Sully lifted thefork to his lips, trying to focus more attention on getting the scrambled eggs into his mouth than the tremble in his hand. Two days had passed since he’d woken up. Yesterday, he’d tried to eat some soup and pudding, but after the first spoonful, he was so exhausted that Jane took over, gently holding small bites to his lips. She’d also started to challenge his mind and body, whether it be standing up for a few seconds at a time or playing a game of cards. Her actions on the boat hadn’t allowed any room to question her abilities as a nurse, but right now, he felt like the luckiest man alive to have her quietly cheering on his progress.
“It’s only been a couple of days, but you’re doing amazing.” Jane smiled at him over the tray table between them.
“I have a great nurse.” He grinned.
“Yeah, Anusha is pretty wonderful,” she responded, a shy smile teasing her lips.
“She might be the one checking my vitals,” he said of his hospital-assigned nurse. “But don’t think it’s escaped me who’s been coordinating my care. I can’t so much as grimace before you’re tracking her down to administer meds to make me more comfortable. The one who insisted the speech-language pathologist follow up to evaluate my ability to begin swallowing food. What you’ve been doing isn’t easy, but you have my gratitude.”
“I don’t want you to feel grateful. I don’t want you to feel indebted to me in any way.”
“Too bad. I’m grateful you’re here. Even if you weren’t doing all those extra things, I’d be thrilled that you’ve been here cheering me on. And as far as feeling indebted to you? There will come a time when our roles reverse and I take care of you, but that has nothing to do with feeling as though I need to repay your kindness and everything to do with being there for each other. Whatever you call it, partners, equals, teammates, the woman I want to call mine in every way possible, I’ll take pleasure in caring for you because that’s part of a healthy and strong relationship. That’s what we’re building here. Something that lasts.”
Jane’s eyes softened to dark suede and her cheeks flushed.
She wasn’t comfortable with praise, but there were so many unspoken ways Jane had fueled his recovery. He’d started forcing himself to sit in the bedside chair for meals. It didn’t matter that a sweat broke out on his face with the transition. Even though he hated feeling weak, he wouldn’t get better by staying sedentary in a hospital bed. Plus, if he moved to thechair, Jane would sit across from him. They’d eat, play a round of UNO, and talk about whatever crossed their minds.
Red and Thalia had left the day before, and hope had surged in his chest when Jane promised the other woman that they’d see one another soon. He was glad they’d formed a fast bond, not just because it would give her more incentive to come back to Coronado with him, but because if there was anyone who deserved to have supportive friends, it was Jane and Thalia. He couldn’t wait to take the trip back to Virginia to see his former teammate Iron. They’d been on a mission that went to shit. A young SEAL had died, and Iron had lost his leg and part of his soul. Meeting Vivienne, Thalia’s friend, had changed the man, returning some of the light to his eyes.
Now, if only they could help their friend Jude find someone like that. He wasn’t sure Jude would ever find peace. There weren’t shadows of the past in his eyes, no turmoil or grief for everything he’d lost. He shoved that shit so deep, not a trace of emotion showed. Most people thought he was cold, merciless, and unfeeling, earning him the call sign Corpse during his SEAL days. He knew better though. Jude’s soul was simply dormant, and God save whoever or whatever was in his path when all the hatred and pain finally erupted, because no one would walk away unscathed.
“Speaking of care, you have a pretty busy day ahead of you. During the rounds this morning the doctor suggested transferring you out of ICU and onto the main recovery floor, which is huge. At some point you’ll need to go to radiology for your barium swallow study to make sure the food you’ve been eating is going where it’s supposed to and not aspirating into your lungs. You also mentioned your friend Jude would be visiting today, right?”
