Page 35

“I love you, brother.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Foster focused on Chase. “Assuming you’re not as high as Major Tom, here, why don’t you start at the beginning.”
Chase squeezed his forehead, looking as if he was considering pounding his head through the wall before he huffed. “I don’t remember everything.”
“Then, tell us what you do remember.”
“When we arrived at Greer’s office, she was edgy. Maybe not something everyone would notice, but I did. When I asked her if everything was okay, she simply said she’d explain once we were back at your place. That it wasn’t safe to talk about it there.”
“Greer said the station wasn’t safe?” Foster frowned. “What does that even mean?”
“You tell me because we left, and everything seemed fine considering the freaking weather. Then the next thing I know, you’re banging on the glass, Greer’s half dead in the passenger seat and Mac’s shimmying through some hole as the Bronco’s flooding.”
“And you think someone at the station was involved with the accidents?”
“All I know is that we asked her to dig deeper, then she says her office isn’t safe before she’s nearly killed in a car accident. And before you ask, no, I don’t remember how the Bronco went off the road, but you know me. I’ve driven in conditions far worse than these. I wouldn’t simply slide off the side. And even if I did, how did we get enough momentum to reach the river?”
Foster held up his hands, keeping Chase from launching out of the bed. “I don’t know, but I promise you, we’ll find out. Just… try not to worsen whatever’s hiding beneath all those bandages. Your shoulder’s already been dislocated once. We don’t need you knocking it out again because you face-planted on the floor trying to get out of bed.”
Chase scowled, clenching his jaw as he let his head tip back against the pillows before he focused on Mackenzie. “Are you okay, Mac?”
She smiled. “You do remember who my father is, right? Because I’ve been hurt worse on a family camping trip.”
Chase shook his head. “Great, another Beckett.”
Mackenzie coughed, rubbing her chest a bit as she took a breath. “I’m fine, Chase. Only a few scratches.”
“Right.” He shifted, again, all but shouting out this time.
Foster edged closer. “Have you taken any meds?”
Chase looked away. “A couple Tylenol.”
“You’re black and blue, with a separated shoulder and a crater in your left thigh. Tylenol’s not going to touch that kind of pain and you know it.”
“You know how I feel about narcotics.”
“I do, but brother… You’re not your old man. He had the problem, not you. And whether you want to agree or not, you’re not responsible for his sins. So, take the morphine or the Percocet or whatever. We’ll stand watch until you’re back with us. Promise.”
“If I take the pills, I can’t protect Greer.”
“You let us worry about Greer. You just need to get some rest so I can bust yours and Zain’s asses out of here in the morning. And yeah, you’re both staying the night because Zain managed to partially collapse a lung and skewer a piece of shrapnel through his shoulder. Which means, he’s as messed up as you are.”
“And if whoever’s behind all of this comes back while we’re all having conversations with the furniture?”
“Then, they’ll have to go through me.” Kash nodded at the mutt. “And Nyx.”
Chase shook his head, another groan rumbling free. “You need to keep Greer safe.”
“We’ll watch over Greer.” Mac motioned to Foster then back to her. “With all those injuries, she’ll likely spend the night in the ICU. I know a couple of the nurses and I’m sure I can convince them to let us stand watch. They know how we like to take care of our own. And I’ll call my dad. He knows that ex-deputy ranger guy, Page, who Beckett’s dad hired. If you guys agree he’s trustworthy, we’ll arrange for Page to provide security until Greer’s ready to be discharged. Then, she can stay at Foster’s if needed until this is settled. Okay?”
Chase pursed his lips, looking as if he was still going to argue before he blew out a rough breath.
Kash nudged him. “Take the meds.”
Chase eyed Kash. “You promise you won’t let me out of this bed until I’m coherent again?”
“I swear on Sean’s grave.”