Page 49 of Nick

“Why are we both in the same room?”

“They were short on beds.”

“Why are you pissed?”

“I’m pissed because you took me out of that damn place. I know my brother is in there somewhere.”

“We went all through that place, we didn’t see any sign of anyone else. I’m talking to some people to find out why that place hasn’t been torn apart. I can’t believe they are still allowing those gang members to take over that area of the city.”

“He has to be there. I don’t care if you didn’t see him. As soon as I’m able, I’ll find him.”

“You have a broken leg and four broken ribs. You look like they put you through a meat grinder. If I have to tie you up, I will, but you are not going back there.”

“Ryker, I will throw you in the brig if you talk to me like that again.”

“You can’t throw me anywhere. You are no longer a Navy Seal, and you can’t throw me over your shoulder right now. You are going to heal, and then we’ll work together to find your brother.”

“You damn right we will. Call Seal Security. I’ll hire them.”

“We are Seal Security.”

“I want more of you here. I want all of you here.”

“I’ll call after Nick calls some high-up politicians and see what they say.”

“Scott will be dead by then. When are you talking to someone?” Ethan asked me.

“As soon as I get some sleep. This medication is starting to hit me again.”

“Give me the damn phone. I’ll call in a few of my friends. You guys can kiss my ass.”

An angry nurse walked through the door. “Who keeps ringing for a nurse?”

“I do. Get me out of this fucking room. I don’t want to be in here with these people.”

“We will move you as soon as a room is available. We have a crisis going on right now. The flu has hit our city, and many elderly are sick. You’re lucky you are not in the hallway.” She turned and walked out of the room.

“Damn, that nurse was one mean woman. Aren’t nurses supposed to be kind and sweet talking?”

We laughed hard. Even Ethan laughed. “I’m not supposed to be laughing. It’s not fair to my brother that I’m laughing while they are beating the crap out of him and breaking his bones. I can’t live with myself if I don’t do more.”

“We’ll help you find him and bring him home. But you have to get better. You can’t go with a broken leg and broken ribs. I’ll call the guys and tell them to come here. We will keep looking for Scott. But please don’t try and get out of bed to help us.”

“I’ll stay until I can get around on my leg.”

“Ok, that’s all I wanted.”

23

Opal

It’d already been a week since Nick had been gone. Julia and I missed him, but we were busy doing girl stuff. We went shopping for some new clothes for her, and clothes for our baby girl. We still hadn’t named the twins yet. I was waiting for Nick to get home to do that. It was such a wonderful feeling having a daughter who liked going places with me. I never realized how much I was missing out on.

My phone rang, and I glanced down. It was Nick. My hands had dough all over them. I grabbed a towel. Hello, Nick. Can you hear me?”

“Yes, sweetheart. We are on our way home now.”

“Did you find your friend?”

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