Page 92 of Missing Marcus

Patch walked out of the hospital’s entrance with Knight hot on his heels. “My team didn’t ask me to transfer. I took the black ops job,” he spit out angrily.

The corpsman shook his head. “Your commander found you the black op. The team no longer wanted to work with you. Doc rushed Gabby’s bloodwork. Matthew has a lab analyzing the water from the bottles you left in the bathroom. They contained a tracker now sitting in the bottom of the trash can. The water was laced, asshole. When Wilkinson discovered you two walking around instead of dazed and confused, he took matters into his own hands.”

“Can we arrest him?” Knight ran his hand through his hair.

Patch paused. “Not yet. You planted the bug on his shoe. He’s pissed you disappeared. He didn’t give Gabby anything to hurt her or the baby. He wants her because she knows something. You, however, became an unknown he didn’t expect. Wilkinson ordered a hit on you. He doesn’t want Gabby and the baby harmed. We want you back on the mountain. It won’t help Gabby’s stress if you’re freaking out or if she knows about this conversation. When I tell you something, freaking listen.”

“My team didn’t want me?” He sat on a bench by the doors, stunned. His commander suggested the black ops to solve the problem. His chest tightened and his throat seemed to close.

Patch ran his hand along his scruff. “It might’ve slipped out. Word has it you’re difficult to work with. When we return to the mountain, Claire’s coming to see you and she’s sending Dr. Hill, her associate, to speak with Gabby. This incident’s bound to bring up some fears for her. Personally, I find your asshole personality refreshing. These people act like a cult. They care all about each other and shit. When they adopt you into their fold, you become one of them. You, on the other hand, see me for what I am.”

“The biggest dick on earth?” Knight snarked.

“Usually I only let Claire tell her closest friends, but I’ll let you say it just this once. Now, Saint’s covering your wife. You’re getting in the helo and then having a session with Claire. The women will tend to Gabrielle. Kassie will stay with her after Dr. Beecham leaves.”

“Who called this mission Little Tiger?” Knight narrowed his eyes in Patch’s direction.

The team member held his hands in the air and laughed. “You named your kid Tiger. I wonder if there’s a bit of wishful thinking about the gender.”

“I hoped Gabby might soften up and allow me to go to her doc appointment,” Knight confessed wearily. “I feel like we make one step forward and two steps back.”

“You’ll get there, man. I know it doesn’t feel like it. Keep showing up and working on yourself. It’s the best thing you can do for both of you and the baby she’s carrying. I may talk out my ass, but if anyone can help you, you’re in the right spot. They didn’t give up on me and I’m not giving up on you.”

“Why do you give a shit? You call me asshole every chance you get and offer to off me to a woman who I’ve hurt a million times over. You don’t even like me. The team barely tolerates me.”

“Because everyone deserves a second chance. I got one. Tex and Wolf harassed me nonstop. When I arrived here, this group gave me a choice. They offered me more than friendship. They gave me a home and a family. With Claire, I found love. I see the anger in you. Gabby’s hurt, but if she didn’t harbor feelings for you, she’d refuse to allow you to stay in the cabin with her. You have love and Bryanna’s your family. It seems to me you need to find your home and gain a friend. I drew the fucking short straw.”

Knight glanced at him, punched him in the arm and stood. “You’re an asshole,” he muttered as he smiled.

“I’ve been telling you thatall along. It takes one to know one. Let’s get you and your wife safe. Hopefully, Doc will find out more while we get everyone settled.” Patch slapped him on the back as he went inside.

Knight shook his head. The universe held a funny sense of humor, and it gave him Patch as a friend. If things didn’t seem dire enough, it threw a little chaos in. He laughed to himself. Patch hit the nail on the head and carried the cojones to tell him the truth. Since coming to the small town, he found a new respect for his brother-in-law and his co-workers. He loved staying close to his sister. In fact, he enjoyed living there more than Seattle, which was close enough to visit. Maybe Serenity gave him family, and a friend. Could it possibly give him and Gabby the peace to find their way back to each other?

39

Gabby lay against the pillows on her bed. An involuntary shiver went down her body as she recalled the afternoon’s events. Settled back at the cabin after reassurances from Dr. Beecham and the team, Gabby’s nerves refused to calm. A knock at the door made her glance in its direction.

“Come in.”

Claire entered her room. “Hello, Gabrielle. I wondered if you might like a cup of tea.” Patch walked in, carrying a tray of tea and cookies. He kissed Claire and gave a wink in her direction as he closed the door.

“You’ll have to excuse my fiancé. He doesn’t comprehend there’s a fine line between professionalism and friendship. He calls it bullshit.” She giggled.

“Are you here to see me professionally?” Gabby sat up, taking the tea.

“It depends on you. I can sit here and drink tea with you while you tell me about your harrowing experience, or I can dig my glasses out of my purse and put on my doctor’s hat.”

“I don’t feel like getting analyzed. Let’s keep it as friends. Bryanna left a few minutes ago. She seems to get along so well with the other women in Serenity.”

“And you feel a bit on the outside?” Claire sipped her tea and sat in the chair beside the bed.

“I met Bryanna through Knight when we decided to get married. I considered her my best friend.” Gabby set her cup down, taking a chocolate chip cookie from the plate.

“Do you not still consider her a friend?” Claire sat back and focused on Gabby.

“She’s loyal to Marcus. I discovered the hard way. Maybe I still feel a bit bitter about it. I love her and understand, yet it still makes me sad.” Gabby brushed the crumbs into her hand and dusted them into a tissue.

“When I started working here, Kassie and I experienced a misunderstanding. I watched her as she made friends with everyone on the mountain and held myself from the group because I used to see her professionally. Patch called me an idiot. When a former patient attacked me, the Serenity women showed me friendship can change and grow.”

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