Page 87 of Raven's Curse

“Foster…”

“Fine, while I would do that, I’m not in this case. Kash has been hovering outside the operating room getting constant updates.” Foster chuckled. “He looks more than a bit intimidating when he’s on a mission, especially with Nyx growling at his side. And they all know he’ll bust right in if provoked, so…”

Chase nodded. “How’s Buck?”

“Fine. He’s being treated for moderate hypothermia, but there shouldn’t be any lasting effects.”

“Buck really came through. We should help the guy out. The way he disarmed those bombs…”

“We’ll brainstorm some options. See if any strike a chord with him.”

“And Royce?”

Foster rolled his shoulder a few times as he shook out his right hand. “Zain and Saylor retrieved the body.”

“I can’t believe he did all this. Killed Rhett, Eli…” Chase swallowed, coughed. “Is Nick still heading this way?”

“Should be landing in a couple hours. Bodie’s picking him up. Why?”

“We need to talk. I’ve got a mission for him. And this time, we need a damn win.”

Pain.

Clawing at the darkness, eating away the numbing sensation until she managed to drag herself to the surface — open her eyes. Machines beeped in the background, a metallic voice echoing over speakers. Something cool dabbed her forehead, hazel eyes stared down at her when she let her head roll to the side.

Chase smiled, dipping down until he was level with her. “I definitely jinxed it.”

Greer grinned, hissing out her next breath when simply thinking about moving ricocheted pain through her chest.

More voices, footsteps tapping closer, then a warm sensation in her arm — everything fading back to black.

She drifted, a comforting weight holding her hand until she roused, again, the pain not quite as white-hot. She blinked, winced, then squinted at the room. Flowers and cards filled a table at the far end, way too many chairs cluttering the remaining space. A sigh sounded off to her right, Chase’s handsome face blurring into focus.

God he was gorgeous.

From his tousled hair to those brilliant hazel eyes, she knew she could stare at him forever and never tire. Never take for granted what she’d found.

He smiled, and her stomach fluttered. “Hey, beautiful. Welcome back.”

He squeezed her hand, dropped a gentle kiss on her temple.

She shook her head. Not a lot, but enough he paused, arched a brow. “More.”

“Still making me earn it, huh?” He leaned in, planted a soft kiss on her lips. Not much more than a brush of his skin over hers, but it meant everything. Eased the jumping feeling inside her chest.

She wet her lips, accepting the water he offered her. “Where…”

“Providence. You were moved from the ICU a couple days ago.”

“Couple?” She frowned, her head too thick to figure anything out. “How long?”

Christ, a couple words and everything derailed. Just stopped working, those shadows at the corners of her vision slowly creeping in.

“Four days, though, they said you’d likely be out for a full week.” He grinned. “They don’t know you like I do. But… it’s early. Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise?”

“Wild horses, sweetheart.”