Page 77 of Edge of Desperation

“Thomas, brother, hand her over!” Jaxson hollers from the front seat.

I rub his arm, trying to comfort him. “Let the doctors and nurses help her, Thomas,” I coax. “She’ll die if you don’t.”

He turns his head, and I see the torture in his eyes. His cheeks are wet with tears, yet he hasn’t made a sound. “We were too late.”

I know that pain.

“No, I think we found her in time,” I reassure him as Hudson comes around to the passenger side. “Give her to Hudson, and he’ll make sure she’s okay.”

Hudson nods. “I got her, brother.”

Thomas slides her into Hudson’s arms as if she is the most delicate piece of China. Hudson lifts Lace, places her on the gurney, and jogs with the nurses and doctors through the doors. Thomas shakes off his stupor and charges after them.

“I’m going to follow,” I tell Jaxson. “You go park, find Carver and Bennett, and meet me inside.”

“Okay,” he says.

I spot Hudson as I enter the bay. “What’s happening?”

He grips my elbow and leads me around the corner. Lowering his voice, he says, “She doesn’t have any family, right?” I shake my head. “I didn’t think so. The hospital doesn’t know that. I told them she was your sister. As far as anyone here knows, she’s Lace Parks. They shouldn’t be able to put it together that you’re General Parks’ daughter, so I think we’re safe there.”

Damn! At least someone’s using their fucking brain tonight. My dad can’t know what I’ve been up to, and there will be so many questions if he finds out I’m here right now.

“Shit,” I huff. “Good thinking.”

“I’ll have Jaxson fill your dad in,” Hudson says with a smirk. “He’ll just have to leave out some of the details.”

I laugh. “Better him than me. Where’s Thomas?”

“Right here.” Thomas appears out of thin air. “The doctors wouldn’t let me back with her.”

I pat his chest. “Lace is a fighter. She’ll be okay.”

“Sir, excuse me! You can’t bring him in here,” a nurse shouts from behind us.

I whirl around in time for Lykos to bump into my legs. Dropping to my knees, I wrap my arms around him. “He’s my service dog.”

The nurse places her hands on her hips. “He needs to be on a leash and have his vest on.”

“My apologies, ma’am.” Carver flashes a mega-watt smile at her. “Lykos here was so distraught being away from his owner, he got away from me. He should be calm now.” He waves the leash. “I’ll put it on.”

Jaxson and Bennett cough to hide their laughter.

The nurse flushes. “O-o-kay, see that you do.” She spins on her heel and returns to her station.

I hook Lykos’ leash to his collar so we won’t get kicked out and walk over to the waiting room before plopping down into the chair with Lykos at my feet. Jaxson and the rest of the guys sitnext to me. Carver makes several coffee runs while we wait for news, but the mood is somber. Jaxson makes a call to my dad, but I’m too tired to focus on the conversation.

“I told your dad we finally got Oleg and Dmitri,” he whispers. “To say he was ecstatic would be an understatement. I think he was a little disappointed he wasn’t there, though. I told him I sent you a picture of the girl we found, and you immediately recognized her as Lace. I told him you drove down here to check on her.”

My brows furrow. “Where did he think I was all night if you guys were out killing Dmitri and Oleg? I told him I was hanging out with you.”

He grins. “I told him you passed out on my couch watching Netflix.”

I lean over and press my lips to his. “Thank you.”

“You never have to thank me, baby.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I lay my head on his chest. “Try to rest.”

Holding Lace’s hand in mine, I listen to the beeping sounds of the machines. The smell of antiseptic and disinfectant invades my nostrils, bringing back memories of the times I spent in the hospital. Dad had her moved to Quantico so we’d be closer to him, and everyone could rest more comfortably. I had him take Lykos home so he wouldn’t be cooped up in the hospital with me all day and night because I refuse to leave Lace’s side. The last thing I want is for her to wake up scared and have no idea what’s going on.

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