“How? Did Liam not mute on purpose and didn’t tell me?” Jade’s irritation rose.
“No.” Rafe sighed. “Yourcomms were hot, not his.”
She blinked, processing the information.
“Knowing Liam, when he figured it out, he decided not to say anything.”
“So you know about me? About him?”
“Yes, to both. You’ve had a rough time of it, Raven. I’m sorry about that. And as for Liam, he chose to tell you about his past. One we didn’t know about. All the while, knowing we were listening.” Boone’s voice filled her ear.
“I suppose you’re right about him.” Jade’s eyes latched onto their joined hands. “But I’m not sure I wanted you to know about my past. I don’t want you all to think less of me.”
“Are you kidding?” “You’re the best, Raven.” “Why would you think that?” “Oh, please.” The men all spoke at once.
She couldn’t help but chuckle. That was the Charlie Team she knew and loved. “Fine, but if any of you treat me like glass, I’m leaving you to fend for yourselves during the next mission,” she huffed teasingly.
Xander grinned at her. “That’s our Raven. Snarky and bold.”
“By the way, we’re with Charlie One. You’ll always be Raven. Jade just doesn’t sound right.” Dax spoke for the team.
The comms quieted, and Jade refocused on Liam’s head injury. “Why isn’t he awake?”
Xander finished his suture job with the special field strips. “The gash isn’t bad, but my guess is the shockwave of the bullet either stunned or concussed his brain.”
That didn’t sound good. “But he’ll be all right?”
“Time will tell, but in my opinion, yes. He’ll be ordering us around in no time.” Xander placed a white square bandage over the cut. “There. Now we wait for Sleeping Beauty to rise. Rafe, help me get our fearless leader onto the couch.”
“Gotcha.” Rafe lifted Liam’s legs while Xander slid his hands under the man’s arms.
“Go.”
The men lifted Liam and grunted.
“Good heavens, he needs to go on a diet,” Rafe grumbled.
As if the man had an ounce of fat on his body. She knew from their previous conversations over the computer that the man worked out like a machine. Now, she understood why. Between his past and his present job, he wouldn’t allow his physical abilities to cause an issue.
Once they had Liam situated on the couch, she tossed a couple of pillows onto the floor and sat next to him.
Xander pushed the recliner closer. “If you won’t sit in it, use it as a back rest. Your ribs have to be killing you.”
“Thanks.” Her entire torso throbbed. She rested against the chair and took Liam’s hand in both of hers. “Liam, please wake up. I need you.” Well aware that the guys heard her, Jade didn’t care. Her only concern at the moment was the man lying unconscious on the couch.
Liam had taken a bullet meant for her, and she intended to stay by his side until he woke up.
Timber Ridge, Colorado – Safe House
Friday – 0900 Hours
Call Sign: Charlie One
Liam’s headpounded in time with his pulse. The throbbing pain cutting through his skull stirred his stomach. He willed down the bile crawling up his throat. Why did his head hurt so badly? His conversation with Raven rolled through his mind. The confessions. The moment he’d almost kissed her. The shot. The searing pain. His heart hammered against his breastbone. Raven. Had she been hit? Where was she?
He struggled to get to her, but his limbs felt as if he were wading through wet cement.
“Liam, calm down.” Xander's voice oozed through the fog. “You’re going to be fine.”
