As Troy and Trask were speaking, the elevators opened. The three remaining first deputy executives, responding to the alarm, exited, weapons at their side. No one had cancelled the security breech alarm. "Morning.” Troy smiled.
“Morning, Boss. Now I know why, when the alarm went off, Julian laughed and said, ‘shock and awe,’” Blake Minor said. “He never flinched.”
“C’mon, Boss, you have an appointment with a scanner.” Trask and Troy headed to the elevator.
Troy signaled for the up elevator. “Thanks, Trask. I never expected to need this kind of support,” he admitted.
Trask faced him. “When Bravo Team was first formed, you sat us down and told us you didn’t care where we came from or who we were off duty. When we are on a mission, when we go in, we all come out, and if we can’t do it under our own power, then everyone on the team is strong enough to get that teammate home.
“Youdidknow who we were and what was important in all our lives. I’m lucky to know where you are from and who you are. You led, you held hands, kicked ass, and taught us what an operator and leader should be. I will follow you in and carry you out. I’ll step in front to block a blow and stand beside you.” Trask held the elevator door.
“We need a quick stop on women’s health.” Troy hit that floor’s button. “And, Trask, thanks doesn’t seem to be enough.”
Security was tight at Troy’s order. He and Trask walked down the corridor to see Julian standing outside a room speaking with his sister. The corridor did not need lights because Julian was beaming as he ran down the hallway.
“Come see!” Julian led him back to the room where Sadie was leaning over Holly as she held the baby. “Seven pounds, twelve ounces, twenty-two inches long. We’re going to call him JT, so there’s no name confusion.”
“That’s great! I’m sure Tag will be thrilled; his new nephew is his namesake too.” Troy smiled, staring at the tiny newborn. Trask grinned ear to ear at the beautiful sight.
Julian crunched his brows. “I didn’t tell you the baby’s middle name, did I? The T is for Troy.”
Troy swallowed hard. “Um, wow.” He rubbed his chest.
“Come inside.” Julian handed him an isolation gown. “Wash your hands so you can hold him.”
Sadie ran to him and gave him a hug. “How are you, big sister?” Troy gave her a big hug back.“And you, Momma?”
“Would you like to hold him?” Holly offered. “You almost delivered him.He got here about a half hour after we left the house.”
Julian shrugged, scooped his new son up and, after Troy sat, placed JT in his arms. The baby’s tiny fingers curled around Troy’s thumb. Troy stared at the handsome baby with jet-black hair. “Little guy, you are such a lucky boy. There are a bunch of people who love you, your big sister, and your mommy and daddy. You will never want for anything.”
Troy looked up at Julian. The look between them said more. When Chase Security was formed, they all agreed to take care of each other’s families if something happened.
Julian tapped his heart and lifted his son up from Troy’s arms. “Let me know how things go. You okay with Trask?”
“I’m fine. Enjoy, Mommy and Daddy—and Big Sister.”He blew kisses to all and headed out.
He went to see Gwen, but she was having her own CT scan when he arrived.Unable to delay his appointment any longer, he and Trask headed to the surgical floor.
* * *
“Good morning.”Tim Holland looked up from the nurses’ station. “Hi, Trask.”
“Hey, Tim. Where to?” Trask asked.
Tim led them back to one of the patient rooms, then opened a drawer. “Everything off, gown open to the back. Use a second gown as a robe. I’ll be back with your breakfast cocktail. Berry, banana, creamy vanilla, apple, or mochaccino? I hear berry tastes the best.”
“Fine, berry.” Troy rolled his eyes.
“You’re a good sport, Boss.” Trask chuckled.
“I’m used to sipping chalk.”
Troy and Trask were going over schedule approvals when Tim returned with the contrast. “It needs to make it through the bowel. When it hits the colostomy bag, we’ll head to the scanner.”
Tim grabbed a chair and flipped it around to sit. “I’m making you a proposition. For the scan, we need to instill more contrast into the rectum and remaining low bowel. The surgeon wants to look from the bottom up, both manually and with the scan. We can put you under for fifteen minutes. It won’t impact Doc Novak. The only restrictions are no driving or firearms, and no financial decisions for the rest of the day.”
“Knock me out. I screwed up the schedule last night. I can’t go down memory lane like that today.” Troy's lips turned down.
