Chapter 31
Doc knelt beside Leo. “We’re landing in an hour. I’ll help you dress. How do you feel?”
“Like I got shot and it fucking hurt,” Leo said, struggling to speak.
Chase chuckled. “We’ll run some tests and see what we can fix once we get back home.”
“Take me to Catherine,” Leo said, reaching for her lock of hair, Melody’s picture, Derrick’s pacifier, and Gracie’s rattle.
He spent months lying on a wooden board, praying he’d get a second chance to spend time with his family.
The fights over his work hours clicked into place, and he saw Catherine’s point of view.
Instead of lip service, he needed to put his family first. If it meant fewer jobs or allowing teams to go without him, he’d make it work. Leo needed a second chance.
“They’re at your house. Kassie keeps calling and texting, asking when we’ll be there. I can’t answer the phone without telling her. We’re doing this your way. If it were me, I’d want to see my wife and kids first, too.”
Taking a hot washcloth, Doc scrubbed the months of grime from his face. He shaved off the haggard beard and helped him bathe. Amena did her best to keep him clean with the village water and the slivers of soap she cut to make enough for everyone. By the time Doc finished, he felt like a new man.
Taking out a pair of camo pants and a T-shirt, Doc laid them on the cot. He unbuckled his belt and handed it to Leo. “This will at least keep your pants from falling off as we walk.”
“You know me. I always make a grand entrance,” he quipped. This time he noticed Doc didn’t smile. He saw the months of agony weighing heavily on his friend’s heart, as it did on his teammates’.
Saint held him as Doc pulled the pants up and buckled the belt around his waist. It felt good to wear regular clothes.
“Do you want to sit in the seats for a bit before we land? I have the SUVS waiting. Ivan messaged ahead and requested his men bring them. We’ll head straight to your cabin.”
“Yeah,” he said, holding his throat. Doc handed him his first half cup of hot coffee.
“Let it cool a bit,” he advised. “Amena told me about your difficulty swallowing.”
“Do you think Catherine will be pleased I can’t talk as much?” he forced out.
Doc grinned. “I’m sure at some point it might cross her mind.”
Saint helped him to his seat and started to walk away when Leo touched his arm. “Sit with me.”
Sitting beside him, Saint waited for him to speak.
“I owe you my life. Taco and Shadow said you refused to give up. What do you say about entering a partnership with Whiskey and me? I’m thinking you need to own a stake in the company.”
“I didn’t do this for a reward. You’re my brother,” Saint argued.
“Yes,” Leo nodded. “But I have plans. I’ll need someone to share the burden of the responsibilities. I can’t wait to see what Whiskey created, but I’m stepping back to focus on my family.”
“One thing I learned is we don’t always get second chances,” Saint said quietly. “We’ll talk about it once you’re feeling better. Right now, let’s be grateful you’re here and celebrate it.”
“I love you, Saint. You stuck by my side from the very beginning. I’m honored to have you as my brother,” Leo said, his eyes turning glassy. “You, Taco, Shadow, Whiskey, and Ragu have followed me on this journey. I’m a grateful man.”
“I love you, too,” Saint said firmly. “Let’s find your wife.”
“Make sure she doesn’t have any guns or knives. I might’ve pushed her over the edge with this one,” Leo admitted.
“You’ve got a point. We’ll cover your ass,” he said, lightly punching him.
The plane touched down, and Leo’s heart raced as everyone deboarded the plane. A few minutes later, the second half of his team landed. Leo refused to leave until they all arrived.
“I will go with Rayven,” Amena offered. “Can someone take me to your hospital?”
“Ivan asked Ahmed to come alone. He’ll escort you there and care for her. He’ll give you a cabin to rest. I will give you a phone to call me if you need anything,” Whiskey informed her.
“I wish you the best, my friend,” Amena said as Ahmed approached Doc and Leo.
Ahmed stared at Amena as Doc introduced them.
“Ahmed, meet Amena. She saved Leo’s life along with Rayven’s. Can you get her settled into a cabin? She’s a doctor who returned to Afghanistan, like you,” Doc said.
The two gazed at one another, and Ahmed took her hand. “You’ll love it here. The men will transfer your friend, and you can give me a report while I drive you to our hospital. We have an excellent staff. Once we get her stable, we can grab dinner, and I will take you to a cabin for some rest.”
Leo shot Doc a grin. “I see Ahmed has come out of his shell.”
“I have a feeling they’ll be getting along,” Doc said, shaking his head.
The team gathered around him. “Doc called Kassie,” he announced. “Our loved ones are still at my home. What do you say about turning this funeral into a welcome home party?”
