Chapter 7 Adam
Adam
The cable swung hard in the wind, but my arms never loosened around her. Even soaked to the bone, Raine was fire—thrashing, furious, alive. I’d almost lost her again. And it gutted me.
We touched down on the landing pad, rotor wash whipping spray into my eyes. I unclipped her first, lowering her to her feet, then set the old man gently on the stretcher waiting nearby. Medics swarmed, voices sharp and clinical.
But I only saw her.
Raine yanked her harness off like it was strangling her, braid dripping water down her back. She was pale, lips trembling from cold, but her eyes burned when they met mine.
“You don’t get to do that,” she snapped, stepping close enough that I felt her shiver. “You don’t get to play the hero and haul me around like I’m baggage.”
I bit back the dozen things I wanted to say. That she scared the hell out of me. That I’d rather break every bone in my body than watch her go under that water. That the thought of losing her again made me sick.
Instead, I said the one thing guaranteed to set her off.
“You’re welcome.”
Her mouth fell open, outrage warring with something softer in her eyes. She snapped it shut again and shoved past me toward the triage tent.
Boone appeared at my shoulder, dripping wet and grinning like the devil. “Well, that was subtle.”
“Shut up,” I muttered, dragging a hand down my face.
Russ followed, calm as ever. “She’s good, Stoker. Strong. Knows what she’s doing. you need to let go of the past for now.”
“I know what she’s doing,” I ground out. “She’s trying to get herself killed.”
Russ’s steady gaze met mine. “Or maybe she’s trying to save people. Same as you.”
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
Because the truth was, Russ was right. She was as relentless as I was. That was the problem.
And God help me, it was also what made me want her more than I ever should.