Page 4 of Raven's Nest
Saylor inhaled as she bolted upright, lines and stitches tugging against her skin. She held that breath, swaying as pain shot through her back, then into her chest, dimming the room until it was all she could do just to sit there and breathe.
Someone cursed, then bridged her weight, shoving a couple pillows behind her back as they grunted. “If you pull out your stitches or fall over that railing, the doctor’s gonna put you back into an induced coma.”
Saylor waited for the room to stabilize, then focused on the person’s face. She blinked a few times, a name tumbling over in her head before she relaxed. “Mac?”
Mackenzie Parker, Coast Guard pilot and Saylor’s best friend, smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You remember, this time. That’s good.”
“This time?”
Two words — three including Mackenzie’s name — and it had drained her. Had black streaks cutting in from the sides of her vision.
Mac sighed. “You opened your eyes a couple times, but you weren’t really awake. Not that you look like you’re gonna last more than a few minutes, now. But at least, you seem more aware.”
“What…”
Had talking always hurt this much? Pulsed pain through her temples? Had her chest constricting around each breath?
Mac frowned. “You don’t remember?”
Saylor shook her head.
“What’s the last thing you do remember?”
Saylor swallowed. “Boarding theVigilantfor an inspection with Rear Admiral Maddox, then…”
Mac pursed her lips. “That was three weeks ago.”
“Three…” Saylor frowned. “Was there a storm?”
She palmed her head, crying out as pain shot through her temples, more images trying to claw free. Lights on the water. The missing lifeboat. Blood soaking her clothes.
Mac paled. “Easy. It’s not important. The doctor said you might have memory issues for a while. But they’ll likely return over time. Rest. We’ll try again once you’re stronger.”
Saylor snagged Mac’s hand, holding it tight until Mac leaned over her. She wet her lips, hoping she got out all the words before she faded. “What about Maddox? Where’s everyone else?”
Mac pursed her lips, eyes glassy as she gave Saylor’s hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Saylor, they’re all dead.”
CHAPTER ONE
Raven’s Cliff, a year later…
“Hey Foster. Looks like Zain’s been getting some private boating lessons from our resident ex-Coast Guard officer, because I thought for sure he’d have us capsized within the first mile.”
Zain Everett chuckled, flipping off Chase Remington as he piloted Foster’s boat across the choppy waves. The sun edged toward the horizon, the thickening clouds promising more rain. Not that the inbound system would impact their trip home. Just a stark reminder how turbulent the Pacific Ocean was at any given time. Even at the tail end of winter, storms raged across the water, laying siege to any unsuspecting vessel.
Zain glanced at Chase over his shoulder. “If you want a turn, brother, just say.”
Chase waved him off as he tipped his beer at him. “Got all I need right here. Besides, I’m not sure how youcan see straight. After a full shift yesterday, then getting called to that multi-car pileup last night…” Chase sighed as he leaned back, the last rays of light catching the left side of his face. “I’m bagged.”
Kash Sinclair, resident dog handler, snorted. “That’s because you’ve gone soft, buddy.”
Chase tossed an empty beer can at Kash. “Says the guys who slept the entire way out.”
Kash smiled. “I wasn’t the only one.”
“Nyx doesn’t count. She’s always sleeping.”
Kash gave Nyx a scratch behind the ears when the German Shepherd raised her head as her name sounded around them. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just sore because the ladies are doing a prisoner transfer to Providence and couldn’t come.”
