Page 7 of Rafe’s Future

“She’s going to be fine,” Rafe assured his son-in-law. “You know Shadow. She’s strong. Tough.”

Slade huffed out a breath. “And stubborn as hell.”

“That, too.” His lips twitched as he gave the other man a slight nod. “Alice is a fighter. We’ve both seen it with our own eyes. She survived the past, and she’ll make it through this, too.”

God, he hoped those words were true. Because if they weren’t⁠—

“You think this has something to do with Stanton?”

“Michael Stanton is behind bars in Allenwood, where he belongs.”

The federal high-security prison in Pennsylvania was the perfect home for a man like Stanton. A former CIA-turned murderer-turned former United States Senator.

At the time of her death, Stanton had been Shadow’s mother’s partner in the CIA. But then, he got greedy, and that greed turned him into a cold-blooded killer.

The country never knew, of course. Not after the bastard had risen within the political ranks. He was stopped, though. Just this past year, Michael Stanton was finally brought to justice.

Not by Rafe. Oh, no. That credit belonged solely to his daughter. Shadow had searched and hunted, using her incredible brain and connections to track the man down. But when she had the chance to take his life for what he’d done, she didn’t.

He would have. If he hadn’t been lying on that damn floor after having been shot, Rafe would have pulled that trigger, and he’d have been justified in doing so. But Shadow chose instead to be the stronger, better person.

She’d chosen to let the man live.

“Just because Stanton is in prison doesn’t mean he couldn’t have orchestrated his own act of revenge.”

“I’ll look into it,” Rafe promised Slade. “I’ll put a call into the warden at the prison. Get copies of his phone and visitor logs.”

“I’ll make a few calls, too.”

“You need to focus on your wife. She’s going to need you when she wakes up.” His lips curved into a sad smile. “Even if she refuses to admit it.”

“And in the meantime?” Slade’s frustration came through clearly. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

“Patience, son. The time for action will come soon enough.” He put a supportive hand on his son-in-law’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “For now, we’re both exactly where we need to be.”

“Boss is right.”

They looked up to see they’d been joined by the man they called Bones. Beckett Stone, the team’s medic, was standing a few feet away. Next to him was his soon-to-be wife, Evie. The two were holding hands, their expressions matched with the same level of worry the rest of them felt.

“Do either of you need anything?” the sweet woman asked.

Evie’s big, brown eyes searched his before shifting to Slade. Her dark curls were piled high on her head as if they’d been haphazardly gathered together. Like the others, she’d gotten here as quickly as she could.

“I’m good,” Slade muttered.

Rafe offered her a genuine smile. “Nothing for me, thanks. But I do appreciate the offer.”

“Okay. Let me know if you change your minds.”

“What’s taking them so damn long?” Slade growled, pushing himself back up to his feet. “Shouldn’t they have at least given us an update by now?”

“I know you’re anxious to hear somethin’, brother.” Bones shoved his hands into the front pocket of his jeans. “But the hospital is the one place where no news really is good news.”

Slade ran a frustrated hand over the scruff covering his jaw. “I just wish I knew what the hell was going on with her, you know?”

“I do.” Bones nodded.

“We all do.” Falcon and his wife, Avery, joined them next. “It’s hard, but you just have to trust that they’re doing everything in their power to fix her.”