Page 75 of Devlin

Her head snapped around, and everything inside her locked into place.Devlin!He was in full tactical gear, weapon out, his gaze scanning the area.

She tried to run. Tried to get to him. But the moment she pushed off the ground, her leg buckled, sending her sprawling into the dirt. A sob tore from her throat, frustration and relief tangling into something raw and uncontrollable.

“Mia!”

She barely had time to lift her head before Devlin appeared, dropping to his knees and scooping her into his arms. She collapsed against him, gripping the front of his vest with shaking hands, her breath coming in gasps. His arms were strong and solid, holding her tightly.

“I got you,” he murmured, voice rough, barely above a whisper. “You’re safe now, baby. I got you.”

Tears burned behind her eyes as she pressed her face against his shoulder.

Moses called out for Cole, but Mia barely registered it. All she knew was the heat of Devlin’s body and how his arms tightened around her like he’d never let her go.

He lifted her effortlessly, his arms locking around her as he ran toward the helicopter. The landscape blurred past her as the sound of the rotors grew deafening, the wind whipping, flattening the tall grasses. Mia buried her face against Devlin’s chest, her fingers clutching at his vest as he moved with fierce determination, his grip unyielding.

The moment they neared the chopper, hands reached for her, trying to pull her away. Panic seized her. She cried out, her body tensing as she fought against the sudden separation.

“It’s okay, Mia. I’ve got you.”

The firm voice was familiar. She forced her eyes open just enough to see Todd’s face, his hands steady as he guided her into the massive helicopter. She barely had time to register anything before Devlin was also inside, yanking her into his arms again.

The doors slammed shut with a metallic clang, and the chopper jolted, the floor vibrating beneath her as they lifted off. Mia turned sharply, her stomach twisting, her heart hammering. “No—no, we have to get Charlie!” she cried, clutching at Devlin. “We can’t leave his body!”

Devlin’s gaze locked onto hers, unwavering, but she saw the flicker of pain there. “Mia?—”

She shook her head, desperate, pleading. “He saved me, Devlin. He saved me. We can’t leave him!”

For a moment, the noise of the rotor blades was the only sound between them. Then with a tight nod, Devlin jerked his chin toward Cole. “Get him.”

A sob broke free from Mia’s throat, her fingers curling into Devlin’s vest as she collapsed against him. Her body shook, the sheer weight of everything pressing down on her.

He settled onto the seat, his arms still wrapped tightly around her. His body was like a shield, grounding her when everything inside felt like it was unraveling. Then pain. She gasped as Devlin’s hand ripped at the fabric of her shirt, baring her injured shoulder. She bit back a cry, her fingers digging into his arm.

“What the hell happened?” His voice was rough, edged with a barely restrained fury.

She swallowed hard, her throat tight, her pulse erratic. “The shot hit the tree first,” she murmured. “Then… I don’t know. It got me.”

Devlin’s jaw flexed, his hands working swiftly and efficiently as he pressed gauze to the wound. Todd rummaged through a med pack, handing Devlin what he needed. Mia exhaled shakily when the bandage was secured, her head pressing against Devlin’s chest.

She barely registered the chopper dipping lower, the world tilting beneath them as they descended. When they landed, Moses and Todd moved quickly, retrieving Charlie’s body and wrapping it carefully. There was a heavy silence as they carried him inside, placing him toward the back.

Mia swallowed against the thick knot in her throat, her gaze following them. Moses returned moments later with another body—Enock. Her stomach twisted. A sudden wave of exhaustion crashed over her, dragging her under. She curled into Devlin, her body giving out.

His arms tightened around her, his lips brushing the top of her head. “You’re safe,” he murmured. “I’ve got you, Mia. I’m not letting go.”

And for the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself believe it.

32

Devlin sat on the edge of the cot in the camp’s hospital, one boot planted firmly on the worn wooden floor and the other leg cocked at the knee beside Mia. Even this close to her, everything inside him felt unmoored. His hands, steady from years of experience, trembled as he accepted the warm, damp cloth Ritah handed him. He gently wiped the blood from Mia’s shaking hands, careful to avoid the scrapes and bruises marring her skin.

Doc Elaine worked methodically on Mia’s shoulder, the sharp tang of antiseptic overpowering the other scents. The sting of the numbing agent had made her flinch, and even now, her jaw was tight as the doctor began stitching the ragged wound. Across from them, Karen crouched beside the cot, carefully wrapping Mia’s swollen ankle with practiced ease. The portable X-ray machine had been wheeled out moments before. The doctor who carefully viewed the film declared that her ankle wasn’t fractured. But it appeared that she had not only sprained her ankle but also her knee.

Mia lay back against the thin pillow, swathed in a pale green hospital gown. The sight of her in something clean should have brought Devlin a sense of relief, but he couldn’t shake the image of her as she’d stumbled from the jungle, her bodybruised, bloodied, and barely able to stand. His heart had been hammering in his chest ever since, an erratic beat he couldn't seem to settle.

The room, small to begin with, was now filled with people. The partitions that usually offered some semblance of privacy had been shoved aside, making space for the crowd that had gathered. Todd and Cole stood by the door like sentries, their arms crossed, unreadable expressions locked in place. Karen remained at Mia’s side, her hands gentle but efficient as she worked. Robert, Ravi, Percy, Elizabeth, Farid, and Ritah had all pushed their way in, their faces drawn with concern. Even Dr. München and Moses stood at the foot of the bed, waiting to hear every word Mia had to say.

Devlin didn’t care about their questions. He didn’t care about the answers. He only cared that she was here in his arms. She was breathing, warm, alive. Everything else, including the men who had taken her and the danger she’d faced, only stoked the fire of rage inside him. He forced himself to swallow it down, knowing she needed him.

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