Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You’re insane. Certifiably crazy.”
Greer sighed as Chase paced the small room, shaking his head as he glanced at the machines behind the bed then her. Eyes narrowed, brow furrowed, he looked more than a bit pissed.
She reached for him, smiling when he instantly took her hand. No hesitation. No questions. “Chase. I’m fine.”
“You’re fine?” He leaned in close, and it took all her strength not to tug him the last few inches, taste his mouth. “You nearly died on me. No, scratch that. You did die on me. A few times. I was just lucky enough to get you back.”
“It wasn’t luck. And that was a week, ago.”
“You weren’t supposed to be awake for a week, let alone wanting to go home.”
Greer held his hand when he began to turn away. “I know, I scared you. Scared myself. But it’s not like I’m asking to go back to work or even my old apartment. And it just so happens my new place has this kickass medic living there, full time.”
That got her a roll of his eyes and a smile. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but—”
“No buts. And before you start, I can list all the times you’ve discharged yourself early.”
Chase placed his other hand over his heart. “Direct hit.” He relaxed a bit and rested his hip against the edge of the bed. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Which will be a whole lot easier if we’re sharing the same space.
” She urged him a bit closer. “The same bed without twenty possible,” she made air quotes, “tangos walking through the door every day, who you practically tackle to the floor.” She pinned him with a hard look.
“The staff’s talking, and they’re not being kind. ”
“Don’t really care whether they like me or not. I’m not apologizing for ensuring your safety. Not after almost losing you. When Royce called…” He swallowed, paled. “I’m not letting you down, again.”
“You never let me down. I should have trusted your paranoia wasn’t wrought out of fear. Though, you’re gonna end up in traction if you keep switching between holding me on the bed until I pass out, then moving to that chair.”
“First, I didn’t have any proof to back up my worries, and second, I can handle some uncomfortable nights, I wasn’t shot.”
“No, you just got stabbed with a thousand pieces of trestle bridge.”
Chase stared at her, then laughed. “Damn, I love you.”
“Then, show me.”
He shook his head as he closed the scant distance, slanting his lips over hers. The kiss was soft, gentle, and it touched her down to her toes.
Chase palmed her cheek. “You don’t fight fair.”
“I need you holding me all night. Not having these machines buzzing in my ears.” She smiled. “I just need you.”
He rested his forehead on hers. “You’ll follow whatever the doctor says, right? No bitching or moaning.”
“Oh, there’ll be moaning…”
A throat cleared off to the left, boots scuffing the floor before stopping.
Chase eased back, shook his head, then peered over his shoulder. “Nick.”
Nick Colter leaned against the doorframe, hands shoved into his pockets, a bemused smile curving his lips. “Don’t you two have any restraint?”
Greer leaned against the pillows. “Trust me, that was us being restrained.”
“Then, I agree with Greer. Get her home so the rest of us don’t have to watch.”
Chase narrowed his eyes. “Have you been standing in the hallway, listening?”
“Of course, I have. I work for the CIA. It’s literally in my job description.” He padded into the room. “Besides, I had to wait until you stopped sucking face.”
Greer laughed. “Kids, today, call it kissing.”
“Whatever, I wasn’t convinced you wouldn’t take it farther.”
Greer smiled when Chase rolled his eyes.
She’d been a bit anxious when she’d realized Nick had hopped on a flight — had arrived in Raven’s Cliff shortly after Chase and his teammates had rescued her and Buck.
Nick had never really played well with others, but he’d merely clapped Chase and his buddies on the back and thanked them for saving her life.
Then, he’d apologized for missing Royce’s involvement. That he should have scoured the available footage faster. Chase had brushed it off, and they’d all fallen into an easy friendship since.
Nick moved over to the end of the bed. “You’re actually starting to look human. How’s the pain?”
Greer eyed Chase. “I’m fine. Pain’s mostly gone.”
Nick laughed. “You know your nose scrunches up when you’re bullshitting, right?”
Greer flipped him off. “I’m well enough to go home.”
“By home, you mean Chase’s place, right? Because Foster’s been letting me crash, and the last thing I need is another perfect couple walking around being happy all the time.”
She frowned. “Sounds like there’s something you need to share about you and Kate.”
