“Did the child … did you manage to…”
“Yeah, your superhero man managed to get the kid out even with a shattered leg. Bloody fool.” He leaned out and punched the code into the security pad next to the gate. The movement caught her unawares and she jumped, hunkering closer to the door, so tense to hear the outcome of the story.
She blinked and realized there were tears in her eyes.
Hawk’s team mate pushed a tissue in front of her face. Cass looked over at the man who’d brought her here. A crooked smile changed his whole appearance. “Thanks.”
“Name’s Romeo and you’re welcome. I have a vested interest in this working out for you guys. Just listen to what he has to say and remember … you were all he could talk about on the flight home. He needs you and this country needs him. By the way, I burned your note. Only you and I know about it.” Romeo put the four-wheel-drive in gear and drove up to the house, parking underneath it.
Cass jumped out of the passenger seat and walked around to the house. Romeo took her arm and led her up the stairs where a man in commando colors stood guard at the door.
“Thank fuck you found her. I can’t take anymore of his freaking shit today.” He looked between her and Romeo. “Sorry, Ma’am. It’s been hard on us all. I’m glad to see you made it safely.”
“Stand down, Harper. I’ll take the next watch.”
Cass was led inside. The lounge was cleared of the furniture she saw last time she was here. Now in the middle of the room was a hospital bed with medical equipment close by. Lying pale and still on the bed was Hawk.
She gasped when she saw him. He was stripped to the waist with a large bandage around his left thigh. A medic sat in a chair nearby, his eyes closed and his head back against a chair. A hand pushed into her back. “Go and sit with him.”
Cass glanced at Romeo and bit her lip. Her heart told her to be with Hawk but her head was a mix of confusion.
“I can see in your eyes you want to. Don’t be stubborn, just do it and save us all some grief.” He nodded his chin in the direction of the bed. “You’ll be the best pain medicine he could ask for. I’ll go make us all coffee.” He nudged her again and headed to the kitchen.
Cass bit her lip knowing damn well he was right. She wanted him, no matter how many times he left her. So long as he came back, Hawk had her heart from the get go. With soft steps, she moved over to the bed. A chair stood in the corner of the room and she reached for it to drag it over.
“Cass, is that you?” Hawk’s eyelids fluttered open and he looked confused. “We’re at the beach house, right?”
She stepped over to the bed and took his hand. “Yes. Hawk, you’ve been hurt but I’m here.”
He licked his lips and gazed around the room. “You’re really here. I didn’t think you would be when I got back. I was so worried I’d lost you this time.” He blinked and rubbed his eyes.
“I love you, Hawk. Didn’t I tell you I always wanted you and only you?” She gripped his hand knowing her heart had won over this time. “I’ll always want you. I’m so glad you made it home to me.”
“Me too. I almost didn’t but you were all I thought about. Cass, this is my life. You need to be sure you can deal with it or leave now.”
“I need you. We can work anything out so long as we’re together. I realized after you left that your job can’t come between us. It would be wrong of me to make you feel guilty about what you do.” She stroked her finger over his palm. “What you do saves lives, Hawk and makes the world a better place. That makes you the noblest man I know and I want to be part of your life forever.” Cass rested her head against his. “That’s if you still want me.”
“More than you can ever know.”
