“I’m going in. They’re either in trouble or need help. I’m not losing two more of our brothers,” Taco said.
Shadow put a hand on his chest. “We feel the same way, but we have to think smart.”
As they started to leave, they heard Patch.
“I’m kicking your fucking ass,” he growled at Cole.
“He had it coming,” Cole hissed.
Taco and Shadow ran toward them, ready to aid them. Taco gently picked up Ice and laid him at Sparky’s feet, and Shadow helped Cole inside while Patch threw a bag inside the back of the truck, and they took off down the dirt road.
Saint drove where they left the plane. After loading the injured, Patch examined each of them. Then he called for Hollywood.
“I’m fine,” he gritted out.
“You’re holding your damn ear. Shut up and get over here,” Patch ordered.
Hollywood sat down as Patch checked out his implant. “You have minimal bleeding. You’ll need to go back with them,” he said softly. “Before you argue, listen to me. You have first aid training. Sparky can’t see to tend to Cole, Knight, or Sergeant Taylor. Cole can tell you what to do for Ice. He stole a bunch of supplies from the vet room.”
“Leo saved me. I’m not leaving him out there,” Hollywood refused.
Patch grabbed his arm. “I need you to reach Kassie and Chase as soon as the plane lands. You’ll need to tell them and let them inform Catherine. Then, we need you to bring back supplies. Welost a bunch when they searched the barracks. Saint’s making a list right now.”
“Why can’t Sparky tell them?” he asked.
Patch pinched his nose. “Do you see Shadow, Taco, and Saint? They’re the original brothers who built this team. They won’t leave Leo behind. I don’t want Catherine to see Knight and Cole. Since I got hired first, I’m pulling rank. Someone has to stay here with these assholes and patch them up when they get their asses shot.”
“I’m putting some numbing drops in your ear and some cotton. Reapply it when you’re in the air. Take care of our team,” Patch said, punching him in the shoulder.
“I’m coming back with Apollo,” Liam vowed.
“I didn’t expect any less,” Patch said as he stuffed the cotton in his ear and patted his shoulder.
Saint stood. “Listen up. We didn’t fail. Today might’ve turned out worse if Sparky hadn’t alerted Leo when she did. Our brother did what he has trained all of us to do. We won’t leave our man behind. One way or another,” Saint paused as his voice cracked. “We’ll bring our brother home.”
CHAPTER 34
When they madeit two hours from Seattle, Hollywood picked up his phone and dialed Doc’s number.
“Hey, Liam. I’m hoping you’re calling me with good news.”
Glancing back at his teammates, he replied, “Doc, we’ll be at the private airfield in two hours. We need medical attention, and I need you and Kassie to come alone.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment before Doc spoke again.
“Tell me what you need,” he ordered.
“Knight has a GSW to the leg. They operated on it, but we needed to leave. Cole has a shoulder wound and has run a fever for the past two hours. We need Jake, too. Ice took a bullet. Sparky’s banged up a bit, and we have another passenger named Kerrigan. They beat her badly, and she has a concussion. I’ve done everything Patch told me to do, but I’m not gonna lie. I’m worried.”
“We’ll be there when you land with back up. Where’s Leo?”
“The connection’s bad, Doc. Meet us there in two hours,” he said before hanging up.
Cole glanced over at Sparky. She never let go of Ice. “We’re almost there. Jake’s the best vet around. He’ll take care of him.”
“I’m counting on it,” she said quietly. “I’m leaving him with Jake while we go back for Leo.”
Hollywood hung his head. “You heard Saint. We don’t know what charges they’ll try to pin on you. It might be good for you to stay low right now.”