“Yeah, do you mind checking my phone? He said he’d send a text when his plane landed.” Ransom had packaged up hisbelongings from the locker they were stored in at the Virginia base and shipped them to the hospital. It had taken him an hour to get through all the texts of well wishes and concern from his friends and family, but it was nice to know that people cared. It pissed him off that Jane’s mom or stepfather weren’t even aware she’d been missing or the trauma she’d endured. It didn’t matter that she was an adult. How could someone call themselves a parent and not know where their child was or what they were doing? When he mentioned her family, she’d always change the subject. Then there was the expression of hurt that followed. He hoped she’d someday trust him with whatever story put that sad look in her eyes.
Jane stood, clearing his nearly empty tray before crossing the room to where his phone was charging by the hospital bed.
“I didn’t text.” A low voice resonated from the doorway. “My phone died on the flight.”
Sully jerked his head up at the deep, toneless sound and Jane inhaled sharply.
“Fuck, Jude.” He laughed. “I didn’t even hear you open the door.”
“You scared the life out of me.” Jane pressed a hand to her chest before walking directly toward his friend and holding out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Thalia, Red, and Sully have told me a lot about you.”
“Same. Thanks for taking care of Sully.”
He watched as Jude shook Jane’s hand. His former teammate was intimidating, and although he didn’t smile, Jane didn’t appear fazed in the least.
Jude released Jane’s hand and turned toward Sully. “You look like shit. Sorry I didn’t come sooner.”
Sully knew that last week was one of mourning for Jude. Even though they’d been close as brothers for years, Jude didn’t talk about his personal loss. All he knew was his family hadtragically died and each summer, Jude flew across the country to pay his respects. “You do, too.”
Jude simply nodded. His pale eyes were bloodshot and heavy bags rested beneath them. Not for the first time Sully was concerned. Jude worked nonstop and had no personal life. No friendships aside from the ones he shared with Sully, Red, and Iron. As far as he knew Jude didn’t date. He tirelessly tracked down some of the most depraved criminals to grace the United States, but it was never enough. When Jude closed one human trafficking ring, another popped up in its place. It was an endless cycle, and Sully was afraid it was sucking any of the remaining life that existed out of Jude.
“Let’s talk about Bentley.” Jude wasn’t one to soften any type of blow, but Sully’s stomach still clenched when his friend spoke his little brother’s name. Jane rounded the bed and sat by his side, a steady presence he’d come to love having close. He took her hand, lacing her fingers with his.
He took a deep, fortifying breath to steady himself. “I’m ready.” Jane squeezed his hand, and once again, he was grateful for her presence.
Chapter Eleven
One word cameto mind when Jane thought of Sully’s friend Jude. Intense. Thalia had warned her that although Jude might seem intimidating, he had worked behind the scenes to help save her from the cartel. The man’s eyes were so pale she couldn’t tell if they were silver or blue. He looked like he was coming off a weeklong bender by the bags imprinted under his eyes. His hair was disheveled, like he’d raked his hands through it, pulling it by the root. The moment Jude mentioned Bentley, some of the color faded from Sully’s face. She couldn’t stop herself from crossing the room to his side. He immediately took her hand, and it was funny how that small connection grounded her. Made her feel wrapped up in warmth and security.
Jude glanced at their linked hands, then continued speaking. He’d kept the conversation light for the first few minutes of his visit, but as the seconds ticked down, he became more stoic. “It’s no secret that I’ve never been a fan of your brother, but out of respect I’ve never dug into him. I’m kicking my own ass for that. Jane, you were right to be wary. He’s gotten himself into some deep financial shit in Vegas, and while that doesn’t prove he’d try to hurt you, Sully, the text messages he sent one of his buddies might suggest otherwise.
“This friend of his has done time for assault with a deadly weapon and armed robbery. Bentley owes him money, but I haven’t been able to determine why. Regardless, he hasn’t paid up. Last week he mentioned that his brother was in the hospital, and his condition wasn’t looking good. Also said he was thebeneficiary on the life insurance policy and he’d be able to pay up soon.”
Jane couldn’t stop the low growl that tore from her throat. Heat prickled over her scalp, and she swore her vision tunneled.
