“Boss.” Grant looked at the dark-headed man.
“We would’ve been here sooner, but there was a wreck and we had to take a detour.”
His team leader’s words made Grant think of the night of the dance and the detour they’d taken, too. It was the first night he and Brynnon—
“How is she?” Jake’s voice grabbed his divided attention.
He ran a hand down his rugged jaw. “I don’t know. They’ve been in there a while. I’m not really sure how long.”
A shared understanding flowed into Jake’s blue eyes as they slid toward Brynnon’s room and back to him.
“Sorry I didn’t call.” Grant didn’t even try to make excuses. “I should have—”
Jake’s supportive words cut him off. “You were doing exactly what you needed to.”
“I’m so sorry, Grant,” Olivia reached up and gave him a hug. Her pregnant body made the move a bit awkward.
“Thanks,” he patted her gently on the back. Grant was afraid if he said much more he’d break down like a baby.
Trevor arrived next, Mac walking in seconds behind him.
“Got here as soon as I could,” Trevor told him somberly. “There was a wreck, and the detour was a bitch.”
“S’okay.”
Mac’s worried eyes found his. “She’s going to be okay, right?”
Emotions threatened to break through the protective wall he’d begun to rebuild. Though not everyone on the team had even met Brynnon, they’d all showed up...for her.
No, big guy. They’re here for you.
Grant barely held back his reaction to hearing Brynnon’s comforting voice in his head. He knew it was just his imagination, but the realization was startling, all the same.
Christ, he needed to hear it again. Like he needed his next breath.
“I heard she took a hit to the back.”
Jake’s voice tore Grant away from his thoughts. Feeling almost numb, he nodded. “Downing shot her. The bastard shot her, and then dragged her off into the shadows.”
His nostrils stung, and warm tears filled his eyes. An enormous knot swelled in the back of his throat to the point he thought he’d choke. Though he had no idea how, Grant managed to swallow down the painful emotions seconds before they could burst free.
Sniffling, he told his team leader, “He just left her there to die, Jake. Like a fucking dog, Downing just...left her.”
Jake stared back at him with utter certainty. “We’ll find him.”
Jaw clenched, Grant nodded. “I’m counting on it.”
Ryker’s phone rang, the sound echoing off the pristine, white walls.
“Excuse me,” the Homeland agent muttered before taking a few steps away from the rest of them.
“Have they given you any updates on Brynnon’s condition?”
Grant looked back over to Olivia. “Not yet. The doctor won’t...” His voice cracked. “She, uh, won’t let me go in.”
With an understanding smile, Jake’s sweet wife said, “I’ll go see if they’ll give me an update, okay?”
He nodded, his chest tightening from the love he knew Olivia shared for everyone on the team. “Thank you.”
