“You didn’t have to do that.” She blinked, tears turning her eyes luminescent.
“Yes. I did.”
She blinked. “We made it because of you.”
“You’re here.” He smiled. “That’s what matters.”
Jen exhaled, her lips trembling. She didn’t move away from his hand on her cheek—and fuck, it felt good there.
The radio crackled to life. “Lifeboat Alpha-seven. This is Coast Guard One-Nine-Zero-Nine. Do you copy?”
Wyatt bumped his forehead against hers—the same way he had in the water, but without acrylic between them. Just skin and warmth. He slid his hand to the back of her neck, pressing against the softness of her hair for a second. “I’ve got you.”
He pulled back and lifted the receiver. “Rescue One-Nine-Zero-nine, this is Alpha-Seven. We copy.”
“Holy fuck. Wyatt is that you?”
Wyatt closed his eyes. He shook his head and allowed himself an exhausted smile. “Ryder. You on medical?”
“Fuck, yes. Mom’s been worried out of her mind.” Static crackled. “Caleb owes me fifty bucks. I said you couldn’t stay out of trouble for a whole exercise.”
“I was on routine patrol.”
“And yet.” A pause. Ryder’s voice dropped to a more serious note. “You good, brother?”
Wyatt glanced at Jen. At Caro. To the rig in the distance where SEALs were moving deck by deck. Clearing and securing.
His thigh throbbed where the knife wound had been glued. His ribs ached. His head pounded from the free-fall impact, and he was blinking blood out of one eye.
But Jen was alive. Looking at him with an emotion in her eyes he couldn’t quite name.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “I’m good.”
“How many souls in that lifeboat with you?”
“Two. Minor injuries. We’re stable.”
“Copy that. Sit tight. We’ll have our best rescue swimmer to you in ten minutes.” Ryder’s voice carried a smile now.
“Caleb?”
“Of course.” Another pause. Static hissed. “And Wyatt? Soon as you hit dry land, call Mom.”
The radio clicked off.
Wyatt set the handset back in its cradle.
Jen stared at him. “You have brothers.”
“Two.” He climbed back into the pilot’s seat and checked their heading. “And a sister who keeps us all in line.”
“Family business?”
“Something like that.” He met her eyes. Held them. “Mom was glad when we all left the Navy. Thought the Coast Guard was safer.”
Caro made a strangled sound, clutching at her bandaged arm. “Yeah right. Death falls in lifeboats, bullets, flare guns to the face. Your mom must be thrilled.”
The corner of Wyatt’s mouth twitched.Don’t tell her that.But the words stuck in his throat.
