Page 10 of Rafe’s Future

The minutes ticked by with him lost in his sea of storming thoughts. Before he knew it, the doors to the room were sliding open, and Slade appeared from behind the curtain.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Bones is back. He said you arranged for the team to guard Shadow’s door?”

“Hey. Uh, yeah.” Rafe cleared the emotion from his throat as he rose from the chair. “I meant to say something earlier. After you left the waiting room, I put in a few calls. One was to Falcon, requesting this room be guarded at all times until we figure out who was behind this.”

“I appreciate that, Boss, but you do realize I’m going to be here all night. No sense in making the guys⁠—”

“It’s done.” He went to where Slade was standing. “You know, the surgeon said she’ll be out the remainder of the night. I’m going to go home, clean up, and try to get some sleep. I’d suggest you do the same, but I’m assuming I’d be wasting my breath.”

Slade’s answer was written all over his chiseled face before the man uttered a single word.

“I’m not leaving.” The other man gave a slow shake of his head. “Doesn’t matter who’s standing outside that door.”

Rafe’s mouth curved slightly at the corners. “I didn’t expect anything less.” He pulled his son-in-law in for a quick half-hug. “You’ll call if anything changes?”

“Of course.”

“Okay.” He stepped back with a nod and turned for the door. Pushing the curtain aside, he paused, sending Slade a parting glance from over one shoulder. “I’ll be back first thing in the morning, unless I hear from you before then. And Slade?”

“Yeah?”

“I know it’s not easy in a place like this but try to get some sleep while you can.” Rafe’s gaze shifted to the sleeping woman. “She’s going to need your strength and support when she wakes up.”

“Copy that.”

He dipped his bearded chin and left the quiet room. To his immediate right, Bones was already standing guard.

“How’s she doin’?”

Rafe turned to face the team’s medic who was to the right of the door, a small duffle bag held tightly in his grip. “The medicine they’re giving her will keep her out for the remainder of the night.”

“That’s good, right?”

“It is.”

At least, I hope it is.

Bones waited a beat before double-checking the details of his new security gig.

“And you’re sure they aren’t going to try to kick me outta here?” The man’s uncertain gaze scanned the part of the ICU they could see.

“They won’t,” Rafe assured him. “I called the hospital’s director after you and the others left.”

“You have the guy on speed dial?”

“Actually, Dr. Marsh is a woman. And with a job like ours, it’s always good to make friends with people in all sorts of positions. Including those in emergency medicine.”

Bones’s shoulders bounced with a snort. “Giving the team’s track record for injuries, I’d say that’s a smart bet.”

“I’m assuming you and the others worked out a schedule?”

“Yes, sir.” The other man nodded. “We’re rotating in eight-hour shifts. I volunteered to go first, and Apollo will relieve me when it’s time. Falcon’s after him, followed by Colt. Then, if it’s still deemed necessary, I’ll start the rotation over again after that.”

“Good. Keep me posted. And no one goes in that room unless they’re verified staff.”

“Don’t worry, Boss. I’ve got them both covered. Even brought Dig a change of clean clothes.” He lifted the bag in his hand a few inches.

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” Both he and Slade were still wearing the same blood-stained clothes they had on at the time of the shooting. “You need anything at all, you call me.”