Page 19

Chapter Eight

“What the… Son of a…”

Foster chuckled as he walked down the hallway, Mac’s hand in his as Chase’s voice echoed through the corridor, the expletives impossible to miss. It had been three hours since they’d arrived at the hospital, and they’d finally been given the green light to see Zain and Chase.

Atticus had shown up shortly after Foster had led Mac through the emergency doors, blowing into the place like the cyclone rattling the building.

Atticus had marched into the exam room, eyes wary.

Back straight. He hadn’t even needed to yell — he’d just glared at the intern until the man had all but bolted from the room.

Mac had talked her father off the ledge, but he’d given Foster a firm look that had clearly expressed his sentiment. Either Foster guarded Mac’s life like an order handed down from God, or Atticus would make Foster’s life a living hell.

Not that Foster needed the extra motivation.

Getting tossed off the Bronco after handing Chase to Kash — then having to swim along with the current in order to catch the vehicle before it disappeared for good — had made Foster acutely aware of how much he’d come to care about Mac.

How this was more than just lust with a side of loneliness.

That this was the start of the rest of his life.

Atticus had been halfway through his laundry list of questions when he’d been called out on another rescue. He’d begrudgingly left when Mac had all but tossed him out of the room, but not before giving Foster another stare down.

Mackenzie cringed at the next colorful quip echoing through the hallway. “Chase sounds… alert.”

Foster laughed again, some of his earlier tension easing.

All that fear that this would be a repeat of his last encounter in a hospital, with some of his buddies not making it out alive.

And with Rhett still lying in a bed — his mind lost to the trauma as they all waited to see if he’d ever come back to them — Foster knew things could still turn ugly.

Especially with Greer in surgery. “Whoever said doctors were the worst patients never treated a pararescue medic. Though, that’s largely because Chase is hands down the toughest son of a bitch I’ve ever met.

A few years back, he broke three ribs trying to rappel down this insane cliff to a wounded SEAL.

I couldn’t get remotely close to pick either of them up or provide any kind of support.

Chase still managed to drag the guy back up and carry him five miles to the extraction point. ”

“That explains a lot.”

“Just be prepared for him to use extreme tactics in an effort to get us to spring him loose.”

“Do I look like the kind of person who falls for puppy dog eyes or blackmail?”

“I guess it depends on who’s involved.”

He stopped at the doorway, giving her a once-over.

He’d snagged some of the spare clothes he’d had stashed in his truck and given her one of his sweatshirts to go with the scrubs the hospital had provided.

And damn if she didn’t look like sin wearing it.

“Are you sure you’re okay? That doctor barely examined you. ”

Mac shook her head. “That’s because I’m fine. Though, I’m not sure why you expected him to hang around when you just stood there, growling.”

“I wasn’t growling. I was letting him know I wasn’t impressed with his lack of enthusiasm. How am I supposed to be sure your head’s not going to explode later? Or that the gash across your ribs won’t get infected?”

“It’s a minor bump, and definitely not the first I’ve ever had. And he gave me more antibiotic cream. Though, it’s hardly a gash.” She pointed to his forehead. “That’s a gash. This is just a scratch.”

“Really sweetheart? Because if it was any larger, we’d have to give it a name.”

A hint of blush crept into her cheeks. What he hoped was a reaction to him using the endearment, again, and not because she was suddenly spiking a fever. Another symptom that reckless intern had obviously missed.

Mac snapped her fingers in front of his face, frowning. “I don’t think my state of mind is the one we need to worry about. How many fingers?”

Foster cupped her hand and held it against his chest, hoping she didn’t notice how the simple touch sped up his heart until it was pounding against her palm. “Three. And I was just thinking.”

“About how you lied? Because I swear that other doctor didn’t even shine a light in your eyes to see if you’d been compromised.”

“That’s because she knew I was fine.”

“Or because you simply stood there, giving her your death glare until she caved and left.”

“My death glare?”

“Don’t play dumb. I’ve been watching, and you all have it. Chase gives it to rescue victims if they try to make the situation more dangerous. Kash and Zain are less discriminating and flash it at anyone they deem as a threat.”

She ’ d been watching?

Foster leaned in, loving how her breath caught as her mouth twitched at the corner. “And when do I give this mysterious death glare?”

“When someone stands between you and your team. Which is why you gave it to both those doctors. You didn’t want either of them to delay this reunion.”

