Page 100 of Caged

He eyed me up and down, before saying, “You were with her.”

It wasn’t a question, or at least it didn’t sound like one, but I answered anyway. “Yes, sir.”

He looked at Cate, the machines, then back to me. The accusation in his eyes was hard to miss.

I hadn’t protected his daughter. My face looked like Ali had spent hours practicing on it, but Cate looked worse. And she’d been shot.

I stood tall, despite wanting to hang my head in shame, but didn’t defend myself. How could I? I’d failed her and was still beating myself up over it.

After looking us both over, he said, “They used her to get to you.”

“Yes, sir, they did.” I let pride fill my voice when I said, “But she was strong as fuck.” I lifted my eyes to his and apologized.

He smiled, “I’m a Marine. I’ve heard worse.”

And with that, the tension in the room relaxed.

“She fought right up to the end,” I said. “You should be proud of her.”

“I am.” My dad had moved a chair over so General Maxwell could sit.

His expression softening as he looked at Cate. I took advantage of the moment to look at him. His brown eyes were nothing like Cate’s blue ones. But even with a high and tight, and sprinkled with greys, it was obvious where Cate got her red hair. And her freckles. Cate only had a few on her nose, but her father had them all over his face.

“We’ll leave you with your daughter.” Dad’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “If you need anything, please don’thesitate to call.” It killed me to leave, but I wouldn’t deny General Maxwell time with his daughter.

I silently promised to return the next day.

“Thank you.”

“One of our guys, Dean, is outside the door.”

“Is Catelyn still in danger?” The General asked, standing.

“No, but she’s part of the SSI family and we don’t abandon our own,” Dad spoke a language Maxwell would understand.

“Spoken like a true Marine.” Her father’s expression changed from concerned to respectful.

“Oorah,” I whispered, in agreement.

Chapter 39

Cate

Ijerked awake, fighting against the ties holding me down. “Jay?” My voice sounded more frog than human.

The bright light filling the warm room, blinded me.

“Shh, Catelyn, it’s okay.”

Pain and fear flooded my system as I remembered getting shot.

The beeping picked up speed along with my heartbeat.

Dear God, make it stop.

“You’re safe, in the hospital.”

Hospital.

---