“Right behind you, boss,” Shadow said, getting into the second SUV.
Saint turned to the others. “Get your asses in the vehicles. We’re going home.”
As if a heavy weight lifted from their shoulders, the men hustled to the vehicles, and the team turned toward Serenity Mountain to greet their loved ones.
* * *
A soft knock on the door made Catherine turn around from the window, where she stared at the mountain.
“Come in,” she called.
Kassie entered and handed her a cup of tea. She stared out the window at the majestic scene before her.
“The guests have all left except for our family,” she said quietly. “Shall I have them start packing the food?”
“Why didn’t they come?” Catherine asked the question which bothered her all day.
“They’re on their way here,” Kassie told her. “They got caught in a delay.”
“Why didn’t they leave earlier?” she demanded.
“Do you know how many dinners we ate alone because Leo stayed behind to do something for them? They sent someone else to honor their brother, as if they tossed him aside. He was more than their leader. He loved them like brothers. They didn’t show up for him when his family needed them most,” she sobbed.
“Oh, honey. I don’t know what happened. But if they got delayed, it must be important. I’m sure they feel awful. We can hold a private service with them.”
“It’s not the point. Leo gave everything to his men. They didn’t show up for him,” she cried.
“I’m sure they had a good reason. You know they loved Leo,” Kassie comforted her.
“I do,” she agreed. “I’m angry he was taken from me. It hurts to see my daughter in pain. I don’t know how to breathe without him, Kassie. It hurts so bad,” she cried.
“I know. I wish I could take this away,” Kassie sobbed. “It’s not fair.”
They clung to each other as Kassie comforted her friend. They never heard the door open.
“Kit Kat,” a voice broke through their grief, and Catherine pulled away from Kassie, confused, thinking she heard Leo’s ghost. A movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she turned.
Kassie gasped as Catherine gripped her hand tightly. She blinked as he said her name again, “Kit Kat.”
He limped toward her with Doc’s help. “Leo?” she whispered, afraid to believe he truly stood there in the flesh.
Her heart raced, her face drained of color, and she struggled to breathe as she let go of Kassie to run straight into the arms of the man she loved.
Her arms closed around his neck as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Leo stroked her hair as he crooned to her. “Shhh, I’m here. I’m finally home.”
“They said you died?” She hiccupped into his neck.
“I did. It’s a long story. I will tell you later. I only want to hold you now,” he said, struggling to get his voice to work.
Kassie and Doc slipped out of the room, giving them time alone.
“I gave you a funeral,” she said. “Once I get over the shock of you standing here, remind me to get mad at you,” she cried.
“I’ll do my best,” he promised, stroking her back.
“Leo,” Catherine said, suddenly feeling dizzy. A sharp pain caused her to bend as she clutched her stomach.
“What’s the matter, Kit Kat?” he asked, concerned. “Doc, Kassie,” he called out.
She couldn’t speak as pain ripped through her body. She stared at the man she longed for all these months, not understanding what was happening to her.
“What’s wrong?” Kassie asked.
“I think she went into shock,” Leo said, panicking.
Catherine coughed, and blood sprayed over his shirt.
“Move, Leo,” Doc ordered as he picked Catherine up, heading to the SUV.
Shadow ran ahead of him, opening the door.
Saint scooped Leo in his arms and carried him out, placing him in the front seat.
Kassie slid into the back as Shadow peeled out of the driveway and headed toward the hospital.
He heard Kassie calling ahead. “It’s Kassie. Have Dr. Greene meet us at the ER stat and prep an OR,” she commanded as she wiped the blood from Catherine’s mouth. “Meet us with a gurney and a wheelchair outside now.”
By the time they arrived, a full staff of medical personnel waited.
They lifted his pregnant wife on the gurney and raced inside.
Saint sat him in a wheelchair and wheeled him inside as Dr. Greene gave orders.
Kassie hung IVs while Addyson ran down to the pharmacy.
Annabelle searched for a vein and prepped the arm.
“What’s happening?” he demanded.
“She has a blood clot,” Doc explained. “We need to deliver this baby now.”
“I’m going with you,” Leo demanded.
Annabelle came back and handed him a scrub gown, a beard cover, and a cap. “Put this on, and we’ll wash your hands.”
Saint pushed him down the hall as they rushed by him with Kit Kat on a gurney. Her skin appeared pale, and her lips took on a slight bluish tint.
Annabelle helped him scrub his hands, then wheeled him into the OR. Staff moved rapidly around him as he sat and stroked her head. “Stay with me, Kit Kat,” he said as Dr. Greene made the C-section incision, working to get the baby out. Kassie took it as Doc and Dr. Greene worked together.