Page 60 of SEAL's Sunshine
“I thought you were dead,” she said softly as tears filled her eyes.
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
“No, it’s not your fault.”
“If it’s okay with you two, can I finish checking her vitals before we get to the hospital?”
“Sorry,” Cam said and moved out of the EMTs way but stayed within view of Miranda’s eyes to keep them both calm. He owed Tex big time and he had no idea how he’d ever repay him. Miranda would have been gone forever if not for him.
Chapter 18
Miranda had a concussion,four broken ribs, a swollen eye, a bruised jaw, and her wrists were torn up from being restrained in the zip-ties. As they rolled her gurney into her hospital room, Cam got his first look at her since they’d tossed him out of the ER, and it shredded his heart. Covered in bruises of assorted shades, wrists wrapped in bandages and assorted cuts and scrapes, it was like déjà vu. Would it be better if he got out of her life? It would be safer for her. But could he walk away from her and have anything left?
“Cam? Whatever you’re thinking, cut it out.”
“What?” She’d opened her eyes and was staring up at him from the hospital bed. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“No, just resting my eye.”
“How are you, Sunshine? I thought I’d lost you. I’m so sorry. I love you with all of my heart.” He ached to hold her, to wrap her in his arms and never let her go. But between the machines, the IV, and her ribs, he hesitated to touch her.
“I thought I’d lost you too. I’m so much better now that I know you’re okay. I was so worried about you and Halo. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Where’s Halo?”
“He’s fine, I promise. He was shot and had to go to the Vet. We can probably pick him up in a day or two. Maybe sooner.”
“They shot him? What is wrong with these people?” She struggled to sit up and he rushed to her side.
“Easy, remember your ribs.” From her wince, it was obvious that the pain reminded her.
“I can’t believe they broke my ribs again. Is it mean guy 101? Go for the face and the ribs?”
“Hmm, maybe. I’ll have to look that up in my training information.” She giggled, at least it was some combination of giggle and groan, which was the reaction he’d been hoping for, without the pain.
“Cam, you’re bleeding. What happened? He followed her eyes to his shoulder. He must have opened the wound at some point and even though he was wearing black the blood was visible.
“Nothing, it’s just a scratch. I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe you. I knew they did something to you to keep you from me. Don’t try to tell me it’s nothing, or you would have kept me from being taken. I know you.”
He couldn’t understand how she had such blind faith in him when he’d failed her. “We were ambushed, but I should have been expecting something. If I had…”
“I told you earlier, you and Halo could not have held off three armed men. You’re good but you’re not that good,” Jake said as he walked into the room obviously overhearing Miranda’s comment.
“See, even your boss thinks so. Thank you, Jake. If it weren’t for you and your team…”
“Most of the credit on this one has to go to Tex. If it wasn’t for his tracker I’m not sure we would have found you in time.” It’s what Cam had been thinking too.
“I’m glad too. I prayed that he’d realize I was in trouble. I wasn’t sure what happened to Cam, so I didn’t know if anyone would realize I was missing.”
“We found out pretty quickly. A witness called the police and they called me after they found Cam and Halo unconscious on the sidewalk.”
“Shouldn’t you be in the hospital too?”
“No, I’m exactly where I should be. I’ll be fine. It’s not the first or the last time I’ll be hurt on a mission.” He carefully avoided the word ‘shot’ since he didn’t want her to worry more than she was already.
“Did you catch Ishmael and the American?”
“Yes, and two others. The FBI has them now. We’re hoping that they’ll turn on each other. It all depends if they are true jihadists or were just in it for the money.”
