Page 31

31

Raven

I sat back on the plane and closed my eyes.

We were taking the guys to the base, and then we’d be headed home.

It had been six weeks since I’d seen Beatrice, and the ache in my chest hadn’t eased once.

I knew one thing: I missed her more than I’ve ever missed anyone. I hoped she still wanted me, now that she knew my job took me away sometimes for weeks at a time

She had to—because I wasn’t going to let her slip away.

I loved her.

And I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

* * *

I woke when the wheels hit the runway.

As we walked off the plane, a group of SEALs was there to collect us.

It brought back a wave of memories—coming in from ops, the air still thick with adrenaline and dust.

Now we were the Golden Team.

We chose our missions. We chose who we saved.

* * *

I cut the engine of my truck and sat in silence, my heart hammering in my chest.

Six weeks.

The dim neon glow of the firehouse sign washed across the windshield as I stared at it, barely breathing.

I’d driven here the second my boots hit American soil. The dust of the mission was still on my gear, but I didn’t care.

All I could think about was her.

Her smile.

Those fierce, firelit eyes.

The feel of her in my arms.

Tonight, I was home. And I was going to tell her exactly what she meant to me.

* * *

But something felt wrong.

The firehouse doors were open. Two firefighters stood just outside, arms crossed under the streetlight's amber glow.

No laughter. No joking. No music.

Just tension.

An uneasy prickle ran up my spine. I slammed my truck door and walked toward them, my duffel forgotten.

“Raven!” Mark called when he spotted me. There was relief in his eyes, but it was edged with worry.

I didn’t stop. “Where is she?” I asked, voice tight.

Mark exhaled. “She’s not here. She went to County General. There was… an incident. Kidnapping. Two kids. We rescued them a few hours ago.”

Kidnapping?

My gut twisted.

“Is she okay?” I demanded.

“She’s fine. Just exhausted. She insisted on staying with the kids at the hospital. Didn’t want to leave their side.”

He added lower, “One of the kidnappers got away. Cops are searching. We’re all on edge.”

Every muscle in my body went taut.

A kidnapper on the loose—and Beatrice with the only witnesses?

“I’m heading there now.”

Mark gave a firm nod. “Go. She’ll be glad you’re back.”

* * *

The drive to County General blurred past in streaks of light and blood in my ears.

I gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles ached.

She’s safe. She’s not alone. Tag and Gage are there. But still…

The thought of a desperate man lurking in the shadows, waiting to grab those kids, his only witness.

No.

Not on my watch.

* * *

I parked crooked in front of the hospital, engine still rumbling, and leapt out.

Tag and Gage were sitting outside a room near the pediatric wing. Both stood as soon as they saw me.

“She inside?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Tag nodded. “With Mandy and the kids. She wouldn’t leave. Said they’d be scared without her.”

“How’d she get Mandy in here?”

“Told them she was a rescue dog. Said she saved the kids. They let her stay, as long as she stays in that room.”

Gage added, “The guy who got away—we think he’ll try to get to the kids. They’re the only ones who saw his face.”

* * *

I turned toward the glass door.

Beatrice stood at the bedside of two small children.

Her back to me. Her hair messy, half-unraveled from a braid. A soot smear across her cheek.

She wore a navy fire department T-shirt under a wrinkled flannel—borrowed or thrown on in haste.

I could see the exhaustion in her, but she was still alert.

She was always ready.

One child was curled into the other. Beatrice stroked the smaller one’s hair.

A fierce. Gentle. Protector.

That’s my girl.

I stepped into the doorway. Mandy raised her head.

“Beatrice,” I said softly.

She turned. Her eyes widened.

And then she saw me.

“Raven?” she breathed.

In two long strides, she was in my arms.

* * *

I held her. Crushed her against me.

God, she felt good—warm, real, alive.

I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the lavender and vanilla scent that had haunted me for weeks.

She was shaking.

“I can’t believe you’re really here,” she whispered, voice thick. “I missed you so much. Mandy’s a hero—there’s so much to tell you.”

My throat ached. I pressed my lips to her temple.

“I missed you too,” I said roughly. “More than anything.”

She pulled back, just enough to see my face. Tears sparkled in her eyes.

“Six weeks,” I murmured, brushing a clean path through the soot on her cheek. “Felt like six years.”

She gave a wet laugh. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

Her hand cupped my face. Her thumb traced my jaw. “Are you hurt? How did it go?”

“I’m fine. The mission’s done. I came straight back.”

I gently curled a strand of her hair around my finger. “There’s something I need to tell y—”

A soft whimper interrupted us.

* * *

One of the children stirred. The older one—a boy—sat up, blinking at me and Mandy.

Beatrice was instantly by his side. “It’s okay,” she soothed. “This is Raven. He’s my friend. Mandy’s with us.”

Mandy stepped forward, tail wagging. The boy’s fear faded into recognition. He reached out and stroked her head.

The younger child, a girl, still slept, clutching a teddy bear.

I rested a hand on Beatrice’s back. “Are they okay?”

She nodded. “Physically, yes. Scared. Tied up in a burning apartment. We found them just in time.”

Her jaw clenched. “One of the bastards is dead.”

“And the other?”

“Gone. He may be the ringleader of a bigger operation. We’ve been on edge since the rescue.”

She didn’t stop stroking the boy’s hair.

“I couldn’t leave them. Not tonight. They needed someone here.”

I squeezed her shoulder. “Of course. That’s why I love you.”

Her tired smile said it all. Even exhausted, she stood strong.

Mandy gave a soft woof. The boy smiled again, eyes closing.

* * *

“I can stay,” I said quietly. “You need rest.”

Before she could answer—

“Code Pink. Pediatric Wing. Code Pink.”

The hospital alarm blared through the intercom.

My blood ran cold.

Code Pink: Child abduction in progress.

* * *

Lights dimmed further. Automatic locks clicked into place.

“Secure all exits. Code Pink, in effect,” a recorded voice repeated overhead.

Down the hall, a nurse jumped to her feet. The corridor echoed with the soft thud of doors shutting.

Beatrice turned to the kids. “It’s okay. Stay in bed. I’m right here.”

The boy jolted upright, wide-eyed, but she soothed him gently.

I stepped into the hallway and scanned both directions.

Tag and Gage were already moving.

I shut the door and twisted the lock. It wasn’t much—but it was something.

Beatrice stood beside me. Her face was pale but calm.

“He’s here,” she whispered. “That monster came back.”

“He won’t get anywhere near the kids,” I growled.

My hand found the small of her back.

“Don’t worry, I’m here with you.”

She wasn’t hiding behind me.

She was ready for whoever showed up.

Mandy stood, tense. Ears pricked. A low growl in her throat.

“What is it, girl?” I whispered.

She stared at the door, one paw forward, the hair on the back of her neck standing up.

“Someone’s out there,” Beatrice said, voice like steel.

She pressed her ear to the door.

I joined her.

Every nerve in me locked into place, waiting for the next sound.

Waiting for the next move.