Page 60 of Fatal Intent

If his mind would shut off, that is. At the moment, his brain was working overtime to figure out who hated him enough to come after the important people in his life.

Grant wrapped his arm around Rayne’s shoulders and eased her upper body against his chest. “Is this okay?” he murmured.

She sighed and snuggled closer, seeming to go boneless in his arms. “It’s perfect. Are you sure this won’t keep you awake?”

“I’m more at peace than I’ve been for a long time. Sleep, Rayne. I’ve got you.”

Within a couple of minutes, the woman he cradled in his arms was fast asleep. Grant settled deeper into the chair, kissed the top of her head, and allowed himself to drift. Surprised to grow sleepy, he deliberately slowed his breathing and relaxed every muscle. The past 36 hours had been difficult, and he needed to recharge his batteries.

He woke fully alert when the jet settled on the runway in Bayside. When the aircraft came to a stop, Grant stroked Rayne’s back. “Rayne, time to wake up. We’re in Bayside.”

She stirred and blinked up at him. “I didn’t think I’d sleep that long.” Rayne sat up.

“Neither did I.” He smiled. “Thanks for letting me hold you.”

“Oh, trust me. The pleasure was all mine.” She winked at him.

Grant folded their blanket and stored it in the overhead bin as two burly men boarded the jet with a stretcher and hurried toward the bedroom. He wondered how Tara fared on their flight to the states.

In less than two minutes, the men reappeared in the aisle, maneuvering the stretcher up the narrow passageway and through the open doorway. Sean and his children, along with Seth and Teagan and Jake, quickly followed them.

The rest of the operatives grabbed their gear and vacated the jet. On the tarmac waited three SUVs for them to use while they were in Bayside. Once their principals were treated and released, Echo and Artemis would be free to return to Nashville.

Grant frowned. At least, that was the normal procedure. With Maddox meeting them at the clinic, the procedure could change.

After storing their bags in the cargo hold, he followed Rayne into the backseat of one of the SUVs. Andre climbed behind the wheel as Riley strapped into the shotgun seat. A minute later, the caravan left the airport and headed toward the clinic where Ted Sorenson treated injured operatives and their principals.

When they arrived at the clinic, more of Sorenson’s assistants exited the building to lend a hand with the bags and any walking wounded. Grant and Rayne followed the rest into the clinic and headed for the kitchen, where the doctor kept food and drinks on hand for Fortress employees.

Setting their bags on the empty long table reserved for that purpose, Grant seated Rayne and went in search of food and drinks. He returned minutes later with three breakfast sandwiches, blueberry muffins, coffee, and water on a tray. Setting them in front of Rayne, he said, “Take whatever you want. I have a feeling we won’t be in Bayside for long.”

She picked up a sandwich and bit into it, moaning at the taste. “This is so good. I love these sandwiches.”

“Makes the stopover in Bayside worth the trouble.”

Their teammates filed into the conference room with their own filled plates and sat around the large table to enjoy the meal. After wolfing down food and coffee, the operatives usually split up watch rotations, allowing their teammates to take turns sleeping while still providing security for their principals.

As the operatives finished eating, Maddox walked in. Around the table, his employees straightened, and their conversationspetered off. He made eye contact with every operative. “Echo and Artemis, well done. The president sends his congratulations and heart-felt thanks.” He smiled. “Martin says he owes us a favor. I’ll take that any day.”

Grant and his teammates chuckled.

“I also owe you a debt. You pulled off an amazing rescue with only eight hours’ notice. You’ve more than earned an extra week off deployment rotation. Your month off starts as soon as you land in Nashville.”

Cheers sounded all over the room.

“How are the Whites?” Iona asked.

“Sorenson is treating Sean and the kids for cuts, bruises, and a few cracked ribs. Tara’s injuries are more extensive and will require more treatment. Bottom line is they’ll recover, thanks to you and your efforts to free them from the cartel’s clutches.”

“What about Mr. White and his bodyguard?” Elias asked.

A muscle in Maddox’s jaw twitched. “Similar injuries to Sean and the kids.”

Andre snorted. “At least they survived, unlike the rest of his bodyguards.”

Their boss inclined his head in agreement. “That’s what happens when you believe anything can be bought for the right price. White gambled with $5 million and lost. Grant, Rayne, Andre, and Riley need to remain behind. Iona and Elias, go talk to Seth and Teagan to work out a rotation schedule for guard duty. Put me on the schedule as well. I’ll lend a hand with watches until the Whites leave. Sorenson hopes to release them all for further treatment with their own physicians sometime tomorrow.”

Rayne threaded her fingers through Grant’s as Iona and Elias left the room.