Page 40 of Rescuing Red

Settling onto the cot Liz pulled him to, Blaide let his body relax, breath leaving him in a hiss when she pressed against his side. He tried to hide his reaction, but she’d already jumped back, green eyes filled with concern. Smiling, he tried to push reassurance through their bond as a medic approached.

“We’re going to have to cut that shirt off, and you’ll likely need surgery to remove the shrapnel,” the man said as he peeked at Blaide’s back. Grunting, Blaide shook his head.

“It’s not that bad. Just yank it out.”

The medic’s lips pressed into a thin line as he pulled out a pair of scissors and moved behind Blaide. Sliding the metal into the shirt’s collar, he cut down, letting out a whistle as the rest of Blaide’s back came into view.

“Yeah, I don’t think we can do that. It’s too deep and too close to your spine. The scars will limit your mobility if we don’t take it out properly. But our surgeon is skilled. He’ll be able to get it out, and also the rest of these pellets, and have you ready to go in no time.”

Clenching his teeth, Blaide kept his growl low.

“No one is doing surgery on me except Ursuli.”

The medic moved back around where Blaide could see him, gathering supplies to clean Blaide’s wounds.

“Master Sergeant Venza is no longer with the military. He’s not even a surgeon anymore, from what I’ve heard. SergeantDraga is a trusted surgeon and will be the one to treat you once he’s done with more serious cases.”

The man’s clipped words showed clear contempt for Blaide’s friend, and Blaide’s growl deepened. Few knew Ursuli’s reason for leaving, but Blaide wouldn’t trust anyone else to cut on him.

“You’ll show some respect for your senior, even if he left the service. And since I’m no longer in the military, I can see anyone I damn well please.”

Liz’s hand clutched his, his growl affecting her just as much as the man he produced it for. Forcing himself to relax and cut off the noise, he ignored the man as he finished his job in silence.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t let them do it now?”

Liz’s worry bled through to him, and he pulled her closer to his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder despite the pain it caused his back.

“Ursuli is the best surgeon there is. I’ve watched him stitch up injuries men should have died from, and he’s the only one I’d let do this. He’s not far. I was able to run through the jungle with it in there; it’ll be fine till we get to him.”

He could feel her arguments, but she didn’t voice them, ducking her head to press her ear to his chest as she let out a purr. The medic finished patching up the wounds on his back after digging out the shallower pellets stuck in his flesh then left with a huff. Ignoring his pain, Blaide put his fingers under Liz’s chin and lifted her face until he could see her eyes again.

“I promise we’ll take your nana to safety first. Will you forgive me if it takes a little longer until I can knot you like I promised?”

His lips tipped up as her eyes went wide, her pupils expanding as a whiff of arousal reached his nose. Pulling her closer, he claimed her lips, thrusting his tongue into her mouth and tangling it with hers. She was panting by the time he released her, his pants uncomfortably tight once again.

“I’ll forgive you if you knot me for two weeks instead of just one.”

A chuckle rumbled from his chest as he pressed another quick kiss to her lips. He didn’t know what he’d done to earn such a perfect mate, but he’d promise her the galaxy if that was what she wanted.

“Deal.”

He would have drawn her in for another kiss if someone hadn’t cleared their throat behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, Liz’s cheeks flushed darker before she jumped up and moved around him to throw her arms around her nana.

“Are you okay? Did you get everything you needed?”

Liz’s grandmother patted her back before pulling away from the hug.

“I’m fine, child. As fine as someone my age can be after being buried for almost two days and then running through the jungle chased by enemy soldiers.”

Her lips twitched with the hint of a smile as her eyes danced, but she didn’t give in to her amusement. Blaide could tell by how slow her movements were as she shuffled to sit across from him that she was sore and tired, but otherwise she’d held up.

“Now, Evangeline let me know they’ve begun allowing ships off planet again, and while I love my little cabin, she’s assured me it’ll be a couple of weeks before they allow me back out of the city. I believe we should call your mother and let her know she’ll be receiving a visitor soon. Or two.”

Her eyes tipped to Blaide, but he focused his attention on his mate as Liz’s body went stiff beside him. Her mouth was hanging open, her face a pale shade that had him searching through their bond to see what was wrong.

“Mom! She… I… I didn’t tell her I was leaving.”

Blaide’s brow rose as her nana snorted, folding her hands in her lap and straightening her back.

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