Page 66 of Shielding Instinct

Melissa was in the far back with him. She’d been mum the whole time.

Petra and Voodoo squeezed into one seat on the second row.

Levi was driving, and Cooper was between Hawkeye’s feet as he sat shotgun.

“Twelve minutes,” Levi said. “I’m taking it slow and steady to keep from jostling you too much, Terry.”

Terry was going into shock, so Hawkeye cranked up the heat.

“Hospital knows we’re bringing you in,” Levi finished.

Hawkeye was watching Petra in the side mirror.

She caught his eye. “You were caught up in something, too?” Petra asked.

“The team pulled six from rip currents,” Hawkeye said.

“We had the rip currents near the tide pool. But we could see them, and everyone stayed clear. Then there were these huge waves.” She paused, her nose in the air. “You two smell like smoke and diesel.”

“A boat caught fire. That was our second rescue mission today,” Hawkeye said.

“I’m the third?” Petra asked. “Thank you both. Once I got the first aid wrapped up, there were lots of people who wanted to help, none of them had expertise, and I was getting afraid for—”

She seemed to realize who was in the vehicle and could be listening.

“Given the injuries, my thinking you were en route helped my psychology today. Thank you for coming.”

Hawkeye turned his body so she could look directly into his eyes. “Petra, you sent us a distress signal. Of course, we’re here.”

Levi lifted his chin. “You know, we’re pretty good at making do. But kudos to you. I’ve never heard of a bike helmet extraction before.”

Petra’s face drooped into a frown, and she lowered her voice. “It was riskier than I’d like to dwell on.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice further. “It’s hard to fathom. This poor guy was walking down the shore, having a romantic moment with his fiancée. A wave picked him up and took him out. He’s talking to her one minute and gone the next. Near as I can tell, the ocean pulled him out, then pushed him under and into the blow hole. From romance to being pummeled underground.” She dropped to a whisper. “His initial screams are sounds that will haunt my dreams.”

“You heard him?” Levi asked. “I saw that hole. I heard the roar of the surf. Youheardhim down there?”

“I have heightened senses. My eyes seek out anomalies. I have the nose and ears of a dog.”

Cooper drew his brows together until they wrinkled together.

“No, Cooper, not as good as yours. You are superior in every way. But you know I can hear things others can’t.”

“Like?” Levi asked.

“Electricity in the walls?

Levi chuckled. “Yup, part canine. I’d say.”

“How is your team?” Petra asked. “Everyone healthy?”

“Reaper was taking Ash to the hospital for smoke inhalation. We’ll meet up with the rest of the team when we get there.”

“Two missions. You got everyone out of the water okay?” She put her hand on Hawkeye’s shoulder.

He liked that she was reaching out for him. And he reached up to cover her hand with his.

“Unfortunately,” Levi said, “we know of one guy who didn’t make it. Ash tried to recover his body from a boat fire. But the smoke and fumes were too much.”

“Swollen air passages from the chemical fumes. Back on the beach, Ash was wheezing and having trouble breathing,” Hawkeye said. “We don’t mess around with that.”

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