Nick’s smile fell. “Another time. Unlike Chase, I’m not here for a social visit. At least, not fully.”
Chase inhaled. “You’ve got news?”
“Wait.” Greer shifted on the bed, careful not to visibly wince. “Why would you have news?” She looked at the door when Foster and the crew walked in carrying a few paper bags, the scent of fresh bread wafting through the room. “What did I miss?”
Nick eyed Chase, and she knew they had an internal conversation.
She tossed a pillow at Nick. “Don’t look at him to see how much you should tell me because you’re spilling all of it.”
Nick laughed. “You always were a straight shooter. Grabbed everyone by the balls whether they deserved it or not. And yeah, you missed a few things. First, I had a friend pick through all the lodge video from when Rhett was abducted. She couldn’t recover much, but she was able to capture a few stills, and Royce definitely took him.
Looked as if Hodges took Rhett’s place for a while – kept all those machines beeping — so it took longer for the staff to realize your teammate was missing. Not that I’m excusing them, but…”
He shifted on his feet. “Second, I’ve had a team retracing Hodges and Carver’s steps.
It took a while to get the appropriate clearance, but we traced them back to a similar compound south of that mission.
We’d been led to believe the entire echelon had been eliminated, but it looks like enough of the leaders survived, they simply moved camp. Started fresh.”
Zain inched forward. “Are they still there?”
Nick nodded. “Their numbers were reduced, but we just sent a drone overhead, and the live feed wasn’t encouraging. Looks like they’re gearing up for some kind of massive strike. Which means Carver and Hodges did us a favor. We can send in a team before our friends realize they’ve been compromised.”
Chase crossed his arms. “What about Dalton? Royce made it sound as if he might be alive.”
Greer inhaled. Carver had hinted that Dalton was still alive?
Nick shook his head. “No visuals on anyone fitting his description, but it’s been five years. I’d expect him to look different. Either way, I’ll be tagging along, and I’ll make recovering any viable hostages my prime directive.”
Greer coughed. “You’re going into the field?”
Nick grinned. “I know. Damaged goods, but this one’s personal.”
She shook her head. She could argue, but Nick rarely wavered once he had his mind made up, and she knew the old injuries still haunted him. “When’s the team going in?”
“Unsure. I’m heading back to Virginia tomorrow. I need to assemble a team — get eyes on our group. Maybe some boots on the ground over there. But it won’t be long when it’s evident they could launch an attack at any time.”
Nick glanced at Chase’s team. “I’d gladly take all of you but… I have a feeling you and the CIA don’t quite see eye-to-eye.”
Foster shrugged. “We haven’t killed you, yet.”
“I’ll take that as a win. I’ll keep you all in the loop as much as possible without getting arrested for jeopardizing national security. And I’ll personally tell you whatever I discover about Dalton, good or bad, but I’m confident that the immediate threat’s over.”
Greer arched a brow. “You’re sure?”
“Would I lie to you, Greer?”
“Yes. Especially if you were worried about my physical and mental well-being.”
“Rude.” Nick laughed. “True, but still rude. And yeah, it’s over. Between the photos your pal Buck shared, and all the intel my team’s gathered, we’ve confirmed they didn’t contact anyone else.”
Nick cocked his head to the side as he tapped his chin. “I can have one of our satellites do constant sweeps of the town if you’re worried, though. Spy on all of you…”
Foster stepped forward. “I think we’re good. And we’ll all be more vigilant for a while. Just to be safe. Which brings me to our next issue. Are we busting Greer out before or after we eat, because I’m starving.”
Chase groaned. “God, not you, too.”
Foster scoffed. “Please, you were planning on breaking her out, yourself. You’re just pissed she beat you to it. So, let’s eat. Then, we make a run for it.”
Three weeks later…
“I’m not ready for this.”
Greer paused, her uniform half-buttoned, as she eyed Chase in the mirror. “For your shift to start?”
He crossed his arms. “For yours.”
She sighed, slipped two more buttons through the holes, then turned, leaning against the counter. “We’ve talked about this.”
“And I promised to be honest about how I felt, and this,” he motioned at her, “scares the shit out of me.”
She smiled, crossed over to him, stepping into his arms. “It’s over.”
