Chapter 22
Pain.
Clear. Sharp.
Cracking through his ribs and into his chest. Kicking him back down whenever he tried to surface. Open his eyes. Instead, he floated, noise teasing his senses, a comforting warmth holding his hand.
Time faded, everything washing into a numbing gray until he blinked, caught a flash of light.
Pieces of the room slowly materialized. What looked like an explosion of beige with the odd slash of stainless steel. A monitor beeped out a steady rhythm behind him, a scratchy voice calling a code over a crappy speaker.
Bodie shifted his head to the right and froze.
Feet tucked beneath her, her hair spilling down over her shoulders, Rowan looked like the perfect vision of his next sixty years curled up on a chair, her left hand cupped over his.
Long lashes rested against porcelain skin, as she breathed evenly, the odd soft hum just reaching him.
He must have squeezed her fingers because she suddenly inhaled, bolted up. Her gaze met his, stayed as a genuine smile shaped her lips.
He smiled back, aware he could stare at her forever and never get tired. “Hey…”
Saying one word shouldn’t hurt that much. Like he’d swallowed glass.
Rowan tsked, grabbed some water and helped him take a sip. “Your throat’s probably sore from being intubated during surgery. It should clear up quickly. The incision, however…” She shuffled closer, brought his hand up to her mouth. “Don’t ever scare me like that, again.”
He drank more water, never taking his eyes off her. “Your dad?”
She brushed her thumb across the back of his hand. “Better. Still not talking, but he seems to understand more. Not sure how much he’ll regain, if he knows who I am, where he is, but he’s alive, thanks to you.”
He nodded, faded, blinking back a few minutes later.
Rowan sighed, got lover close. “You need to rest. I promise I’ll still be here when you wake up.”
Bodie smiled, closed his eyes, rousing a few more times before finally coming out of it a day later. The room looked sharper, every noise determined to grate on his nerves as he relaxed against the pillows Rowan had stacked behind him.
She still held his hand, the other gripping her cell as she talked quietly to her boss. She nodded, looked over and winked at him, then ended the call. “Man, that guy can talk.”
Bodie squeezed her hand. “Everything okay? It sounded serious.”
She snorted. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“That’s not an answer.”
She sighed, and he knew she’d been holding something back. “With how this last case turned out, he thinks I should transfer to one of the busier divisions. That I’m wasting my time working low-rate cases in the more remote parks. Seems to enjoy reminding me I can move if I’d like.”
He stilled, his stomach dropping down to his knees before he faked a smile. “I can understand why he’d want you to work more high-profile investigations. Is that something you’re interested in?”
She scrunched up her face, looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “I’m exactly where I want to be, and my boss knows it. Which is why we have words every time he calls.” The corner of her mouth twitched. “Is that your subtle way of saying you want me to move?”
He grinned. Damn, he loved her. “Honestly? I do you want you to move.” He held on when she tried to yank her hand away. “But not farther away. In fact, I doubt you’re ready to hear exactly where I’d like you to stay.”
Rowan stilled, then shifted over, braced her hip against the bed as she leaned in close. “I don’t know, tiger. I might surprise you.”
He reached up, palmed her cheek. “You really are beautiful.”
He drew her in, slanted his mouth over hers. Savored the way she hummed as her hand landed on his chest. Right over where his heart thrashed beneath his skin. She did that to him. Broke through his defenses. Had him thinking about the future — how he wanted her in it. Permanently.
He rested her forehead against hers. “There is one problem, though. Seems you lied to me.”
Rowan frowned. “About what?”
“About me not remembering. Not even a second, I believe you said.”
Her eyes widened before she beamed at him. “I see. And do you? Remember?”
“Every second. Every word.”
“So, what’s the problem? That you remember? Or what I said?”
“The problem is that you promised to say it again, once I was fully coherent.” He tugged her down to him. “Not sure my mind’ll ever be clearer than it is, right now. You, here with me.”
“Not being hooked up to IVs might help…” She faded into laughter when he rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’m crazy about you.”
He tsked. “I recall you used different words.”
“And I believe you have yet to say it back.” She huffed out a breath when he sat there, staring at her, his damn heart bleeding out on his sleeve. “I’m crazy in love with you.”
He coaxed her forward, pressed his lips softly to hers. “Pretty sure I fell in love with you the moment I saw you behind that waterfall. You took my breath away. Haven’t been the same, since.”
“Which would explain why you’re both nuts.”
Bodie choked back a laugh, focusing over Rowan’s shoulder at Nick, leaning against the door frame. Dalton and the rest of the crew stood behind him, all looking more than amused.
Bodie arched a brow. “Shouldn’t you be visiting Wade? So I can take advantage of Rowan?”
Dalton laughed as they shuffled into the room, fanned out on either side.
“Wade kicked us out. Said he needed to rest, that we were too annoying, whatever that means. And between the stitches and your jacked-up leg, you won’t be taking advantage of anything other than a couch for at least another week. ”
Bodie sighed as a telling silence settled over the room. “Judging by how uncomfortable you all look, this is about Walsh.” He took a deep breath, prepared for the worst. “I’m assuming the CIA decided he wasn’t quite the liability we hoped he’d be.”
Nick scrubbed a hand down his face. “It’s complicated. He didn’t get a pass.”
