Page 108 of Shadow Redemption

“Thirty-nine,” Sam said over the comm system.

“Most of them have been ripped out.”

“Patch him up,” Josh ordered.

“Copy that.” The medic dug into his bag. “Ruth, my name is Rio. I’m the team medic for Durango. Would you like to give me a hand?”

“Anything.”

“Rio, no,” Ben snapped. “She doesn’t need to see that.”

Her soft hand cupped his jaw. “I’ll handle it.” She pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. “What can I do to help you, Rio?”

“Hold this pen light so I can do a quick fix on Ben’s back.”

A moment later, she gasped. “Oh, Ben! Buckner did so much damage.”

“I’m okay, baby. I promise. I’ve handled worse.”

Rio worked fast to close the wound. “That’s the best I can do for now. Josh, do I have time to check Ben’s ribs?”

“Thirty seconds.”

“Copy.” The medic pressed on the ribs Ben indicated. “Both are cracked. I’ll use tape to help with the pain, but you’re still going to hurt.”

“As long as I’m functional.”

Fifteen seconds later, Rio tugged down Ben’s shirt. “Don’t get involved in a wrestling match. This is a quick and dirty patch job.”

“I’ll do my best.” Whether or not he could comply depended on the guards.

Nate escorted Maren to Ben’s side. “Josh, Nico, the packages are ready to roll.”

“Copy that,” Nico acknowledged. “Ten seconds.”

“Mom, I’m getting Ruth out of here and I want to take you with us. Will you come with me?”

“I haven’t worked in over 20 years, Cameron. I won’t be able to find a job and I have no money. How will I live?”

“Leave that to me but you have to make a decision because we’re leaving right now. Are you coming with me?”

“I want to go but I don’t have a passport or ID.”

Thank God. He’d been afraid the prophet’s brainwashing would make her refuse to leave the Eden community. “I’ll take care of it. Nate?”

“I’ve got her. Worry about yourself and your lady.”

“Thanks. Here’s how this is going to work, Mom. When we leave the Den, you listen to everything Nate tells you. If he says to drop, you hit the dirt without hesitation. He’ll protect you and get you out of here. The Eden guards will try to stop us from leaving. No one will prevent me from freeing you and Ruth. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“I understand. I’m ready.”

“Nico, we’re ready.”

“Trace, Alex?”

“Go,” Alex murmured.

Nate said, “Rio, take point.”

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