Page 30 of Grid Search

“Lyn, I’m on my way. Where is Sayler?”

“Killed him, but Cherise could come to.”

“I’m landing now.”

“I love…you.” I barely get the words out before succumbing to the darkness. I can hear my name being screamed, but I just pray that JJ is safe.

Chapter Fourteen

RYKER

We are out of the helicopter and running for the cabin. I’m glad there was a big enough spot in the parking lot for me to put down. I beat my brother and cousin to the door, ready to kick it in, but then I remember that night when Lyn collapsed. Instead of rushing in, I twist the knob as they come up behind me. Carefully, I push the door open. My eyes land on Cherise standing in the doorway of a room, a gun aimed directly at me. I react and fire at the same time as Logan. Her body falls backward, and I see the blood trail on the floor.

Turning, I find my wife unconscious on the sofa. I rush to her and drop to my knees. Gently rolling her, I see our son nursing at her breast, but her breathing is shallow. I check her pulse. It’s faint. She’s naked, and I notice blood pooling around her. Pulling back the blanket, I look to see if she’s been shot, but instead, I find the blood is coming from between her thighs. She could be hemorrhaging.

“Call the air ambulance,” I command. I won’t be able to fly her myself. I’m too worried about her.

By the time the paramedics arrive, my concern has shifted to both my son and wife. He isn’t crying much, and he’s barely nursing at all. I hope he’s just falling asleep, exhaustedfrom nursing and the stress of his early birth. After attaching monitors to Lynae, the paramedics strap her to the board. I carry my son to the waiting chopper and climb up next to the crew.

We make it to Flagstaff within minutes, and I’m relieved to see both of them still alive. The nurses take JJ from my arms and lead Lynae away from me. I begin pacing, the weight of everything pressing down on me, as my brother and the rest of my family arrive.

“Sayler and Cherise are dead. We also found Ken’s body. He’s been dead for a while.” Logan informs me.

“Good riddance,” I say, not wanting to think of what they did to my wife before she killed them.

We wait. I’m on the verge of losing it when a doctor finally walks in. He pulls off his surgical cap, and we approach him.

“They are both alive. Mrs. Murphy had fentanyl in her system, along with oxytocin. Her labor was quick and intense, so we’ll need to monitor her for any effects. We checked for a rupture or any retained placenta causing the bleeding. It was just trauma from the speed at which labor was induced. We’ll have to wait and see if there are any long-term effects that could impact her ability to have more children, but we’re hopeful. She is strong and should recover.” He looks directly at me. “Your son is also very strong. He’s small but would’ve been a larger baby if he’d made it to full term. We have him under observation as well. We cleaned him up and will be monitoring him for lung and virus issues.”

“When can I see them?”

My mother pats my arm as Isla wraps her arms around me, giving me their support.

“They are being moved to a room right now. You’ll be able to go up there in a bit.”

“Thank you.” I shake his hand and then turn for my mother to hug me too. I’m scared and worried about the future, but I’m so damn glad they are both alive.

My head rests at her hip as I look up her body, watching her chest rise and fall. I don’t know if this fear will ever leave me. At least I didn’t have to watch paramedics give my wife CPR like Rowdy had to with Coral. Watching her bleed out was horrifying enough.

Her face is soft as she sleeps. The doctor reset her nose, and she has bruising under her eyes from Sayler hitting her. I’m glad my girl sent him to hell. She took the choice out of my hands; otherwise, I would have drawn his death out. The need to torture him has been great.

I watch as Lyn’s eyes flutter and her face screws up. I touch her arm, and she jolts awake with a scream.

“Ryker, Jared,” she yells, her voice hoarse.

“I’m here, baby.” I reassure her. She turns panicked eyes on me as her hands go to her nearly flat stomach, and she cries harder. “Shh, baby.” I stand up and place my hands on her cheeks, trying to get her focus on me. “He’s right here, sleeping.” Her eyes bounce around the room until she sees Isla holding him. My sister and parents haven’t left my side.

“I tried. I fought them, but they drugged me. They took him from me.”

“I know, sweetheart. You are amazing. You are both alive because of you. Even my mom is alive because of you.” Her eyes focus on my father, who is holding Mom in his arms as she cries.

“Jared.” Lyn turns back to Isla.

“The baby’s name is Jared?” My father chokes on the words.

I keep a hold of my wife as I slip onto the bed with her. Isla hands her Jared, and she holds him to her chest.

We both look at my dad. “Cat’s out of the bag. His name is Jared Jaden Murphy—JJ for short. We talked to Rowdy, and he loved it.”

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