Page 6 of Rescuing Ryder

Gunner turned his head and scanned their buddies, who bled out from various wounds from the explosion. Gunner and Patch did everything possible to save them, but they ran out ofsupplies, and the coms to base died. Both knew the chances of getting saved remained slim.

“Listen to me. I see what’s going on in your thick skull. You did everything. Now, it’s your job to live a life for us. I’m proud to call you my brother,” Gunner choked out as he gripped Patch’s vest.

“Let go of the wound. I’m ready. I found enough food to get you through a few more days and I’ll find a way for them to save you. You can’t hold on to me forever.”

Patch swallowed the lump stuck in his parched throat as he shook his head in denial. Refusing to let his best friend die, he held tightly to the fresh bullet hole, knowing it nicked an artery and they had mere minutes before he bled out.

“Don’t leave me, damn it, you’re my best friend, and I can’t let you go. Patty and the kids need you. We can’t let them down,” Patch pleaded with his friend of seven years.

“You never let me down, Patch. You’re my true brother. It’s not your time. Don’t worry. I’ll be watching you from below and cheering you on. I mean it. Let me go,” Gunner attempted a weak smile as he stared at his best friend.

Patch gripped his hand tightly as he let go of the makeshift tourniquet and agonizingly watched his brother slip away.

Now, he lay in the sand with a bullet in his thigh and one in his arm. Daring for death to take him, he cried out to the darkened sky, hoping one of the insurgents heard him and came to put him out of his misery.

The sounds of running footsteps made him sigh in relief. Someone heard him. He prayed for his brothers’ forgiveness for his inability to save them.

Faded voices filled the air as Patch closed his eyes and waited for peace.

“Hey, brother.”Wolf’s voice sounded low as he threw down money for the bill and stood. “Are you still here with me?”

Snapping back from the flashback, Ryder rubbed his beard, swallowed the lump in his throat, and closed his eyes. His hands gripped the edge of the table as if he tried to hold on to his dead friend a little longer. Noticing the concern in his friend’s face, Ryder attempted to brush him off. “Ice must be hungry. Let’s get the food to her,” he answered.

Wolf’s grim expression told him he didn’t fool anyone as they exited the restaurant and drove back to the apartment. Patch’s phone rang and he immediately silenced it. A few seconds later, it rang again. He ran his hand over his chin in frustration as he shut the ringer off.

“He’s only trying to help you know,” Wolf glanced at his friend.

“Listen. I’m grateful for the support, but you can’t pop in and rescue me every time I have a low point.”

“Is this only a low point? Tex believes it’s more than that. I’m inclined to agree. You’re living in an empty apartment. There’s no food in the fridge and beer doesn’t count.”

Patch raked his hand across his face. “Come on, do we really want to share feelings? You and your wife came to a wedding and anticipated a few days alone and now you’re on babysitting duty.”

“We all need support now and again. You aren’t alone,” he reminded him.

“No. I’m not. I got Tex calling daily to check on me, a local support group twice a week, and someone from your team checks on me. How can I find time to myself,” he gritted out.

“We’re concerned, Patch. I know you experienced something horrific. You lost a great team, friends and brothers. We can’t replace them, but we’ll stand by you while you grieve their lossand heal.” Wolf parked his vehicle, and they walked toward the apartment.

Patch didn’t respond and ended the conversation.

CHAPTER FIVE

Matthew parked the truck in front of the Serenity Securities building and his home for the last year.

“You live here?” Tex asked as he exited the vehicle and stared at the massive structure.

“Yeah, Kassie offered to build me a cabin, but I’m leaving for Texas within the next year. She built us a dormitory and I stay in one of the rooms. Each team member has a bunk here to destress after a mission or prep for one. What brings you here to our small corner of the world?”

“I have a friend who needs help. I wanted to tour the hospital as it’s building a reputation as one of the best.”

He chuckled. “You won’t find a better one. Doc and his wife brought in a great staff. Kassie’s a planner and prepares for everything. She put her heart and soul into the hospital when she thought Chase and the team died on a mission.”

“She appears very similar to a woman I thought you were smitten with. Or am I mistaken?” he asked as Matthew led the way to the kitchen.

One of the team members cooked at the stove while another sat at the table with a computer with a dog at his feet.

“Things have changed since then. I want you to meet Taco and Whiskey.” He indicated the two men, who gave him a chin lift in recognition. “How about a beer?”

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