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Luis lifted a brow, an angry smirk on his face. “Why do we need either of you?”
Suddenly, the entire warehouse was plunged into darkness.
The storm? Or the rangers? Either way, it was a chance at escape.
Sienna bolted to her feet, dragging Ruby with her. She pushed the young woman out of the line of fire as gunshots erupted.
TWENTY-SEVEN
The hospital waiting room was a bustle of activity. Ambulances pulled into the covered bay, rushing past with injured patients. More people waited in plastic seats to be seen by a doctor. A television played quietly in the corner. Eli, his clothes wet from the rain and spotted with his brother’s blood, sat in the corner. He held Sienna’s hand in his, but his gaze was locked on the doors leading to the interior part of the hospital.
Dalton was in surgery. He’d coded in the ambulance, according to reports Eli received when he arrived. No one knew if his brother would make it.
His leg jittered. “Waiting is the worst.”
“I know.” Sienna tucked her other hand in the crook of his elbow and leaned on his shoulder. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Or something to eat?”
“No.” He turned his head and kissed her forehead. Eli couldn’t imagine putting anything in his stomach. It was tied up in knots. But he appreciated the gesture, especially since she’d been through her own terrifying experience tonight. She and Ruby had survived the gunfight that transpired after Eli and his colleagues killed the electricity to the warehouse prior to storming it.
Dallas was dead. So was Tony Greer. Luis and Gideon, along with the rest of their cronies, survived and were currently sitting in the county jail. Crime scene investigators were combing through evidence at the warehouse and Fresh Start. It would take a while to put all the pieces together, but Eli doubted any of the men arrested tonight would ever see the outside of a prison cell when it was all said and done.
The sliding doors to the hospital swished open. Cole and Ryker hurried in, bringing with them a blast of cold air. Both men were damp from the rain and dirty from the raid on the warehouse. They caught sight of Eli and Sienna, beelining straight for them.
“Any news?” Cole asked. He sported a scuff on his chin from tackling Luis, and the leg on his pants was torn at the knee.
Eli shook his head. “Not yet.”
Ryker placed a reassuring hand on Eli’s shoulder. “Dalton’s strong and healthy. He’s also a fighter. Like his big brother. Goodness knows it takes more than a bullet to the gut to take down either of you guys.”
He stood and hugged his best friend. “Thanks.”
Cole hugged Eli as well. “The rest of Company A is on the way. And Grady’s wife initiated the prayer chain. You’ve got extended family and friends all praying for Dalton to pull through.”
Grady West was another one of their colleagues. His wife, Tara, had taken it upon herself to create a special group chat for prayers. More than one of the members of Company A had been injured in the line of duty. Over time, the prayer chain extended to family and close friends.
Eli was touched by the support of his teammates. Sienna’s family was also in the waiting room. Leila, Wyatt, and Landon had parked themselves in the chairs next to Sienna’s. He was surrounded by love. And community. It was all he’d ever wanted as a child, and despite the fear swirling his insides, Eli knew he was truly blessed.
A doctor pushed open the swinging door and entered the waiting room. “Hutchinson family?”
Eli’s heart skipped a beat even as he jumped forward. “That’s me.” Sienna caught up to him and he took her hand in his, welcoming the support and love she gave so willingly. “I’m Dalton’s brother.”
“The surgery went well. He lost a lot of blood, and it was touch and go there for a while, but he’s stable now. He needs to stay in the ICU for the next day or so, but barring any complications, he should make a full recovery.”
Eli sagged with relief. “Can I see him?”
“Not for a while. We’re still getting him settled. A nurse will come and get you in a bit.”
The next few minutes were a blur as the doctor told him more about the surgery and then his friends and Sienna’s family hugged him. Finally, he was able to have a moment with the woman he loved.
He pulled her into his arms and took his first deep breath since entering the warehouse to meet Jesse. “It’s all going to be okay.”
“Yes, it is.”
Their sweet moment was interrupted when Chief Ramirez and Lieutenant Rodriguez entered the waiting room. Eli stiffened at the grim looks on their faces. “Is Ruby okay?”
“She’s fine.” Vikki reassured him. “Or as well as she can be, considering she was kidnapped and held by Dallas for weeks. Ruby is an impressive young woman. She paid attention to everything and has helped to fill in the blanks of our investigation.”
The chief scraped a hand through his hair. “Turns out Dallas Redding wasn’t his real name. It’s Dallas Vega.”
