Page 30 of Shattered

Her heart broke a little more as she brushed a damp lock of hair away from his forehead. His face was bruised, his eyes slightly swollen but other than that he looked so peaceful, like he was only resting. She kept waiting for him to open his eyes and look at her. If he could just do that, she’d breathe easier. Why had he gone back to get those wounded men? If he hadn’t, he might be okay right now. And both airman had died of their injuries anyway, so it was all for nothing.

As soon as she thought it she reprimanded herself. Nathan was a former PJ. Running into danger to help someone else was hardwired into him. That bravery, that selflessness that had put him in this situation were also two of the qualities she loved and admired most about him. Even if he’d known what would happen, he still would have tried to save those crewmen.

A soft knock came at the door. Taya half-turned toward it. “Come in.”

It cracked open, revealing both Tuck and Matt. “We just wanted to check on you guys,” Matt said softly. He was dressed for meetings, wearing a suit instead of his tactical uniform and Chargers cap. His pale blue dress shirt was wrinkled and rumpled, completely unlike him.

“Please, come in.” She straightened, gave them a tired smile as they approached to stare down at Nathan.

“Has his status changed at all?” Tuck asked.

“No. They’re going to keep him in the coma for at least the next few days to let him rest and heal. Then they’ll do more tests and go from there.”

But the odds weren’t good. 60/40 he wouldn’t survive the next forty-eight hours, and 70/30 he’d have some degree of permanent disability if he did. She tried not to think of the numbers. The doctors didn’t know how strong her husband was. She did.

Nathan could beat those odds. She was going to make sure he did.

“Well he’s been through a lot. Give him a little time to get on the mend, and he’ll come around,” Matt said, then crossed to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “So. How are you holding up?”

Taya chewed on the inside of her cheek, appreciating that he cared. She’d been wrestling with herself for hours, trying to think of all the possible outcomes she might face in an effort to prepare herself. “To tell you the truth, I’m not sure which scares me the most—him not waking up at all, or the possibility of him waking up with permanent brain damage.”

Neither man said anything in response, but Matt squeezed her shoulder. “It’s never a bad thing to be prepared, just in case, but we all have to stay positive. And Tuck told me the news earlier. About the baby. Congratulations.”

She peered up at his handsome face, met his bright green eyes. They held kindness and concern. “Thank you. I’m trying not to worry too much, for the baby’s sake. But it’s hard.” Impossible, more like.

“Yeah. But try and remember how much he’s got to live for. He’ll fight for you and the baby with everything he’s got.”

“I know.” He wouldn’t leave them willingly.

Removing his hand from her shoulder, he set both on his hips and studied Nathan, his demeanor calm, comforting. “He looks a lot better than I expected him to, all things considered.”

“Still my hottie,” Taya murmured with a half-smile that made Matt grin.

“Have you talked to your dad?”

“Yes. He and my brother are both flying up to stay with me for a while.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes.” She couldn’t wait for them to get here. “Do you know yet what caused the crash?”

“Airport radar confirmed something hit the right inner prop just after takeoff. We think it was a large remote-control drone. It damaged the prop, but the lithium battery probably exploded on impact. The debris damaged the second prop and the wing, maybe severed the fuel line, and that could have caused an explosion.”

“A drone,” she repeated. “You mean like, someone’s toy? Or a weapon someone was trying to sabotage their flight with?”

“As of right now there’s nothing to indicate it was anything but a tragic accident with a civilian drone. The flight was arranged last minute. Anyone looking to target us wouldn’t have had time to plan anything. It was just a freak accident. And whoever was operating the drone shouldn’t have been flying it anywhere near the base. It’s restricted airspace. Investigators are looking for leads. When they find the person, charges will be laid.”

Charges weren’t going to bring her husband back.

Taya shook her head. Unbelievable. Someone flying his toy drone before the crack of fucking dawn near a runway had caused all of this. And if Nathan’s plane had taken off either a few seconds earlier or later, none of this would have happened. How sadly ironic that after all he’d done and all the harrowing missions he’d undertaken, a civilian drone had done this to him.

“What about the mission they were supposed to do?” When Nathan woke up, he would want to know.

“Gold Team is handling it,” Matt said. “I’ll be heading to Atlanta in the morning, but you can reach me anytime on my cell.”

For some reason, the thought of him leaving made her feel even more alone. Maybe because Nathan worshipped and looked up to him so much. Almost like a father figure. “Thank you.”

“Taya, you need anything?” Tuck asked from the foot of the bed.

---