He tore his eyes from her and looked up at his friend. “I almost didn’t.”
“But you did. And she’s strong. A fighter.” Matt looked down at Gracie’s unmoving form. “Wouldn’t have made it this far if she wasn’t.”
From their seats, both Gabe and Zade muttered words of agreement, and Nate realized they were right.
Glancing back down at the woman he never wanted to live without, he reflected on the strength and wit it had taken for her to stay in hiding after her apartment had been broken into.
He thought of that night in the alley and her unwillingness to put her sister in harm’s way, despite the fact that Gracie would’ve been safer if she had.
There was no doubt Gracelynn McDaniels was a fighter. More fierce and brave than any woman he’d ever known.
She’d kept it together, even when she believed there was no way out of that sinking car. Had looked at him with calm, clear eyes when she’d kissed him goodbye, begging him to save himself.
Tears welled in his eyes and his nose began to burn, but Nate pushed it all back. He had to remain strong. For Gracie’s sake.
Between the short trip on the chopper, a fourteen-hour flight into Dallas, and then getting Gracie from that airport to Homeland’s medical center, the last few hours had passed by in a blur.
And Nate never left her side. Until now.
The doctors and nurses assigned to Gracie had been waiting at the doors for them. Before letting her go, Nate had given her a kiss on her forehead, whispering his promise to be back with her as soon as he could.
That seemed like forever ago.
Logically, he knew there were several tests that had to be completed before he’d be allowed to see her again. The emotional side of him wanted to scream with the need to be with her. To touch her.
“She’s gonna be okay.”
Nate turned to find Gabe standing next to him. He was holding out a paper cup, steam escaping through the plastic lid’s tiny opening.
The other man gave him a half-smile. “Thought you could use some coffee.”
“Thanks.” Nate took the cup.
The heat against his palm had a bit of a bite, but he welcomed it. That pain meant he was alive. And so, by some miracle, was Gracie.
“You did good, Carter. You never gave up.”
Nate took a sip, the bitter liquid nearly burning his lips.
Swallowing, he shook his head. “I thought I’d lost her, Gabe. Hell, Ididlose her.”
“But you got her back. You followed your training, listened to your instincts, and stuck with her even when the rest of us probably would have given up. Gracie’s alive because of you, Nate. You should be proud of yourself. I know I am.”
Any other time, Nate would have jumped at the chance to give Kole a hard time about their team leader bragging on him. Today, he just wanted to be able to look his friend in the eye and tell him Gracie was going to be okay.
“Any word from Kole?”
“He and Sarah are on their way with Jake. They should be here any minute.”
Nate looked Gabe square in the eye. “I never thanked you. For helping me get her out of that car.”
“Never have to thank me for that, Carter. You’re part of Bravo and, as far as I’m concerned, so is Gracie. We take care of our own.” When Nate gave him a nod, Gabe went on to say, “I filled McQueen in on what happened and how everything went down. He’ll need a full report from us all later, but that’s nothing you need to worry about right now.”
Thoughts of official reports led him to ask, “What’s happening with Yavuz? And Rasat and Barry?”
“Ghost and Fletch recovered Yavuz’ body. They drove it back to the guy’s property and met up with Coach who’d stayed behind with Rasat. Beatle, Hollywood, and Truck went back for Barry. Last I heard, Ryker was sending people in to deal with Yavuz’ and Akmar’s bodies, and Delta team all met back up and were preparing to escort Barry and Rasat to the States.”
Nate thought a moment. Achim Akmar and Edric Yavuz had been taken care of, but there was still one more guy Nate needed to know about.
