Page 68 of Relentless

“Afterward, you’ll want to sleep.” Matt wrapped a blanket around her. “All of us experience different reactions to adrenaline dump. The shakes and heavy, dragging fatigue are common.”

She shivered and huddled deeper into the blanket and against Liam’s side. “How do you and the rest of Bravo handle this when you’re on missions?”

“We’ve experienced adrenaline dump so many times, the reaction isn’t extreme.” Liam kissed her temple. He held her while Matt cleaned the cut and slid the needle into her skin to administer the medicine.

The medic patted her knee. “Snuggle with Liam for a few minutes.”

Liam unwrapped her blanket and positioned Piper against his chest. He draped the cover over her back and looped his arms on top.

She groaned. “Not only do you have superb kissing skills, you’re as warm as a furnace. That’s it, Liam McCoy. Your days of playing the field are over. I’m keeping you.”

Matt and Trent grinned.

Liam chuckled. “Good to know I won’t have to fight off other would-be pursuers.”

“Not a chance.”

Matt moved to stand behind the couch. “Extend your right arm, Piper.” He treated the scrapes and cuts on her hands and arms. When he finished, he tossed the medical detritus in the trash and returned. “All right. Let’s see if the lidocaine has kicked in.”

He pinched various spots close to the cut. She didn’t react. “Excellent. You’ll have to turn around, Piper. The stitches will take five minutes, maybe less. Afterward, huddle with Liam until the shakes stop. We’ll bring you a soft drink with sugar to help combat the shock. Are you ready?”

Piper nodded. She turned to face Matt who now stood in front of the couch.

Matt tugged on rubber gloves. “Lean your head back against Liam’s shoulder. If you’re not a fan of needles, close your eyes.”

“Ha. I’d rather see that needle than be taken by surprise.”

“You’ll feel tugging and pressure. No pain.”

“Go ahead.”

Liam stroked Piper’s hair as the medic worked. True to his word, five minutes later, Matt was finished.

“Shouldn’t leave much of a scar. I used small stitches.”

“Unlike what you do with us,” Trent pointed out.

“I stitch wounds while we’re on the move. Can’t do delicate work when tangos are on our trail.” Matt handed Piper the ice pack wrapped in a washcloth. “Keep this is place for twenty minutes. We’ll repeat every two hours. The cold reduces swelling.”

A knock sounded on the door.

Trent checked the peephole and admitted Cade.

“Cops will be here soon.”

“What did you learn from the kidnapper?”

“He doesn’t know who hired him.”

Liam scowled at Cade as Piper huddled against his chest again. “How was he contacted and paid?”

“Anonymous email for the arrangements. Once he agreed to the terms, half the money was mailed to a P.O. box he uses for business. The other half would be collected on job completion.”

“What was the job?”

Cade’s gaze shifted to Piper. “Once he retrieved Gavin’s information, he was instructed to kill her and hide her body.”

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