Page 95 of Lost Hope

“I taught you a lot of things,” the admiral said quietly, standing over his former friend. “But you never did learn not to underestimate the people around you.”

The world spun again, and this time Ronan couldn’t fight it. As his knees buckled, all he could think was: I failed. Should have been me saving her. Should have ...

The last thing he heard before consciousness fled was Maya’s voice: “Ronan! Stay with us!”

Yeah. About that.

He had so much to say to her. So much.

Don’t leave.It was all he could do to lift the words up to the Almighty.Please. Lord, don’t let her leave.

48

FIGHTING CHANCE

The planes toucheddown at Hope Landing just before dawn, the sky turning pearl-gray over the mountains. Maya closed her eyes briefly, lifting a quiet prayer of thanks. For survival. For success. For the unconscious man being tended by Kenji two rows ahead.

“He’ll be okay,” Kenji said, catching her worried look. His usually stoic expression softened. “Trust me, I’ve patched this idiot up more times than I can count. The fever’s already responding to treatment.”

“You sure?” Izzy called from behind them. “Because I still owe him for that prank in Buenos Aires, and if he thinks dying will get him out of it?—”

“Nobody’s dying,” Deke cut in, but his attempt at sternness was undermined by his grin. “Though I’d pay good money to see that prank revenge.”

“Focus, children,” Zara drawled, but Maya caught her checking Ronan’s vitals for the hundredth time.

The moment the cargo ramp lowered, their little convoy was swarmed. Maya’s father broke through first, but instead of the lecture she’d braced for, he just pulled her into a fierce hug.

“You’re okay,” he whispered.

“Told you I’d be careful,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

“Careful?” came Mike’s voice as he and Kate pushed through. “Is that what we’re calling black market identity sales and explosions these days?”

“Don’t forget kidnapping,” Axel added helpfully.

Maya groaned. “Not helping.”

Ronan’s mother pushed past them in a cloud of lavender perfume. “My boy,” she whispered, reaching for her son’s hand as Kenji wheeled his stretcher past. Her eyes were wet, but her voice was steady. “Always fighting everyone’s battles.”

“We’ve got him, Mrs. Q,” Griff assured her, appearing at her side like a protective shadow. “Kenji’s the best. Even if he is way too smug about it.”

“I heard that,” Kenji called over his shoulder.

“You were meant to!”

“Children,” the admiral’s voice cut through the banter, warm with amusement. He approached with his wife on his arm, both of them looking tired but radiant. The newly-reunited couple couldn’t seem to stop stealing glances at each other. “Let’s get our patient inside before you start the comedy routine.”

“John,” Minerva chided gently, “let them have their moment.” Her eyes softened as she looked at Ronan. “Though perhaps we should move this inside. I believe I owe this young man and his friends a considerable debt.”

“We all do,” the admiral said quietly.

Maya watched as Ronan’s team fell into formation around his stretcher—Griff, Kenji, Izzy, Deke, Axel, and Zara—moving with the unconscious synchronization of people who’d trusted each other with their lives for years.

“They’re something else, aren’t they?” Kate said, coming to stand beside Maya. “Even after everything that happened with the discharge ... they never wavered. Not once.”

“Family,” Mike agreed, his arm around his wife. “The real kind.”

“Speaking of family,” Minerva said, her eyes twinkling as she looked between Maya and Ronan, “I do hope you’ll all be staying close. We’re planning a little get together as soon as Ronan’s up for it.”

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