Page 7

7

Lyon

It had been eight days since I last saw Niki. In that time, we had evacuated two more groups of Americans and received additional assistance. Now, we were back to retrieve Niki. Mack informed us that she had found her brother, who had been shot in the side—the same individual Leo had mentioned.

“Do you think she’s still there?” I asked River.

“If it were my brother, I wouldn’t leave his side. Unfortunately, Mack fears her brother might be dead by now. I hope we find her in good health. Staying with a deceased sibling can’t be good for her.”

We needed to reach her as quickly as possible. Unaware of whether or not Niki was alone with her possibly deceased brother, I was frustrated that we hadn’t been informed of her exact location earlier. We had assumed she was already en route home on another plane.

“It’s this building,” Mack said, accompanying us. I opened the door and heard the click of a trigger being cocked. “Niki, it’s us.”

“It’s about damn time. My brother is driving me frigging crazy, insisting I leave him to die in peace. Are any of you medics? He needs that bullet out before it causes more damage. He wouldn’t even let me move him, and I spent days crafting a makeshift stretcher. So it would hold his weight.”

I chuckled. “We’re all medics. There’s food and water in this bag. Let me check on your brother,” I said, kneeling beside her. She opened the bag, took a long drink of water, and ate a pepperoni stick while I examined her brother.

“Did you have any food all this time?” River asked.

“I snuck into the market square and hid some food in this robe. I managed to feed both Max and myself, though I had to force him to eat and drink. I only went twice, fearing I’d get caught and leave Max here alone.”

“What do you think?” she asked as I examined Max.

“This bullet needs to come out before gangrene sets in. Max, can you wake up for me?”

“Max! Wake the hell up!” Niki shouted. “You have to yell to wake him. He’s always been a heavy sleeper.”

I saw her chin quiver, tears threatening. “He’s been so stubborn, asking me to tell Mom and Dad he’s sorry he died. Can you remove the bullet now?”

“I’ll do it on the plane. Let’s load him up, guys. We’ll use the stretcher Niki made.” Max opened his eyes, clearly in pain. I administered a painkiller, started him on IV fluids for dehydration, and gave him an antibiotic drip. Once the pain medication took effect, I made an incision to drain the infection.

“He screamed every time I touched his side,” Niki said.

“I understand. I was shot in the side once and lay in the mud for days until my team found me. When they touched me, it felt like a hot poker.”

“Yes, that’s how I feel. Thanks for the shot. I’m ready for that plane ride,” Max said before falling asleep.

We placed Max in the jeep without waking him. River held onto him as we sped to the plane. Once aboard, I prepared him for surgery. Six hours into the flight, with Raven’s assistance, I completed the procedure. I sensed Niki in the background, observing everything.

“How is he?” she asked when it was over.

“We have to wait and pray. But if you want my opinion, I think he’ll be fine in a few weeks. He’ll sleep for a while. Why don’t you get some rest?”

“Okay,” she murmured before her eyes closed.

“She must have been through hell, alone with her brother, refusing to let him die. Her yelling at him probably kept him alive,” I said to Raven and Gage.

“You should get some rest, too. I’ll relieve River,” Gage said.

I didn’t argue. I sat down, reclined my seat, and fell asleep. When I woke, Niki was talking to her brother.

“I swear, Max, if you ever tell me to say goodbye to Mom and Dad again, I’ll kill you myself. I told you I wouldn’t let you die,” she said, hugging him. “Damn, brother, you need a bath.”

“Hey, if the shoe fits. Have you called our family?” Max asked.

“I called Uncle Michael; he told Mom and Dad. They’ll meet us at the airport in Germany, where you’ll go to the hospital. I can’t stay long; I have to report in. I’ve been gone too long.”

“I wish you could take a month off work. Niki, how can I ever thank you for treating me so mean and not letting me die? That hair is so ugly. Why are you wearing it?”

“I was in disguise. I think I’ll stay in disguise longer, so don’t say anything about it.”

“I’m sure you have a reason, so I won’t say anything. I can’t wait to get home. I’m going to retire from the Navy SEALs and see if any of my buddies want to start something like the Golden Team.”

“Mom and Dad will be so happy. Maybe I’ll help you out when I have free time.”

“It’s for Navy SEALs, not FBI agents. But you can hang out with us anytime. Will you be coming home to the winery?”

“I wish I could, but I have to check in with Joseph. I told him I’d be gone two weeks; it’s been a month. I’m not sure I even have a job.”

“Then come work at the winery for a month. I want to spend time with you.”