Chase held her tight, his heart thundering against hers. “We think it’s over, but…”
“No buts. Nick’s had two agents in place for a couple weeks.
They’ve confirmed Carver and Hodges were the last people to leave the compound before the leaders issued a lockdown.
Started preparing for this massive attack.
And based on how Nick phrased a few of his messages, they’re launching their assault any day now, so… We’re clear.”
Chase blew out a rough breath. “And if we’re wrong? If Dalton’s been part of this from the start and is biding his time, waiting for us to get complacent so he can strike?”
“Chase.” She eased back, looked him in the eyes, her heart skipping at the shadows staring back at her. How he’d been when Rhett had first died.
She reached up and brushed some hair off his forehead. She’d ruined any kind of styling when he’d surprised her in the kitchen, and they’d had a quickie bent over the dining room table. “What do you need?”
Chase stilled, eyes wary, breath held before he gestured toward her. “To know you’re safe.”
“And how can we achieve that without me locked in our house?”
His mouth quirked at the use of our house. “I never said we had to lock the doors all the time.”
“Chase…” She mulled it over. “Can you get someone to cover your shifts for a few days?”
“Sure, but… How does that solve the issue?”
“You can ride shotgun. Be my human shield if any crazies show up.”
Chase coughed, hitting his chest a few times before tilting his head. “You’re going to let me ride shotgun? The whole day. Then, again tomorrow, and the day after that?”
“Just like a proper deputy, assuming it’s enough to stop you from crawling out of your skin.”
“But, what about protocol? The mayor? All the reasons you were worried about us pitching in when all this started?”
“I’m the sheriff. Fuck protocol, and the mayor can kiss my ass.” She shrugged. “The fact Bodie uncovered he’s having an affair has no bearing on my decision, whatsoever.”
Chase laughed. “Did you just admit you’ll blackmail the mayor if he puts up a fuss?”
She tiptoed up, drew her finger along his lower lip.
“I prefer to think of it as strategic negotiating. Besides, it’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done.
And I don’t just mean saving my ass. All the nightmares and the guilt over Troy…
” She smiled. “It’s better. Fading, I guess, and that’s because of you. ”
She swallowed, then winked at him. “Well? Do we have a deal?”
He scrunched up his face as if he was considering the offer, then eased her back. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You say, yes.”
She furrowed her brow. “Yes? To what?”
He took her hand. “To marrying me.”
She inhaled, staring up at him, wondering if she’d imagined the words when he smiled. Dropped a kiss on her mouth. She reached up, fisted his shirt and drew him down for another round. Deeper. Longer, until all that heat from earlier threatened to smother her. “Are you nuts?”
He nuzzled her nose. “Yup. About you.”
“We’ve only been living together a month, and that’s pushing the definition.”
“Don’t care.” He shushed her with another quick kiss.
“I love you, Greer. Have since I realized you mean more to me than anyone ever has, including my brothers, so… I don’t want to wait.
To live by someone else’s idea of the right amount of time before we jump.
You’re my world, and I jumped ages ago. All I need is a safe place to land. ”
Tears welled in her eyes then slipped down her cheeks. “You just had to prove you love me more.” She smiled. “And I’ll always be your safe haven because you’ve always been mine.”
“Is that a yes? Because I honestly don’t know.”
She shoved him. “Yes, it’s a yes, Einstein. Now, can we go to work, or am I breaking out the handcuffs?”
Chase chuckled, then lunged at her, hiking her up on his shoulder. “Looks like it’s the handcuffs, because I need one more taste of you before we can leave.”
He carried her over to the bed, launching them both onto the mattress. They bounced once, then he loomed over her, hair a mess, love shining back at her. He reached behind her and grabbed her cuffs, slipping one on his wrist before he dipped his shoulder, rolled them.
He held his arms over his head, nodding at her. “You’ve got the key, right?”
She jiggled her keyring. “Right here.”
“Then, do your worst, Sheriff. Just know this…” He levered up. Kissed her. “Tonight, it’s my turn.”
“Whatever you say.” She locked the other cuff in place. “I love you.”
“Love you more. Now, let’s get this party started, or you’ll be late for your first day back.”
Greer shrugged. “I won’t tell the sheriff if you don’t. Now, get comfortable. This could take a while.”