing scenery, breathing through the ache in his leg. Not red-hot like when he’d first injured it, but more than he wanted to admit.
Rowan parked in front of an apartment building fifteen minutes later, watching as a silver Bronco slowed, then continued on, turning left at the next set of lights.
He waited until she glanced over at him before nodding toward the street. “You worried about that Bronco? It was with us the whole way. Heavily tinted windows, out-of-state plates.”
A small smile lifted her lips. “I realize we’ve worked in the same circles a bunch of times, but watching you up close…” Her smile flourished. “You’re exactly how I pictured you’d be. Former-Army Ranger, right?”
She’d been imagining what he’d be like?
“Ten years. And you didn’t answer my question. Any of them, actually.”
“Let’s just say I’m naturally suspicious But, it’s gone so…” She opened the door. “I’d invite you up but…”
Bodie eyed the building. It had a coastal beach feel, with a decent-sized balcony for all the units. “Let me guess, upper floor?”
“Best view.” She glanced at the road, again, then leaned back inside. “I won’t be long. I’ll leave the keys in the ignition. Honk if there’s an emergency.”
He snagged her arm before she backed out. “I can climb some stairs if you’re concerned. Have your back.”
Her smile fell, the lines around her eyes crinkling as she pursed her lips. “It’s fine.”
“Ya know, sooner or later, I’m gonna need some straight answers.”
“Not here, and not before I know you won’t look at me as if I’m crazy. But you’re right.” She eased back. “Hang tight.”
She darted out, returning five minutes later with a few bags that shook the vehicle when she tossed them in the back. Her gaze dropped to the cargo area, a bit of color draining from her face before she drew herself up — closed the gate.
Bodie reached over and squeezed her hand once she’d pulled back onto the main thoroughfare. “You okay?”
She clenched her jaw, glanced in the rearview, the back still configured from their race along the old spurs. “Fine. Just tired.”
“Something tells me it wasn’t just the past forty-eight hours that’s kept you up.” He took a chance that she might talk now they were on the move, again. “How long were you in that nest or hide or whatever it was before we stumbled into that ambush?”
She glanced at him. “About thirty-six hours.”
He nodded, studying the mirrors. “Find what you were looking for?”
“Not exactly… Shit.”
“I see it, too. That Bronco’s back.”
“It could be a coincidence.”
“Same plates.”
“Same everything.” She looked at her GPS, scrolled ahead. “How bad’s your leg? Really?”
Bodie met her intense gaze. “Not great, but I could run if I needed to.”
“I’m not going to make you run, but is it good enough to handle some questionable road choices?”
“Definitely.”
She looked in the rearview one more time. “Then, hang on. Let’s see how badly they want to follow us.”