“Then come to Santa Barbara and visit me. I have a home there. I can’t be at the winery all the time. Jeez, I’m twenty-seven.”

“I know how old you are because I’m twenty-seven, too. Remember, I was born before you, so I’m your older brother. I have to take care of you,” Max said.

We both laughed. Max had told me that so many times. His eyes were closing when I returned to my seat.

Max and I met when we were seven; he’s my half-brother. We’ve been apart since Max joined the Navy SEALs, and that first month was the hardest. That happens with siblings. We all have our own lives. Over time, it got easier, and we talked often unless he was on a mission. This isn’t the first time Max has been shot, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

“Are you hungry?” Lyon asked, holding two sandwiches. He handed me one and sat down to eat the other.

“I’m starving. Thank you.”

“How are you doing?”

“I’m good. Thank you for saving Max; he’s the best brother there is.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad we got there when we did. He’ll be fine. It must have been horrible staying in that tunnel, waiting for someone to come and get you. I would have taken you home if I knew you were there.”

“I know. How are you doing? You guys have been busy. I bet your wife will be happy to see you.”

“I’m not married.”

“Then your girlfriend.”

“Are you asking if I’m involved with someone?”

“No, just making an observation,” I said.

“I’m not involved with anyone,” I said, smiling.

“Neither am I. I was. I mean, he was more serious than I was. I didn’t know that until he asked me to quit my job. That’s when I realized he was more than serious; he asked me to marry him. I hated hurting him, but I never told him I loved him. I loved him, but not as a husband.”

“That must have been hard for both of you.”

I’m sorry. God, sometimes I need a button to shut me up. Ignore everything I said. I’ll eat my food now.”

I watched the red creep up her neck to her face. I thought she was beautiful, even if she had the same clothes she’d had on for three weeks.

“Tell me about your job. What do you do?” I asked.

“I’m an FBI Special Agent.”

“Oh, yeah? What do you do on your job?”

“I’m undercover most of the time.”

“Undercover with who?”

“What do you mean? You know I’m not allowed to discuss my undercover assignments.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” I said.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t, but I still can’t discuss my work.”

“Okay, I won’t ask anymore—for now. Can I take you to dinner when this is over?”

“You don’t even know where I live,” Niki said.

“I don’t care where you live; I won’t be late. Where do you live?”

“Santa Barbara.”

“I live in Carlsbad, California. We’re not too far apart. How about I pick you up next Friday? We’ll go to dinner. It’ll be fun.”

“I’d love to go to dinner with you.”

“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“You’ll need her address,” Raven said from behind us.

We both chuckled, and then Max spoke up. “Her home is easy to find; she lives in the hills on a horse ranch.”

“Do you have horses?” I asked.

“Yes, I have beautiful horses. I breed them.”

“I don’t know anything about horses,” I admitted.

“That’s okay. You don’t need to know about horses to take me out,” she said.

I smiled. “That’s a relief.”

We both laughed.

“Give him the address,” Max insisted.

“Jeez, my brother and your friend are so nosy. Can’t they pretend not to hear us?”

“You’d think so. Raven’s always been this way.”

“So has Max. He’s always butted into my business,” Niki said. “But I’m glad I have my brother to butt in because I love him.”

“Did everyone hear that? You’re my witnesses when I butt into her business,” Max said. “I love you too, Sis.”

“Buckle up. We’re landing at the German airport,” Gage announced.

“Remember to give me your address,” I reminded her.

“Give me your phone,” Niki said. I handed it over, and she added her number. “Call me,” she said.

When we landed, a man and woman rushed onto the plane. “That’s our parents. They thought Max was dead, so I’m sure they’ll start crying.” EMTs followed them inside. Mom looked at me, then did a double-take before leaning down to kiss Max.

“Max, we love you so much. Thank God Niki didn’t believe you were dead and ignored everyone to find you. I’m sorry for yelling at you, Niki.”

“Mom, you didn’t yell at me.”

“Yes, I did. You just didn’t hear me.”

Michael came over and hugged me. “Uncle Michael, Uncle Chris, Dad, Mom—this is Lyon Spenser. He operated on Max earlier. We need to get Max to the hospital,” Niki said.

“Yes,” her mom agreed. Max was loaded onto a gurney and rushed off the plane.

“Niki, I’ll see you Friday,” I said. I walked over, leaned down, and kissed her. She slipped her arms around me and kissed me back.

“Niki, are you coming?” Michael called from the door.

I lifted my head, and she smiled. “See you Friday.” Then she was gone.