Page 6 of The Unbuttoned Ranger
Sharp pinned each of the other men with a firm frown.“Let’s follow orders, for now.” As expected, he got a few irritated sighs in response.“I can promise you, if I don’t see things rolling fast enough, I’ll be the first one that starts a crusade. I want every one of you to lay low per orders. Consider it a much-needed vacation. Do what Delta suggested and visit family, you know those people that we love and love us.”
“He talked you into this?” Hawkeye said.
“He didn’t talk me into anything. I agreed. If there’s anyone at the bureau that we can trust, we know it’s Delta. Let’s give him a chance to tie up some loose ends on his side. In the meantime, we’ll stay in touch.”
Reluctantly, they each agreed. They filed out of the room, already chatting about grabbing a beer at the local bar and unwinding.
“You coming, Sharp?” Bear asked.
“I don’t think I’ll make it this time. I have some things I need to take care of.”
Grimes lingered.
“What’s on your mind?” Sharp asked.
“Are you serious? You think we should follow orders?”
Sharp shrugged.“The suits are watching us like hawks. We know how they are. When things are good, they want the recognition, but when things go sour, they wash their hands of the problem.”
“I hear ya and I see your point. You know these men look up to you. They respect Delta, but they’ll follow your orders.”
Sharp felt like he was jammed between a rock and a hard place. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. Right now, though, he wanted to protect his team.“Stay low but keep your head on a swivel. Give it a week or two and we’ll touch base.”
“What’s your gut telling you?” Grimes asked.
Sharp thought over his words.“I have a few theories, but instinct is telling me to stay back and watch for a minute. Sometimes taking a breath gives you the best perspective.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
CHAPTER THREE
Sharp felt a sense of dread he didn’t want to experience as he strolled down the corridor of the hospital toward Echo’s room. Spending three weeks in the recovery unit himself had been like a bad dream for Sharp. The staff had all been welcoming, but for a man who liked his freedom being confined in a dank room for any amount of time was too close to prison for his taste.
Already breaking the news to Zane who took it like a champ, he saved Echo for last. He was a man who lived by his own rules.
“Back already?”
Sharp’s gaze found the smiling nurse standing behind the counter at the nurse’s station. Bethany was her name. A cute blonde with deep dimples and a nice body that even the scrubs didn’t hide. She’d flirted with him on occasion, but Sharp had kept his distance.“Just here to see Echo. How’s he behaving?”
“Maybe you can calm him down this morning. He’s been causing the nurses problems.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Too bad you’re not a patient still. You’re missed on the floor.” She winked.
“Thanks, but I want to put this place behind me.”
Her bottom lip puckered.“Ouch.” Her eyes glistened.
Sharp started to respond when he heard a commotion down the hall.“What the hell?”
“There’s your boy again. Throwing a four alarm hissy fit,” she hummed.
About halfway down the hall he saw the cause of all the chaos. A circle of nurses had Echo cornered. He was buck naked and didn’t seem a bit concerned with the idea.
“Get back to your room, Echo, or we’re going to have to sedate you,” one of the veteran nurses warned him.
“If I told you once I’ve told you a hundred times,” his speech was a bit slurred.“No one’s giving me a sponge bath.” His scowl warned that he was dead serious.