Rowan stiffened. “But?”
Nick glanced at Avery, then back to Rowan. “He’s gone. Spirited away to an overseas black site. Holt with him.”
Rowan cursed. “And how’s that not him getting a pass?”
“Because he’s not exactly free. Sloane went rogue when she heard the news, tracked down his convoy. He’s being held in a high security facility under orders to replicate your dad’s work. Rumor has it, he won’t be seeing the outside of that place until he does.”
“What do you mean, replicate? He had all my dad’s research.”
“About that…” A hint of a smile teased Nick’s mouth. “Seems someone got past his firewalls, destroyed all his data. Walsh has no idea how it happened. Went ballistic. Said he couldn’t isolate the toxin without your dad’s detailed notes. And since that’s not an option, right now…”
“Can’t he just use his remaining supply to reverse engineer it?”
“He could… If there was any.” Nick chuckled. “Seems there was an error in the transfer codes sent to the CIA recovery team. The entire supply of Lethe toxin accidentally got earmarked as biohazardous medical waste — was destroyed.”
Rowan looked at Avery.
Avery held up her hand. “Don’t look at me. I don’t have that kind of sway with the Bureau, let alone the Agency. And computers aren’t my forte. But I know someone who can hack her way into damn near anything. Had a vested interest in the outcome of our case.”
Bodie groaned. “Sloane.”
Nick grunted. “I told her not to do anything that could get her carted away along with Walsh, but she’s incredibly stubborn. Of course, she’s denying everything.”
Rowan sighed. “So, that’s it? They fund him so he can do this all over again?”
Nick chuckled. “The thing about the Agency, patience isn’t really their strong suit.
I give it a year, tops, before he suffers a tragic accident.
Either way, I’ve got enough connections in place, I’ll know if he ever walks free, and I’ll deal with him, personally, if that happens.
I’m willing to give justice a chance, but if it fails… ”
Bodie shifted on the bed. “Is that your way of saying you’re turning me down, again? Because you said it yourself. You’re already six months past when you should have called it quits.”
Nick snorted. “You sound like Sloane. She keeps telling me I need to bow out before I get myself killed. Though, that’s probably because she wants to have the chance to kill me, herself.”
“Or maybe, she wants something else.” Bodie looked at Rowan. “Something more.”
Rowan grinned. “Definitely more. Though, I’m not discounting she also wants to put a round in his ass, likely because he deserves it.”
Nick sighed. “Guess we’ll find out.”
Bodie perked up. “Wait. That sounds more like you’re finally saying yes?”
Nick glanced at the rest of Bodie’s crew. “Gave notice this morning. I have a couple cases I need to clear off my desk, but this time next month, I’ll be calling this dreary, rain-cloaked, blip-of-a-town home.”
“Hell yeah. Welcome to Raven’s Security, brother. And you can stay in that suite as long as you need.”
Nick glanced at Rowan. “Shouldn’t you discuss that with your other roommate?”
Rowan laughed. “Haven’t moved in, yet, jackass. And I’ll never be his roommate.”
Bodie squeezed her hand. “Amen to that.”
“Sounds like we missed all the fun.”
Nick turned as Greer and Chase ambled in. “It’s just like you to show up late.”
Greer swatted him across the chest. “Some of us had to work. So, what did we miss?”
Bodie motioned toward Nick. “Colter’s leaving the Agency. Finally moving west.”
“About damn time.” Greer swept her gaze around the room. “Though, with how trouble seems to roll through this town, I’m not sure it’s any safer.”
“Who said Nick was looking for safe?”
“Noted.” Greer focused on Rowan. “While we’re talking about jobs, Chase has something he wants to run past you, Rowan.”
Rowan furrowed her brow. “That sounds ominous.”
Chase grinned. “Nothing nefarious. Just me trying to steal you away from NPS.”
“To do what?”
“Work at Raven’s Watch.” Chase pointed at Bodie. “After watching you treat Nick and Bodie, there’s no question you’ve got crazy good medic skills. And you’ve probably got as many rescue hours as we do. Add in you know the parks around here better than anyone, and you’re a perfect fit.”
Rowan’s jaw hinged open. “You want me to be full-time search and rescue? Where everyone else is former military? Mostly spec-op?”
“You’re right. It’s a big ask, but I think most of the crew can rise to your standards.” He winked. “Besides, I’m gonna need some time off in a few months, and there’s no one else I’d trust to have my brothers’ backs than you.”
Chase wrapped one hand around Greer’s waist. “Just, give it some thought. We’d love to have you join us for a few ride-alongs. See what you think.”
Rowan glanced at Bodie and smiled. “I’d be open to seeing how you guys operate. As long as you don’t make me hang from the chopper in the middle of a storm while Foster skims the ocean at Mach five.”
Chase laughed. “Deal. Now, are we busting you out of here or what? Because the guys are grabbing food as we speak, and god knows you’ll never get any rest if you stay here.”
Bodie gawked at Chase. “Since when do you condone breaking ranks?”
“Since Rowan’s willing to keep an eye on you. I’ve read your chart. It’s nothing she can’t handle, assuming that works for you?”
Bodie looked at Rowan, caught a glimpse of how his future would play out. How damn lucky he was. “What’s the holdup? It’s time we went home.”