Page 58 of SEAL's Spitfire
“Copy that.”
Rafe moved with speed and precision through the destroyed building, working his way over broken furniture and pieces of concrete. He hadn’t expected to find anyone else alive, so when he came face-to-face with a Taliban soldier with a machine gun, he cursed. He’d never let his guard down before.
But Murph had his six, and a single shot flew past his ear. The Taliban soldier hit the ground with a bullet in the center of his forehead.
“Rafe, I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong. You have a wounded civilian in your arms, your mission is to rescue her. Now stop thinking so much and let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Rafe nodded. “I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me a fucking thing. We’re brothers.”
“Eagle 2, sitrep.”
“Eagle 1, we’re on the way out with the last captive.”
“Copy that. Now get your asses to the EXFIL.”
The chopper was waiting at the evac point. Everyone was loaded and waiting for them to return. Rafe had the unconscious Meghan in his arms as they ran for the chopper. Murph took out the few tangos who were still hoping for a piece of them.
As the helo took off, the SEALs exchanged glances. This had been one hell of a clusterfuck, but they’d gotten everyone out alive. It was a win-win as far as they were concerned. There had been too many missions that hadn’t gone this well even with all the complications. They probably wouldn’t know how to react if they went in and got out as planned.
“How’s Miranda?” Jake asked over their coms.
“Stable for now. Not sure if there’s something internal going on though,” Ryan answered. He was kneeling between his two patients. Meghan still hadn’t regained consciousness.
“And Meghan?” Rafe asked.
“Not sure, bro. From the look of this head wound, she’s definitely got a concussion. It’s not good we can’t wake her up,” Ryan said. “I’m sorry, Rafe. But I just don’t know. The medical team at Bagram will have a better idea.”
Rafe nodded. His face set in stone as usual, but inside his heart was breaking for his little spitfire. She had to come back to him. The universe couldn’t be so cruel to let him find her and then lose her.
“Let me by, I want to see my sister,” Charlie Henley said as he pushed his way past the others in his group to get to Meghan.
“Hold up there,” Jake said, “she’s unconscious. You need to let the medic do his job.”
“I won’t interfere, but I need to see her.”
Jake nodded, and let him pass. They were about a half hour out of Bagram and they didn’t want to have to sedate anyone for hysteria. The calmer everyone remained the better.
“Oh my God, Meghan. What have they done to you? I should have tried to stop them. You didn’t deserve this,” Charlie whispered as he looked at his battered sister. Rafe watched his reactions closely.
“You did the right thing.”
“What?”
“Not trying to stop them. It would have been much worse for her then.”
“But she might die…”
“She won’t, she can’t. Where’s your faith?”
“You’re right. She’s a fighter, always has been. Is it okay if I say a prayer?”
“Of course, you can,” Rafe answered.
Ryan met Rafe’s eyes, but he didn’t give anything away. He’d had too many years of hiding his emotions, even if he wanted to punch something.
They listened as Charlie prayed for his sister. None of them doubted the power of prayer, they’d seen it work too many times. Rafe added his own silent prayer. Meghan needed to wake up and be okay.
