Page 50 of Legacy's Destiny

“It was needed.” Deacon shrugged on his shirt. Damn, if he flexed his arms, he’d split the seam. “I need to get back to Echo. Is there anything else?”

“No. Just get me the full details of the operation as soon as possible. Please add any details in the outbrief you think I should be aware of. You and your team will return with Ronan and his team for R&R the day after tomorrow. I’ll get Click to start your transportation plan.”

“Thank you. Take care of yourself, Uncle Jacob.”

“Will do. Say, have you seen all of Panther team?”

Deacon chuckled. “Yep. Wraith is doing great. He and Ranger were hanging out.” Of the helicopter, but Deacon didn’t figure Wraith’s dad needed to know that.

“Thanks,” Jacob said simply. “Alpha’s clear.”

Deacon patted the pockets of his filthy uniform to ensure nothing was left, pocketed his wallet and cell phone, and tossed the grimy fabric into the garbage bin in the room. He tugged at his shirt with little effect. “Whatever.” He opened the door and walked to the small examination room where Echo was using the attached bathroom to shower. He attracted a lot of looks from the staff and people in the hallway.Yeah, I’d look, too. He chuckled and opened the door, making his way to the small bathroom. He’d only been away briefly but needed to check on her to see if she was okay or needed anything. The desire to protect her from anything and everything was intensely ingrained into his psyche. The feeling was stronger and more intense than any attraction he'd experienced. What he felt for Echo was unique and, if he were honest, a bit scary.

CHAPTER 15

Echo luxuriated in the confines of the small hospital shower. The hot water bounced off her shoulders and cascaded down her back, soothing the ache in her muscles. The antiseptic-smelling shampoo she’d been given foamed in her hair as she scrubbed it clean, the scent sharp and clinical. She had to bend awkwardly to wash her long hair, a reminder that she towered over the locals at five foot ten. The shower stall was barely big enough to accommodate her, and the cramped space made her movements clumsy.

She whacked her elbow on the tiled wall, and the soap she’d been holding shot out of her hand like a bar of oiled ice. It hit the floor with a resoundingthwack.

“Dammit,” she muttered, carefully squatting down to retrieve it, mindful not to knock her head on the shower head.

“Are you okay in there?” Deacon’s voice boomed through the thin bathroom door, startling her. She could practically hear the smirk in his tone.

“Yeah, I just dropped the soap,” she called back, chuckling softly. “I’d invite you in to help me find it, but, quite frankly, there isn’t enough room in here for me, let aloneyou.”

The shower curtain rustled as Deacon tugged it open just enough to peek his head through. His freshly washed hair was slicked back, and water dripped off the ends onto the floor. He grinned at her, his dark eyes dancing with mischief.

“Yeah, I know,” he said. “I think I had to wash half my body at a time in the other bathroom. But it’s good to be clean.” His grin widened into a smirk.

“Amen!” she replied, her voice light with humor. “I’ll be done in just a sec.”

“I’ll let the staff know you’ll be ready shortly.”

“Thank you.”

When they’d first arrived at the hospital, the staff ushered them straight to the showers. It was clear that this had been coordinated in advance. Echo felt profoundly grateful for the opportunity to wash away the jungle's grime, sweat, and mud. Living in field conditions had taken its toll, and while she prided herself on being tough, she couldn’t deny the sheer bliss of a hot shower. Perhaps that office chair had softened her more than she cared to admit.

The water sputtered as she turned it off and grabbed the small, stiff towel hanging nearby. It felt more like sandpaper than cotton, but she made do, patting herself dry. The scrubs she’d been given were an unflattering shade of pastel pink and at least two inches too short, exposing her ankles. She rolled her eyes at the outfit but slipped into them anyway. Function over fashion.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she found Deacon waiting for her in matching green scrubs. The pants were far too short for his tall frame, stopping at the tops of his boots. Ever resourceful, he’d tucked them into his boots, creating a look that was part combat-ready and part hospital chic.

“That’s a unique look,” she teased, her lips twitching into a smile.

He grunted, adjusting the waistband of the too-tight scrubs. “Wait until you put your boots on.”

She sighed dramatically. “Do I have to? No offense, but I'll be happy if I never see those boots again.”

He grimaced. “We’ve got clothes being delivered to the hotel. Unfortunately, until we get there, we’ll be stuck in these.” He gestured to their scrubs. “Apparently, the staff didn’t think putting our old uniforms back on and wandering around the city was a good idea.” His wry smile made her laugh.

“I’m sure I’ll survive the embarrassment of high-water scrubs.” She climbed onto the small stool at the end of the exam table and sat down, swinging her legs slightly. “You know, I really don’t need to be seen by a doctor.”

Deacon crossed the room to her in two long strides, and she instinctively spread her legs, letting him step between them. He cupped her cheek with one hand, his gaze soft but serious.

“I just want to make sure,” he said quietly. “A few tests, a couple of X-rays—just to help me sleep at night.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. She adored this man. He was so tough, absolutely brutal when he needed to be, but asking her to ease his mind by submitting to a few medical tests. Yet, her inner sarcasm wouldn’t stay hidden. She lifted her eyebrows and said, “I thought I had a way to help you sleep at night. One that doesn’t include X-rays or tests.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, her mischievous grin making him chuckle.

“Actually, we don’t sleep much. Have you noticed that?”

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