Page 75 of Raven's Nest
He smiled at her. “I’ll let a doctor check me out… Once I know everyone’s safe.”
“Or we’ll let the doctor decide the order. Either way, it’s gonna be a long night.”
It took another ten minutes of Saylor riding thewaves and dodging danger before the dock appeared off the bow. Waves shot over the pier, a section of the parking lot already starting to flood.
Foster raced ahead, landing at the far end as Saylor worked the throttle, somehow maneuvering the boat into the slip without crashing. Chase jumped out, tripped onto one knee before picking himself up — tying off the lines. He gave Greer a hand up, then helped Zain lift Maddox clear. The bastard roused, muttering something before Zain knocked him out with a quick strike.
Chase chuckled. “I think I can take him the rest of the way before you accidentally drop him on his head… In the ocean.”
Zain turned, frowning at Saylor still standing at the helm, gaze fixed straight ahead. Her hands locked around the wheel. He climbed back in, half-wondering if his ribs would simply poke out through his vest as he made his way back to the helm. “Saylor?”
It took a few moments before she blinked, then looked over him. “Hey.”
“C’mon. We need to get you out of those wet clothes and into something warm and dry.”
She nodded but didn’t release the wheel. “I can’t seem to let go.”
Shit.
He moved in behind and gently pried her fingers free. “Christ, they’re like blocks of ice.”
She took a step, buckled. He caught her before she fell, gathering her into his arms.
She shook her head. “Your ribs.”
“Aren’t killing me, yet.”
He picked his way to the side, thanking Kash when his buddy gave him a hand up. Kash arched a brow, but Zain struck off, made a beeline for the chopper. Foster mumbled something that resembled, “Stubborn,” as he waited for Zain to strip off Saylor’s outer most layer and wrap her in a blanket before pitching the bird forward as he barely cleared the trees, then banked the machine northward.
Saylor burrowed against Zain, one frozen hand resting on his chest, her head nestled against his shoulder. She glanced up at him, eyes glassy, slightly unfocused. “God, you’re handsome.”
He chuckled. “I see we’ve reached the delusional stage of hypothermia.”
“Nope, it’s all you.” She sighed, her eyes drifting shut. “I really do love you.”
He froze, her words bouncing around in his head before they finally took shape — sank in. He shifted his focus to her face, but her eyes remained closed, her body lax against his. “Saylor.”
She hummed but didn’t open her eyes.
“Chase. She’s out.”
His buddy shifted over, grunting with every small movement. He took her temperature, muttering under his breath. “She’s low. I’ll crack open some heat packs, just don’t let them touch her skin. And keep trying to rouse her until we reach the hospital.”
Zain held her close, talking softly to her until Foster flared off the speed and landed at the helipad. A trauma team opened the doors, shuffling people onto chairs andgurneys. Zain walked beside Saylor, getting all the way into the treatment room before tanking to the left. Crashing into Kash when his buddy stopped him from continuing all the way to the floor.
Kash tsked, bracing Zain’s weight until Jordan grabbed a wheelchair — hauled him into another room. Kash helped him onto the exam table, crossing his arms when Zain tried to stand. “Sit your ass down until someone says you’re not dying.”
Zain scoffed. “I bruised my ribs, I’m fine.”
“And as soon as someone with a few letters after their name confirms that, I’ll let you pass.”
“Thanks,Gandalf, but I don’t need someone to tell me what I already know.”
“That you’ve got broken ribs? Possible internal bleeding?”
Zain huffed, grabbing his side when he swore something sliced through his skin. “Shit.”
“We’re way past that.” Kash helped him back, motioning for Jordan to grab someone. “Relax. Try to breathe. Foster and Mac are watching over Saylor. Looks like it’s mostly the hypothermia with some bruising on her side. Not a damn roadmap like yours, but she’s gonna be sore for a while.”
