23. Mercy

"Did you take your medicine?"

"Yes, dear," I said, smiling up at Chase and batting my eyes as he grabbed the last of our measly things for the road.

"Don't give me that shit. I already almost lost you once because of your heart condition. I don't need to go through that again."

I grabbed his arm, stopping him from walking away. "I know you're worried, but don't treat me like that. You got me the meds, and I wouldn't be stupid enough not to take them. I know what happens if I don't."

He dropped the bag and gripped me around the back of the neck. "Maybe you're used to all of this shit, but I'm not. So, if I need to reassure myself that you're doing everything fucking possible to ensure you're healthy, then I'll fucking do it."

I smacked his hand away, irritated with his attitude. Last night, I didn't mind the way he talked to me and forced orgasm after orgasm, but nobody had a right to lecture me.

"Chase, you need to get something clear in your head right now. My parents started acting like they controlled me and all it did was push me further away. I know you need reassurances, but taking this high-handed approach will only make me run. I'm a doctor and I've been through this before. Don't for one second think you can push me around."

"And I'm just supposed to take the back seat in all this and pretend like it's no big deal?"

"Yes, because I'm an adult and I can take care of myself."

"Not based on what happened in the jungle."

My nostrils flared in annoyance. "If you're going to bring that up for every argument, then we're going to have a problem. My life is not yours to rule."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "That's funny because I thought me being a part of your life gave me certain perks like having some fucking say in how you treat your body when you know it could kill you!"

"I would never do anything to myself to?—"

"Are you fucking serious?" he exploded. "You would never do anything except wander out into the jungle when you know one bad infection could kill you!"

I was so fucking pissed right now. What happened to the man who joked and teased with me? Where was the man who had a control on his anger? "Chase, I'm warning you, back off."

"Not a fucking chance in hell. Your life is tied to mine. If anything happens to you, that's it for me. Don't you get that?"

"No, I don't," I snapped. "We haven't known each other for long enough for me to feel comfortable with you putting these demands on me."

"Get used to it because that's not changing anytime soon." He turned and grabbed the bag he dropped and hoisted it over his shoulder as he strode away.

I was so fucking pissed, but didn't know how to argue with a man who clearly couldn't see the gigantic mistake he was making. And where had all that come from? In the time I'd known him—which wasn't long, granted—he had never once lost his temper like that. Even Patrick said he was like a different person around me, so what triggered him to act out like that?

"Everything okay?" Patrick asked.

"No." I thought about not saying anything, but this was too important. "Patrick, you said Chase was different around me. Did you only notice a difference when he was in the jungle?"

"Yeah, only when he's around you. Why?"

I couldn't put my finger on it, but something else had to be going on. "There have been a few times that Chase has said he had a feeling about something, but he won't expand on that. And the first motel we stopped at, he said a friend helped him. Do you know who that friend would be?"

Patrick shook his head slightly, then stopped. "Maybe. But…"

"But what?"

"Our teammate Asher left. He's the only one I know that Chase would go to for help. But none of us knows where he is."

"He told me about him. I hadn't considered he would go to him," I said, chewing my lip.

"He told you about Asher?"

"Yeah, is that unusual?"

"Not necessarily," he replied. "Maybe— we should go."

I looked up and saw Chase watching us. This wasn't the time to have this conversation, but I had to figure out what was going on with Chase. Because if this was the real him, we didn't stand a chance. I didn't do ultimatums, and if someone tried to shove me into a corner, I shut down.

Fox slung his arm around me as we headed to the car. I had the urge to shrug him off, not because he was bothering me, but because Chase looked like he wanted to murder him. That wasn't something I needed to deal with right now.

"Is there something I need to know?" Chase asked as I walked up to the car.

"Your lady love was just walking with me. I think she?—"

"I don't give a fuck what you think," Chase snarled.

Stepping out from under Fox's arm, I got in Chase's face. "Whatever it is that has you acting like this, it needs to stop."

"We already discussed this."

"No, you decided to be a royal jackass. Don't push me, Chase. I'll walk out of your life and never come back."

"Don't threaten me."

"Then don't give me ultimatums. Until you can talk to me like the man from yesterday, don't even open your mouth."

I strode past him without another word, climbing into the very back of the minivan to escape him. When everyone was in the van, Fox cleared his throat from the driver's side.

"Well, this should be a fun ride."

The hours creptby in silence. Fox occasionally tried to start up a conversation, but he gave up after the fifth attempt. Nick moved to the back with me so he could lay down somewhat. He slept most of the way which gave me a reprieve from having to make conversation. It wasn't until we stopped for dinner that I finally gave up the notion that I could remain silent the whole way.

Chase was waiting for me as I climbed out of the back. The look on his face was more regretful than anything. "How are you?"

"Starving," I admitted, stretching out my back.

"It's not much," he said, glancing at the diner.

"It's food. That's all I care about."

