“Wait until I tell Avie you’ve never seen a sports bra before. She’ll laugh her ass off. Don’t worry, I promise not to stare at you. Help me put this on her. Hide her hair,” Sparky ordered. “Let’s move, gentlemen.”
“Hollywood and I have a tail. We’ll have to leave you on your own, Sparky. We’ll retrieve you when the coast clears. Shadow, make sure she’s tucked away and hidden.”
“Got it, boss,” Shadow said, handing her his hat.
Patch and Cole arrived as Sparky tucked Kerrigan’s brown hair under her cap, and they placed the shirt over her. Sparky wound up her hair, tucked it under Shadow’s hat, and put on his shirt.
“Patch, I need some gauze or something to give me some bulk,” she said as he assessed Sergeant Taylor.
“Toss her some rolls,” he said to Cole as he shone a light in his patient’s eyes.
Cole dug into the bag and passed Sparky the gauze packs. “I don’t need all those,” she said. “I’m trying to pass as Cole, not the rest of you.”
Sargeant Taylor snorted and coughed.
“Yeah, she’s a little firecracker,” Cole muttered.
“What’s the plan, Sparky?” Patch asked.
“You need to take her back. They left her for dead. They won’t expect her to come in the next few days. She’ll be missing. Leo will have to make the call once you assess her. Let them believe I suffered from heat exhaustion. When it gets dark, one of you can come get me. I prefer Hollywood. Apollo’s intimidating if we run into any trouble. I’ll resemble Cole, and they won’t think anything of it.”
“You’re making me sound like a wuss,” Cole said, defensively.
“I kicked your ass, didn’t I?” she teased. “I’ll see you back at the barracks, Sergeant Taylor. Patch will take good care of you.”
“All right, Sparky. It’s your turn,” Shadow said, approaching her. “We have to get you hidden. There aren’t many choices back here. You’ll have to get into the dumpster. It’s not scheduled for burning until tomorrow.
She let out a groan, and Shadow smiled. “Payback’s a bitch, huh? Wait till I tell Avie I put you in the garbage.”
She grinned. “Go ahead and tell Ty. He’ll wipe the smile from your face, and he won’t be making you a nice, juicy steak when you return.”
“You win. What happens here, stays here,” Shadow replied.
“We’ll cover you with a few boxes, but I’m gonna warn ya, it’s hot.”
“I’ll be fine,” Sparky replied. “Lift me.”
“Give her the water from my pack,” Patch ordered.
Shadow checked the bin and then lifted her inside. Cole handed her the water and then covered her with cardboard.
“We’ll get you out as soon as possible,” Shadow reassured her.
“Keep your coms on until we get Sparky secured. We’re close by if you need anything,” Leo said as Shadow and Patch walked out with the stretcher. Cole went around the base, ensuring when he reappeared later, no one would think anything of it.
The click in the mic let them know Sparky heard them as they walked away.
Hollywood turned to Leo. “Won’t they raise an alarm when she doesn’t show?”
“We’ll have to see. She took a great risk getting us the information. I’ll make sure she returns home safely,” Leo said. “Damn, I didn’t get to call Kit Kat back. She’ll already be in bed.”
“I’m sure she won’t mind if you wake her. We don’t know when we’ll get to talk to them if they strike tomorrow. I imagine there’ll be hell to pay,” Liam said as he set water in front of Apollo.
“She’s pregnant and dealing with my three little monsters. She needs all the rest she can get,” Leo said disappointedly. “I hate taking on these missions. Damn, I’m getting old. I’d rather sit outside watching my kids play on their playground than be in this sandbox.”
“I hear ya,” Hollywood said, thinking about Addy. After the incredible send-off, he anticipated returning to her. He hoped Leo gave them a few days to decompress because he didn’t plan on letting her leave his bed.
“We’re at the barracks,” Patch announced. “I’m examining her now.”
