Page 5 of Guarded

“Suspect deceased,” Tuck announced a moment later. “Room clear. All remaining hostages secured.”

Matt allowed himself a deep breath. “Copy that. Anyone hurt?”

“Remaining hostages appear okay. Schroder’s looking at them now.”

“Copy. Good work.” It was always such a relief when ops went this smoothly, though they rarely did, and he was acutely aware of the lives taken today.

It took a couple more hours to get everything wrapped up on his end so he could debrief the team, file the paperwork and head for the airport. He called Briar on the way but got her voicemail. He wasn’t even sure if she was home yet. For all he knew, she was still in West Virginia with Rycroft, who understandably couldn’t seem to take that final step into retirement. She loved working with him because she got to put her impressive and deadly skill set to use.

“Hey, it’s me. All good here and I’m on my way home. You back yet? Should be there by seven or so. Love you.”

He slid his phone back into his pocket and leaned his head back to take a snooze. The Bureau-chartered plane was still on the runway but the rest of the guys were already sound asleep in their seats.

All except for Schroder, who was staring out the window at the runway like his life depended on it, hands gripping the armrests in what Matt was sure was a death grip.

And no wonder, given what had happened a few months back.

Matt got up and walked back to take the seat next to Schroder. This was the second flight they’d taken since the crash that had nearly cost Schroder his life and temporarily blinded him, so no surprise he was having a tough time. Matt had been so wrapped up in intel reports on the hostage situation on the way down here that he hadn’t thought to check on his medic. “This is like flying first class compared to a C-130, huh?”

Schroder acknowledged him with a forced smile and broke eye contact, clearly embarrassed as he released the armrests and folded his arms. “Yeah.”

The plane’s engines powered up and they began their acceleration down the runway. Schroder visibly tensed. Matt hadn’t been with the team when the C-130 carrying them hit a civilian drone and crashed on takeoff. Matt glanced past him out the window. “Nothing but clear blue sky out there.”

“I’m good,” Schroder said without looking at him.

The plane’s nose lifted and Schroder was still rigid in his seat. Matt needed to distract him. “Won’t get much sleep when you get home now that you’ve got a newborn in the house. You should take advantage while you can.”

Schroder glanced at him as the plane lifted into the sky, then across the aisle at Bauer and Tuck, who were both fast asleep. “I gave Bauer a hard time about the whole fatherhood thing just before the accident that day. But he was right about the no sleep thing. Don’t want him to see me crumble.”

Matt chuckled. “He’s out cold, and you should be too. How’s Taya doing with you being away the first time since little man came along?”

A soft smile dissolved the tension on the former PJ’s face. “She’s in her glory. Tired, but loving it. We both are. I can’t wait to get home.”

“Glad to hear it.”

The plane shuddered as they hit a pocket of turbulence. Schroder’s face tightened briefly, his gaze darting back out the window.

Matt stretched his legs out. “Mind if I sit here for the rest of the flight? More leg room in this row.”

As he’d intended, Schroder looked back over at him. “Of course, go ahead.”

“Thanks.”

Schroder looked out the window again but the plane was climbing steadily now, the air smoother. Matt eased his seat back the whopping three inches it allowed and pulled the bill of his cap down over his face, secretly watching Schroder out of the corner of his eye. A minute later the medic finally relaxed, leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Perfect.

After a nonstop two days on the job with little sleep, Matt was tired, but his brain wouldn’t stop spinning. Like Schroder, he couldn’t wait to get home. He missed his wife.

They’d only been apart five days this time, which was nothing. But something had been nagging at him a while now. He and Briar definitely needed a few days away together to reconnect. They hadn’t had much time together as a couple recently, due to their jobs and conflicting schedules.

Not okay. He knew better than most people just how short life could be, and that he couldn’t let this pattern continue. He’d lost too much already and made a point of regularly reminding himself what was truly important in life.

His wife. His family, and his teams, who he also considered part of his extended family. Everything else was just distraction and noise.

Briar was still such a mystery to him in a lot of ways, even now after being married for nearly a year. Her past made it hard for her to trust and open up, let alone lean on anyone, including him. It frustrated him sometimes.

He’d also never considered himself to be much of a romantic before, but compared to her he was. So he would take the reins on this one and plan something special for the two of them this week. Although for her, romantic was camping out deep in the woods someplace and shooting together. Was it any wonder why he loved her?

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