Page 68 of Resolution
As I look up, I realize the other women are nowhere in sight. Riggs comes and sits beside me. “How are you holding up?” Concern is etched in his voice, which puts me back on alert for Enzo.
“Is he… Do you know anything else?” I manage to mutter, all the anxiety I’d pushed away rears its ugly head and is back in full force.
Thankfully, it dies away as soon as I see relief fill his features. His eyes soften and a smile forms on his lips as he nods in my direction. “Yes. We’ve gotten word everyone made it out. They were wheels up hours ago. There were some injuries, but nothing sustainable. It’s an estimated nine hours of flying, so they should be here late this evening.”
“Is Enzo…” I take a deep breath and steady myself. “Was he injured?”
“He might have some bumps and bruises, but from the sound of it, the injuries were to someone else.”
Instantly, the women I met earlier come to mind. “Ohmigod, what happened to them? Anything serious?”
“I’m not privy to specific details as of yet, but it appears as if McGowen’s calf was grazed with a bullet. Nothing entered his body, but it slowed them down before they got to checkpoint two.”
“But he’s going to be okay?”
“Yes. There’s also a medic. He’s assured us he’s fine.”
“And nothing’s wrong with Enzo?” I can’t help myself by asking.He did just say a grazing bullet wasn’t a big deal after all. Is Enzo going to be covered in bruises and unrecognizable?
“Seriously, Sam, he’s fine. In fact, he’s the pilot. We wouldn’t have him flying if he’s sustained any injuries.” Relief washes through me and my chest loosens immensely. I want to scream and shout my relief from the rooftops.
Unaware of my intent, I throw myself into Riggs’ arms, hugging him fiercely. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” I repeat into his ear. When I pull back, I find my eyes filling with tears.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Riggs has a cross between a deer in the headlights and there’s a bomb about to explode expression down pat.
“Happy tears, I’m sure,” Sara explains for me.
Lorenzo reaches out to shake his hand. “Thank you for letting us know.” He looks to Sara and me. “Now that we know Enzo’s safe and sound, we’ll be able to relax some.”
“Feel free to hang out here to wait for their arrival. Let’s get out of this conference room, so you all can relax a bit while you wait.”
Without even looking to Enzo’s parents, words pour out, “Thank you, we will.” There’s no way I’m going anywhere until I see Enzo for myself.
A few hours later, Sara and I visit on an extremely comfortable couch in the lounge Riggs had let us use. Lorenzo took off to run some errands and will return before Enzo arrives.
I take a deep breath and I find myself getting sucked deeper and deeper into the cool leather surrounding me. I may need a forklift to get out of this thing, but for the moment, I simply don’t care. The stress of the day has made me exceptionally tired, but I’m too wired to sleep. I absentmindedly rub my belly as my muscles turn liquid.
“Are you doing okay, love?” Sara asks as I exhale heavier than normal.
“Yeah,” comes out as a sigh. “Now that I’ve calmed down, I think this couch may be a little too comfortable, if you know what I mean. You’ll probably have to send an SOS just to get me out of it.”
Her laugh reminds me of Enzo, making my heart clench in longing. “Oh, don’t be silly. We’ll get you out of it just fine. In the meantime, why don’t you rest. You don’t need to stay awake for my sake. I’ve got my Kindle right here in my purse and I can tell you’re exhausted.”
I sigh heavily. “I’m wiped, but my brain’s still whirling ninety miles a minute.”
“About anything in particular?”
I shake my head. “No. The moment I think I’ve captured it, it flies out the window.”
Sara gives a low chuckle. “I was like that right before I had each of my babies.”
“Really?”
“By the time Erin came around, Lorenzo swore it was a part of my nesting ritual. Did you nest with your other pregnancies?”
“More with Maddie than the rest. I had time to dote on the details. With Dec and Frankie, I think I was too busy to focus on anything but what was in front of me.”
“That’s completely understandable. Once these two make their appearance, I’m sure you won’t have any time to worry either. I’ve had two close in age, but obviously not twins.” Sara shakes her head before adding, “If they’re anything like Enzo, I’ll pray you keep your sanity.”
