Page 6 of Pierre (Voodoo Guardians #40)

“It’s been non-stop since we arrived,” said Judy. “Infected cuts, diarrhea, pustules, boils, vaccinations, it never ends.”

“That’s why we’re here,” said Ambry. The other woman looked at her, nodding.

“How are you so young and already a nurse?”

“I finished school early,” she said. “I was very focused. One day, I hope to return to my family’s business and work there.” The woman didn’t say anything, just nodding. They were standing on deck, leaning against the railings.

“It’s quiet tonight. Too quiet,” said Elliott, walking up behind them. “It’s always noisy down here, people selling things, trying to board ships just to get away, or stowaway. There’s no noise.”

“He’s right,” frowned Ambry.

“We hear it too,” said the captain. “I’ve got men walking the docks. I don’t think they can approach the ship, but it might happen just outside the docks.”

“What might happen?” asked Judy.

“I don’t…”

He never finished the statement as fire and pieces of metal and wood filled the sky. There was one large explosion, then several small ones, sending people screaming into the street.

“Shit!” yelled Ambry.

They heard the horns going off on the ship and ran toward the bays to gather their gear. Each nurse was assigned two security guards, although Ambry knew that two might not be enough. All her days of running ensured that she was in great shape and ready for whatever came her way.

Handing backpacks with supplies to the two sailors, the three of them were the first to leave the ship and head toward the gates.

“What happened?” she asked a man leaning over a body.

“Propane tanks exploded,” he said, looking up at her. His face was burned, his own body covered in blood as he attempted to help the young man on the ground.

As the other medical teams arrived, Ambry worked her way from one person to the next.

“I need this man taken to the ship!” she called out.

“We’ll take him,” said the voice behind.

It was a voice she was all too familiar with. Turning slowly, she smiled, then erased the smile, knowing that she couldn’t let others know they knew one another.

“Th-thank you,” she said, nodding at Pierre. “I think he’s the last of those that need to be on the ship.”

“Go, Ambry,” said Elliott, working next to Judy. “Get those on the ship settled and stabilized. We’ll finish with the minor wounds here.”

She nodded, following the four men who were carrying her patient. When they reached the deck, security offered to take the patient.

“They’re okay,” said Ambry.

“Ma’am, I cannot let unknown civilians on the ship,” said the young man. Pierre leaned forward, whispering in the man’s ear. He pulled back, staring up at him, and nodded.

With more than a dozen seriously injured patients, Ambry was running from one to the next. She didn’t have time to turn and speak to Pierre. He was standing in the doorway, watching her every move.

Hours later, when she was exhausted, thirsty, and hungry, a dark hand slid a tray in front of her. She turned, looking up at him, and threw herself in his arms.

“Pierre,” she said in a cracked voice. She never cried after a trauma, never. But there was something about all of this that made her emotions overrun her body.

“It’s okay, baby. You were fucking amazing in there.”

“I’ve missed you so much,” she said quietly. He nodded.

“Me too.”

“I can’t believe you’re here. Why are you here?” she asked, pulling back to wipe her tears. He grinned at her, leaning down to kiss her sweetly.

“I’d love to tell you it was to see you, but I won’t lie,” he chuckled. “We’re here to figure out what’s happening with missing children.”

“We’ve heard that,” she said, nodding and pointing to a sofa in the nurses’ lounge. Behind him, five men walked through.

“Oh, Ambry. These are my teammates. Butch, Winslow, Conn, Tucker, and Fish. Guys, this is Ambry.”

“Is she the one?” smirked Butch. Ambry laughed, shaking her head.

“I’d better be,” she smiled. “I love him too much to let him go.”

“Well, he’s one fucking lucky asshole,” said Tucker. “Forgive the language, ma’am.”

“No need.” A few nurses walked in, and of course, one of them had to be Judy. “These are my fellow nurses, Elliott, Judy, and Fatima. Guys, this is my boyfriend, Pierre, and his, uh, friends.”

The group introduced themselves and took a seat, waiting to hear if they would be needed for any surgeries.

“Well, it looks like I have some folks to thank for all the help,” said Marjorie. Ambry started to stand and explain, but the woman held up a hand. “The captain explained it all. They can stay.”

“Are we needed?” asked Judy.

“No. You all did amazing work out there. We lost two of them, but their injuries were severe. Get a shower and some sleep. I have the other crew on now.”

“Sirs, Captain has bunks available for you,” said one of the crew, peeking his head in the room.

“Sirs?” frowned Elliott.

“Uh, yeah. We’re all retired military. We’re now with an engineering firm working in Haiti,” said Conn. Elliott stared at him, then shook his head.

“Whatever, dude. We get it. I’m going to hit the showers, then the rack. In that order. Goodnight.”

They waved at him, and a short while later, Pierre and Ambry found themselves alone.

“Come on,” she said, standing, holding out her hand.

“Is this going to be okay?” he asked.

“Probably not, but I really don’t care anymore. I just need to be held by you. I’ll deal with the consequences tomorrow.”