Page 91 of Fighting for Family

“Sure,” she said, getting up out of her seat.

“I’ll go with you,” Cole volunteered. “I want to see your face when she tells you how she killed a bad-ass snake.”

“I think I’ll ride with them. Patch will provide inflight entertainment with Victoria.” Knight chuckled.

Patch and Knight moved Rayven to the other plane. When they shut the door, Shadow turned to his team.

“We’re ready to go,” he announced.

“Then, let’s get the hell out of here and go home,” Saint ordered.

The team took turns showering and cleaning up before they returned home. The planes landed long enough to refuel and take off again.

When things grew quiet, Leo turned his head to find Doc watching him.

“How long?” he asked.

“A little over four months,” he answered quietly.

“How’s Catherine? The kids?” he asked, touching his throat.

“You need to know a few things. Saint can go into the mission, but they found a lot of blood where you got shot. Too much to survive,” he said slowly.

“Wasn’t all mine,” Leo said raspily.

“We didn’t know. Catherine believes you’re dead. The team searched, and it seemed like you disappeared.

“Rayven. Tunnels,” Leo explained.

Doc handed him some ice chips. “This will help. The lawyer you hired visited the hospital and spoke with Whiskey, Kassie, and Catherine. Melody took it hard. They decided to hold a funeral for you to give her some closure. Catherine didn’t take the news well either. She’s lost weight, and Kassie stayed with her every night until a month ago. They honored your letters.”

“Whiskey?” Leo called to his friend as he came out of the bathroom.

“You never gave up on me. I wasn’t about to give up on you,” Whiskey said softly. “When you’re feeling better, we’ll discuss the facility. I’ve made a few changes, and we have a new team.”

“How are you?” Leo asked, concerned for his friend.

“I’m better. Now, I’ll get to ride your ass. You look like shit.”

Leo grunted. “I need to see Catherine. Don’t call.”

“They’re having your funeral today. Saint texted and said the plane got delayed. How do you want to handle it?” Doc asked.

“Take me home. I need to see her,” Leo demanded. “Please.”

“We’ll take you home and then straight to the hospital. I’ll set you up in the suite, and you can have them stay there when you want,” Doc bargained.

“Clean me up?” Leo asked, getting weaker.

“Rest. I’ll find something to fit you. When we get close, I’ll help you dress,” he promised.

“Amena. She’s a good doctor. You need her at the hospital,” Leo said as he lay back.

Glancing at Whiskey, Doc rose, giving the two men some time alone.

“You came for me,” Leo said.

“We never leave a man behind, especially our friends,” Whiskey said, winking at him. “When you see Catherine, it’ll come as a shock. She will think you’re the same man who left. You’ll never be him again. Don’t do as I did and push her away. Let her help you heal and listen to Claire. She’ll get your head screwed on straight. Whatever you do, don’t let your friends baby you. You’ll start to believe you can’t do things. It’s not true. You’re capable of doing whatever you want.”