“You realize that your logic implies you’re part of my team.”

“Is that what I am? A teammate?”

He reached up and tucked some strands behind her ear. “You’re something. I’m just not sure what, yet.”

“Maybe if your buddies can stay out of danger for more than a few hours, you might find out.” She waved at the doorway. “After you.”

Foster glanced at the door then back to her, all that heat and confusion from earlier returning. How he’d been lost the moment she’d walked into his home. And he couldn’t help but wonder if their next kiss would be just as explosive. If she’d taste just as wild.

He could find out. He was already leaning in.

All he needed was to move a few inches closer — tilt his head — and his mouth would be over hers.

Though, between the adrenaline from the recuse — nearly losing her in that damn Bronco — he wasn’t convinced he could stop at one kiss. A week’s worth didn’t seem like enough.

Mackenzie sighed, as if she’d read his mind. Knew he was torn between wanting to talk to Chase and Zain and wanting to pick up where they’d left off. Not that it was an option in the middle of the hospital, but he knew it was written across his face. Probably tattooed on his forehead.

She palmed his cheek like she’d done back at his place. “Earlier wasn’t a one-off for me, either. If that helps with your indecision.”

“Maybe I’m just enjoying the view for a few moments before I have to face reality, again. Acknowledge that someone tried to kill Zain, Chase and Greer. And that it’s likely my fault for asking her to dig deeper.”

“Even if that’s why she got hurt, it’s not your fault.

She’s a cop and an ex-fed. And not to absolve you of any guilt because who really needs a reason to self-blame, but even if you’d told her you’d uncover the intel by other means, she would have dug deeper.

That’s who she is, and she doesn’t take anyone threatening her friends lightly, either. ”

“So, we’re all friends now?”

“That’s kinda how it works. Friends by association. And it’s a good thing, Beckett, in case you were having doubts. Now, are we going to hear what Zain and Chase have to say or just stand out here until they march their asses out against doctor’s orders?”

Foster smiled. “I’m starting to think that you’re really just a pain in my ass.”

“Sounds like I’m doing everything right, then.”

“More than you know.” He straightened, pushing all that heat and unfamiliar emotion down until he’d locked them away. Or at least, curbed them enough his team wouldn’t call him on them the minute he walked through the door.

Mackenzie giggled, schooling her features when he arched a brow at her, before sliding her hand over his. An obvious declaration that there was something brewing between them, as she’d phrased it. And that she didn’t care who knew.

“Foster! About damn time.” Chase waved him over with his right hand. “What’s up with Greer? No one will tell me what the hell’s going on. Is she okay? Is there a guard outside her door? Do I need?—”

“Whoa, slow down.”

“Then, start talking.” Chase paled. “God, she isn’t?—”

“As of ten minutes ago, she was still in surgery. The doctors said she broke several ribs and that the splinters from them caused some limited internal bleeding and a collapsed lung. But they promised to grab Mackenzie as soon as Greer was in recovery. And they said it looked promising.”

“Internal bleeding and a collapsed lung is not promising. Shit.” He speared his right hand through his hair. “I need pants.”

Foster glanced at Kash when the man shook his head, blocking Chase from swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “Why on earth would you need pants?”

Chase glared at Kash. “So, I don’t flash my ass to everyone as I walk out of here and over to the sheriff’s station to beat some intel out of her fucking colleagues.”

Zain grunted as he levered up and tossed the blankets aside. “Hell yeah. If Chase is breaking ranks, then so am I. Especially if it means getting some payback.”

“Jesus would you both just stop for a minute?” Foster moved between the twin beds, ready to pounce on whoever’s feet hit the floor, first. “No one is going anywhere until someone explains why you want to start a war with the sheriff’s office.”

Zain snorted, nearly tumbling out of the bed before Kash caught him. “I don’t know. But if Chase is going, I’m backing him up.”

Foster sighed, staring at Kash. “He already took his meds, didn’t he?”

Kash merely nodded. “And they’re kicking in right on schedule.”

“I’m fine.” Zain grinned, motioning Foster closer. “But I do have something I need to tell you.”

Foster arched a brow. “What’s that?”

“I love you, brother.”

“Thanks for the tip.” Foster focused on Chase. “Assuming you’re not as high as Major Tom , here, why don’t you start at the beginning.”