“It’s not like they don’t know where I’ll be,” she argued. “They can arrest me here as well as there, and Leo took me to translate and tell them about the village. I only rode along because of Ice and Kerrigan saved my life. If you leave without me, Hollywood, I will pound you to the ground.”
“She’ll do it, too,” Cole agreed. “She nearly sent me puking, and my head throbbed for hours. How’s Knight?”
“I gave him the shot like Patch told me. He went back out. I’ve checked his pulse, and he’s not running a fever,” Hollywood reported. “Has the acetaminophen kicked in yet?”
“Not yet, and my head hurts. Leo still must have his radio. Why hasn’t he reached out?” he asked. “I’ve gone over it a million times.”
“We all have. We may never know the answer,” Hollywood replied. “I’m having Doc check my ear and then heading right back. Sparky, I want you checked out before we go. You have a huge bruise around your neck.”
“Hayworth tried choking me,” she confided. “Leo taught me how to get out. He can’t be dead. Poor Catherine,” she cried quietly.
“We’re not giving up,” Hollywood said.
The plane descended, and he saw the vehicles waiting at the end of the runway. Doc went all out when he called for backup.
As soon as they stopped, he opened the door, and Chase ran up the stairs and scanned the occupants. Jake brought a gurney for Ice. “How about we get him off first, and Kassie can help Sparky down. Then, Hollywood, you help Cole off. Then we’ll take Knight and Kerrigan.”
“You got it, Doc,” Hollywood said as Jake and Ivan entered the plane with a makeshift cot.
Jake saw the injured dog and Sparky clinging to him for dear life. “It’s all right, sweetheart,” he said. “I’ll take good care of him.”
“He hasn’t moved since we left. He’s too still,” she said as a tear ran down her cheek.
“Sometimes, it’s better for the wound to keep them heavily sedated,” he explained gently. “I’m lifting him off you with Ivan’s help, and I’m taking him to my house for a good examination. When I finish, I’ll let you know how he’s doing.”
“All right,” she said, blowing out a breath.
The two men took the dog off the plane, and Kassie appeared, teary-eyed. “Sparky,” she said softly. The two women hugged tightly, and Kassie ushered her off the plane.
Hollywood helped Cole off while Chase took Knight’s vitals and gave orders to his crew. Then he checked Kerrigan.
“Take her straight to radiology for a CT scan. Set up a trauma room for Knight and Kerrigan. Bear already pulled the hospital records from surgery. When did you give him the last pain medication?” Doc asked Hollywood as they loaded into the vehicles.
“Four hours ago,” he informed him.
“Ride with us and tell us everything,” Doc ordered, pointing to the SUV Kassie helped Sparky into.
As soon as Doc started the engine and put the car in drive, Kassie peppered him with questions. “Where’s Leo? What about the rest of the team? Do you know if they sexually assaulted the woman?”
“They beat her after they took us to jail. They held us for shooting four soldiers, but they broke into the barracks. We didn’t have a choice. During the scuffle, Ice got shot. I alerted Leo they set a trap,” Sparky told her.
“After the attack, we lost Leo. We searched until nightfall and retrieved our wounded. They’re searching for him at first light. We found a puddle of blood and assumed he got wounded. There’s no sign of him,” he broke the news.
Kassie picked up her phone and called Victoria. “Leo’s injured and missing. We need men.” She listened to Victoria and then hung up. “She and Ivan will leave within the hour. We’re taking in Nick until they return.”
Doc held his wife’s hand. Liam watched as the two exchanged worried glances.
“Where’s Catherine?” Doc asked her.
“I sent her home early today,” Kassie said. “We’ll keep everyone in one area until we know more. At least she won’t be there this evening.”
“Where’s Addy?” Hollywood asked.
“She covered a shift last night. I gave her the day off. Do you want me to have her come to the ER?” Kassie asked.
“No. If you don’t mind checking my ear, I’ll ask for a ride to her house.
“Call Whiskey. He needs to know about Leo,” Chase said softly.
