Chapter 23
Addison pushed into Braedon’s hospital room carrying a bag of sandwiches and a shopping bag from the base exchange. “Braedon? You here?”
He stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing a towel over his head. “Hey. What’s in the bags?”
“Doner kebabs and iced tea in this one.” She lifted the food bag. “Sweats, T-shirts, underwear, and shoes in this one.”
“You’re the best sister ever.”
“I know. Right?” She tossed the clothes and shoes on the bed and set the doners on the table. “I figured you might be more comfortable traveling in real clothes rather than scrubs.”
“Can you prop the door open?” he asked.
“Sure.” She opened it and stepped on the doorstop. “Any particular reason?”
He stared at the door for a moment, like he didn’t know the answer to the question. Or, more likely, he didn’t want to answer the question because answering it would be admitting he felt as trapped in the hospital room with the door closed as he had in that cell.
“Got it,” she said.
The tension eased from around his mouth as he sat in one of the chairs and pulled out a sandwich. He removed the foil from the plate and lifted it to his nose, inhaling deeply, a look of pure bliss on his face. “I love you so much right now.”
She grinned. “I think you love me more for the food than for rescuing you.”
“I love you for that too, but this is a real doner,” he said around a huge mouthful of pita bread and meat. “Did you get food and clothes for Michael? I feel bad that I have you here and he doesn’t get to see his family until we get to the States.”
“Yes, we got him clothes and food, too. Paige took it to him.”
“Thanks. I know he’s as antsy as I am being cooped up here.”
They dug into their sandwiches, Braedon groaning and makingnom nomsounds the entire time. It hit her how normal it was—how familiar. Tears welled up, and she had trouble swallowing the bite she’d taken. She grabbed her iced tea and took a big sip, washing down the food.
“Hey.”
She looked up at her brother, wiping his hands on a napkin.
“You okay?” he asked.
Damn it. Why did that question always unleash the floodgates? She could usually hold it together until he asked that question.
“Hey, hey, hey.” He pulled her chair to his and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m safe and I’m safe because you didn’t give up.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I keep thinking about what might have happened.”
“Stop. It didn’t. There’s no use thinking about it.”
“I know, but it’s going to be a while before I don’t wake up thinking you’re still missing.” She dragged her nose across his scrub top and scooted her chair back over.
He looked down at the slime streak on his sleeve. “That’s disgusting.”
“Whatever. It’s the least you deserve for all the times you tormented me when we were kids.”
He gave her a baleful look, then shrugged. “All right, I know the basics of how everything came together, but how did you connect with Leonidas?”
“I didn’t really. They connected with me. Devon attended your funeral”—she hooked her fingers for air quotes—“and approached me afterward.” She didn’t share that she’d walked out before the end.
“And Aiden Graham just happened to let you go along on the rescue mission?”
“I insisted.”
