“Charlie Two, Charlie Five. Sniper spot found. Charlie Three is in pursuit.” Xander rapid fired the update.
“Copy. Retrieving Charlie One and Raven.” Rafe opened the door. “Raven, get ready.”
“Hurry.” She wanted Liam off her so she could breathe, but more than that, he required medical attention, now.
“Charlie Five, Charlie Two and Raven moving.”
“You’re covered. Go.”
“Okay, Raven. On one, I’m grabbing Charlie One and dragging him inside. Follow, but keep low. Crawl on your belly if you can.” Rafe edged the door open wider. “Three. Two. One.” He rushed out, flipped Liam to his back, and dragged him across the porch and into the house.
No way could Jade stay on her belly. She struggled to her hands and knees and pressed one hand to her ribs. Staying low, she scrambled inside and slammed the door shut. Landing on her backside, she sucked in precious oxygen. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Working on it.” Even with the bulletproof glass, Rafe stayed low and retrieved the medical duffel. He unzipped it and dug out supplies. “Charlie Five, I could use your help.”
“Copy that. On my way,”
If Rafe required the team medic, Liam’s injuries had to be bad.
“Charlie Four, take over,” Xander commanded.
“Copy that. Changing to Overwatch.” Boone snapped his response.
“Rafe, what’s wrong with him?” Jade stumbled over and sat beside Liam’s unmoving body. She dragged her gaze from his feet to his head. Blood covered his face and hair. She searchedfor the source. Her heart rate spiked when she found the source. A stream of crimson flowed from a gash at his temple.
The door swung open, and Rafe drew his gun faster than she thought possible.
Xander’s hands flew up. “Don’t shoot the help.”
“Get over here.” Rafe secured his weapon but kept it close. “I’ll get wet towels to clean up the mess so you can see.”
Xander nodded, dropped beside Liam, and began assessing his injuries.
Jade stayed quiet while the man worked. Her heart was breaking. She couldn’t lose the man who’d spilled his secrets to her.
“Here.” Rafe handed Xander several wet towels, and the two of them cleaned up the bloody mess on Liam’s face and neck.
“Bullet groove to the right temple. Rafe, get me a syringe with saline and the emergency laceration closures.”
“On it.” Rafe searched the medical kit.
Xander glanced up and met her gaze. “He’s got a two-inch gash on the side of his head, close to his eye. I’m cleaning it and closing it with field sutures. Not sure why he’s sleeping on the job, but I’ll tackle that issue when he’s no longer bleeding on me.”
The easy words flowed from the man’s mouth, but Jade’s heart had jumped to her throat and hadn’t left. Rafe returned, and she silently watched the men work. Dax and Boone’s chatter continued in her ear about the search for the gunman. But she had no doubt they were listening to updates on their leader.
She laced her fingers with Liam’s while Xander continued treating the man who’d stolen her heart after the first mission they’d worked together. His kindness and concern for his men had touched her. Now she knew where the dedication had come from.
“He loves you guys. You know that, right?” She’d never tell his secrets, but his team should know about his devotion to them.
“It’s okay, Raven. We heard him tell you why he’s so demanding.” Rafe moved to the window, weapon at the ready.
She sucked in a breath. “You were listening? How?”
Xander and Rafe exchanged a look.
“What? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Well…um…your comm wasn’t muted. We could hear you talking.” Xander looked guilty.
