Chapter 41

41

Through a haze of pain, Kate saw another figure fly through the opening the snowmobile had made. Even in her distress, she could tell the man moved like a trained operative. He crouched next to Fenn, and miracle of miracles, helped him to his feet.

Dear, Sweet Jesus, thank you . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you .

She muttered the short prayer over and over and over.

An instant later, Tai and Graham and Mason and the team burst through the gash, their ARs at the ready. Tai and Graham flanked the scene, their eyes scanning for threats, while Mason continued forward, stalking into the room with his M4 in firing position.

"You good?" he asked as he headed past her toward the gash Hawk had burst through.

Kate could only nod, her throat tight with emotion. Fenn's tactical vest. Hawk had miscalculated.

But what about Hawk?

She gritted her teeth against another wave of pain and eyed the room. No sign of him. He must have slipped out from under her.

Gone.

Back through the secret entrance.

And then Fenn was rushing toward her.

"Be right back," he said as he rushed past, his voice tight with urgency.

Kate tried to rise, but stabbing pain shot down the right side of her body, stealing her breath. She gritted her teeth, her vision blurring as she fought to stay conscious.

Mason grabbed Fenn's arm before he could follow Hawk through the gash. "Negatory, bro. Too dangerous. Steele could have booby traps laid out. Or reinforcements. We have no idea what you'd be walking into."

Everything was still muted from the gunshots, but she had no trouble hearing Fenn argue, his face flushed with anger and frustration, but then he met Kate's gaze.

"Don't," she begged him, her voice barely above a whisper.

He hesitated, his jaw clenched, but finally, he nodded and sank down next to her. "It's okay," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Even though it very much wasn't, she appreciated the sentiment.

He hugged her hard, wrapping his arm around her right side, sending a shard of pain spiking through her chest. She screamed.

He pulled back instantly, his eyes wide with concern.

She sagged against him, her head spinning. "Shoulder. Dislocated."

Without hesitation, Fenn began unzipping her parka to take a look. She shivered as the cold air hit her skin, but his touch was gentle as he assessed the damage.

He called over Graham, their best medic.

While Graham examined her shoulder, Fenn used his tactical knife to unlock the handcuffs. "Cheesy set," he joked, his lips twitching in a half-smile.

Despite the pain, Kate felt a rush of affection. She loved the way he always tried to lighten the mood, even in the direst of circumstances.

While he distracted her with his gentle teasing, Graham applied traction to her arm.

"Not gonna lie, baby girl. This is gonna hurt," he warned an instant before he shoved her upper arm back toward her ear. With a sickening pop, her shoulder slid back into place.

Then came the pain. Her vision went white, and she teetered on the edge of consciousness, stomach churning.

Fenn's arms tightened around her, anchoring her to reality. "I've got you," he insisted, his voice fierce with protectiveness.

From his position at the gash where Hawk had disappeared, Tai called out to them. "We need to hurry. Let's get outside."

Fenn helped Kate to her feet, taking most of her weight as they made their way across the room toward the exit. She leaned heavily against him, her legs shaky and her head pounding.

The stairs were killer, but she made it to the upper floor and out past the still-chugging generator. As they emerged into the endless night, the bitter cold stinging her face, relief stole what little strength she had left.

She was alive. And so was Fenn.

Battered and bruised, but alive.