Chapter 40
The antiseptic smell hit first, then the dull throb in his head—manageable now, not the splitting agony from before.
Progress.
A weight on his hand drew his attention. Sarah slept in the chair beside him, her good hand covering his, her face pillowed on her other arm. Even exhausted, bruised from their ordeal, she was beautiful. Her other hand peeked from a black cast—the thumb she'd dislocated to save them all.
The door burst open. Ronan entered first, followed by Maya and Deke, all attempting stealth.
“Hey, kids.” Axel tore in at full speed. His shoulder caught the IV stand, sending it careening into the wall. Sarah jolted awake, immediately checking his monitors, her hand tightening on his.
"Smooth," Deke muttered.
"How's the head?" Ronan asked, ignoring Axel's stammering.
"Better before Axel tried to finish Buckley's job."
"I brought flowers!" Axel protested, holding up something that might have been a bouquet before it met his truck's floorboard.
"Those are dead," Maya observed.
"They're... vintage."
Sarah's laugh was soft but real. Her thumb traced circles on his hand—definitely on purpose.
More team members poured in. Izzy with Finn and Zara. Someone cranked up the TV volume as Buckley's perp walk played again. The senator who'd nearly killed them looked smaller now, dignity stripped away.
"Pemberton flipped immediately," Ronan reported.
Maya rolled her eyes. “I’m so not shocked.”
"In related news,” the TV anchor continued. “International authorities have arrested sixteen Sentinel network leaders across nine countries in coordinated raids."
The screen shifted to Tank's photo—dress whites, slight smile.
"Chief Petty Officer Marcus Sullivan, posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for exceptional valor in exposing this conspiracy."
Silence settled over the room. Two years of questions finally answered.
"He knows," Sarah said quietly.
The door opened again. Admiral Knight entered with his usual commanding presence, gaze sweeping the room before landing on Griff and Sarah.
"Outstanding work. All of you."
He moved closer. "Buckley's looking at life without parole. Pemberton won’t get much less.” He beamed.
"Sentinel is finished this time. Burned to the ground.
Every financial node Tank identified has been frozen.
The network collapsed within hours of Buckley's arrest. Some of the smaller fish will get away, but Buckley and his top tier are going down. "
"Tank's white whale," Deke murmured. "Finally harpooned."
The Admiral nodded. "His sacrifice exposed the network. You all finished what he started." He checked his watch. "I have personnel matters to discuss with the team. Briefing Monday, 0800."
He glanced at Sarah. "Ms. Winters, thank you again for your service."
The man disappeared before anyone could respond.
Sarah stood, reading the room. "I should... check on your labs. Make sure they're monitoring everything properly."
She squeezed Griff's hand once and left.
The moment the door closed, everyone turned on him.
"So," Ronan said, casual as a loaded weapon. "Sarah."
"What about her?"
"Don't play dumb," Izzy said. "You're in love with her."
"That's not—"
"You took a bullet for her," Maya pointed out.
Kenji snorted. “He’s taken lots of bullets for lots of people. It’s what we do.”
“Yeah, but he didn’t complain about it,” Ronan pointed out.
Kenji’s eyes widened. “That is an excellent point.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “So, dude, you and Sarah? Tell us everything.”
"Came out of hiding for her," Axel contributed, then paused. "Wait, she bear-sprayed you and you still fell for her? That's true love."
"She needs normal," Griff insisted. "A regular life. Not our chaos."
"Right," Ronan said dryly. "Because dislocating your own thumb to stop terrorists screams 'wants normal life.'"
"Plus the Admiral wants—" Axel started.
"Shut it," Ronan cut him off sharply.
Griff's eyes narrowed. "The Admiral wants what?"
"Nothing," everyone said simultaneously.
Before he could press, Doc swept in with a basket that smelled like heaven. "Real food, not hospital garbage."
She shooed everyone out, then threw herself down in Sarah's chair. "Griffin, you're an idiot."
"Thanks, Doc."
"That woman adores you. And you're going to let her walk away because of some misguided nobility?"
"She deserves better."
"She deserves choice. Her choice. Not yours made for her." Doc stood. "Figure it out, Griffin. Before it's too late."
The team filtered back in with Sarah, who'd returned with coffee for everyone. Axel now sported a new forehead bruise.
"Automatic door," Sarah explained.
Axel looked annoyed. "It was aggressive."
As they ate Doc's food and swapped stories, Griff watched Sarah integrate seamlessly with his family. Laughing at Axel's disasters. Discussing technical details with Zara. Being gently teased by everyone about the bear spray.
She belonged here. With them.
With him.
But how could he ask her to give up a normal life for their brand of chaos?
On the TV, a breaking news banner scrolled: FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO CHARLESTON CONSPIRACY.
"That's got to be who ordered Sarah to Montana," Finn said, pulling up his laptop. "Give me five minutes, I'll have the full connection."
Sarah went still. Being betrayed by someone in her own organization had kind of fallen by the wayside with all the chaos and gunfire.
He knew how it felt, being betrayed by one of your own. He reached for her hand. She took it without hesitation.
Doc was right. More right than she knew. Sarah deserved to make her own choice. And if he lost out, so be it. The pain of losing her was worth the risk.