Page 38

Foster ignored the way the guy stood there, grinning, as Mac talked to Atticus, too softly for Foster to make out any of the words. Another male voice joined in a few minutes later, but just when Foster was about to bolt to the door, Mackenzie strolled back into the room.
Bodie turned to face her. “Well?”
“First, that was the doctor. Greer’s in recovery. They managed to stop the bleeding and put in a chest tube. She’ll be in the ICU until they’re confident her lungs are clear and she’s not going to pop any of those bleeders back open. But he said she should make a full recovery and be back busting balls in a few weeks.”
Foster nodded when Kash slapped him on the back. “Thank god. And your dad?”
Mac held up her phone. “As usual, he said he was too damn busy to hold our hands through this and that all you need to know about Bodie is he was involved in Black Canary.”
Foster coughed then scrubbed his hand across his face. “That was your Ranger unit?”
Bodie sighed. “Which means it was your team who pulled us out.”
“Talk about a small world.” He gave Bodie a clap on the shoulder. “We’d love some backup until Greer’s ready to be discharged. After that, I have a feeling Chase will insist on her staying with us until this is all sorted out. And before you ask, we don’t really know what this is, yet. But we’re damn sure gonna find out.”
“I won’t let anything happen to her. You’ve got my word on that.” He turned then stopped at the doorway. “Give me a shout if you need anything else. I’ve got a pretty decent setup. And I’ve got Mac’s number. I’ll send updates. Until then, I’ll be parked outside of recovery then in the ICU.”
Mac cozied up to Foster, bumping his hip with hers. “I assume that whatever happened on that mission means we can trust him?”
Foster sighed. He couldn’t say too much but he could put any doubts at rest. “That’s when he got that injury he mentioned. He went back when two of his teammates got pinned down. Damn near died, but he got them clear. Men like that can’t be bought.”
She simply smiled, leaning against him a bit as the room fell into an odd silence.
Kash broke it first as he gave them both a shove. “Go home.”
“No way.” Foster widened his stance. “We’ll spell each other off.”
“Is that before or after you both pass out from exhaustion?” Kash scoffed when Mac went to interrupt him. “You’re both still blue and you both took blows to the head. I’m fine. I didn’t end up trapped in a Bronco or swimming in a river. And I’ve got Nyx with me if I need to close my eyes for a moment. Nothing gets past her. So, go. Call Keaton, and I’ll expect coffee in the morning.”
Foster glanced at Mac and damn, she did look cold. “You’ll call if there’s even a hint of trouble, right?”
“Scout’s honor.”
“You’re such an ass.” He grabbed Kash’s hand as he gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Call if you need us back here.”
Kash shooed them out then plopped down on a chair between Chase and Zain’s bed, Nyx circling twice before lying at his feet. Foster took one last look around the room, searching the shadows, just in case, before palming Mac’s back, again, and walking with her down the hallway. They didn’t talk, just continued along in a comfortable silence until they jumped in his truck then headed toward home.
She kicked her seat back a bit, twisting toward him. Staring with what he could only describe as a dreamy smile lighting up her face.
He waited a bit then shook his head. “I’m starting to think that doctor was way off, and you need to be under observation for a while.”
She laughed, the easy sound skittering along his nerves until he swore the truck must be overheating. “Why’s that?”
“Because of the way you’re looking at me. Either you’re having an aneurism, or you took some of Zain’s meds when I wasn’t watching.”
“You think I’m high because I’m smiling?”
“Smiling while looking at me.” He shrugged. “Usually, women scream and throw things.”
She laughed again, and it had the same effect only far more intense. As if she’d lit every inch of him on fire. “Guess I’m not like other women.”
“Amen, to that, sweetheart.” He groaned when the endearment slipped free, again. He’d never been one to use pet names, but the word just formed on his tongue regardless of whether he was thinking it or not.
Mackenzie leaned in, getting dangerously close. “Call me crazy, but I kinda like the way you say that.”
“Amen?”
“You’re so not what I expected.” She drew her finger along his arm. “And I meant sweetheart. It’s…” She inhaled. “Jesus. Foster. Pull over!”