He placed his hand on my back and guided me inside. Whatever bad mood he was in, it must have receded as the day went on. We were seated at a large table toward the front of the restaurant, in prime view of the parking lot. Nick eased down in his seat, looking a little worse for wear.

"Are we staying in a hotel tonight?" I asked cheerily.

"I was thinking we'd drive straight through," Chase answered, tipping his coffee mug at the incoming waitress.

With one glance at Nick, I knew that wouldn't be possible. Chase followed my gaze and frowned. Nick was slumped in his seat, barely keeping his eyes open. The minivan, while comfortable, was not conducive to healing.

"But we can stop somewhere."

"Maybe someplace with a nice big tub?" I grinned, trying to keep the mood light.

"Just as long as the tub is separate from my room," Patrick grumbled, reminding Chase of what happened.

I internally winced, hoping Chase wouldn't explode at the table and embarrass me, but instead he grinned.

"I think Patrick learned his lesson about you and tubs."

Relief flooded me, but I didn't dare tease Chase or Patrick in case it had the opposite effect.

"Yeah, that's great and all, but the real question is if they have shawarma here," Fox said, plucking a menu from the holder.

The waitress walked over with a pot of coffee and started pouring. "Hey, y'all. What can I get you this evening besides coffee?"

"Can I have a lemon water?" I asked, smiling at her in return.

"Any chance you have shawarma?" Fox asked.

"What is shawarma?"

"Fox, they don't have it," Chase interjected.

"It's worth asking."

"This is a diner. They have sandwiches and?—"

"And a bunch of greasy food," the waitress cackled. "I can get you anything like that."

"Why don't you ask for Funyuns?" Patrick grinned. "I'm sure they could help you out."

Fox slumped in his seat, clearly depressed about everything in the world. "I don't eat Funyuns anymore. Man, this being on the road sucks. Nobody has anything I want to eat."

"What about a salad?" I asked.

"I'll come back in a few minutes when you've had a chance to look over the menu," the waitress said, clearly bored with our conversation.

Fox sighed heavily, tossing aside the menu. "I knew I should have brought those little jars of Caviart."

I could have sworn I heard him wrong. "Caviar?"

"No, Caviart. It's a seaweed based caviar. Delicious and goes great with plant-based canapés."

I cringed at the thought of anything plant-based and seaweed. Was that really a thing? "Wouldn't that be sort of messy on the road?"

"Messy, but so fulfilling," he sighed.

I scoured the menu desperately for anything that looked plant-based, but came up empty. "Maybe they have almond milk."

"I would prefer cashew milk," he said glumly.

Man, the poor guy couldn't catch a break.

"You're losing too much weight," Patrick noticed. "Don't you think it's time to start eating…normal food again?"

"I do eat normal food," Fox retorted. "I'm at one with nature and I take care of my body in ways I never have before. In fact, I had this idea for some meditation seminars. I know I have daily meditation time, but no one really seems interested. I thought maybe if I had a seminar, I could help everyone get centered."

"Cash will never go for that," Chase grumbled.

"Never say never," Fox grinned. "Trust me, I have it all planned out."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Chase grumbled.

By the time we ordered, I was slumping against Chase in my chair, already half asleep. The sounds of the guys bantering lulled me into a sense of peace I hadn't felt in days. Chase nudged me when the food arrived, and I perked up instantly, my mouth watering at the food in front of me.

"Disgusting," Fox said, tossing the bun from his burger to the side. Shoving back from the table, he muttered, "I'm going to find some food."

I watched as he walked out the door, confused as to where he was going. "There were no other restaurants around. Where is he going?"

"Maybe to find another raccoon," Patrick mumbled as he shoved his triple decker burger into his mouth.

I dug into my waffles, moaning as I slid the first syrupy bite into my mouth. "God, that's good."

The whole table was silent as I shoved a second bite into my mouth. And as I cut the third piece, I looked up to find all the guys staring at me. The heated gaze Chase shot my way had me licking my lips. His thumb brushed against the corner of my mouth, taking a dash of syrup with him. When he sucked the syrup from his thumb, I almost tackled him. Then I remembered we were in a public space and mounting him would not be appreciated.

Nick cleared his throat. "Didn't need porn and a show."

"I like it," Patrick grinned. "We're on the run. Might as well have some entertainment value."

I blushed furiously, dropping my gaze back to my food. I was careful not to make too many noises as I continued eating. It wasn't like I needed to embarrass myself further. I was almost done eating when the bell above the door rang and Fox strolled in with a grin on his face. He slid into the booth with a big grin on his face and a handful of weeds in his hands.

"Uh, whatcha doin' there?" Patrick asked.

"Eating. Yep, just need to grind these up and I'll have a tasty treat on my hands."

"Those are weeds," I pointed out.

"Weeds to some, but edible delights to others. It takes a trained eye to find the best of the best," he said, tapping his temple. "Never fear. I shall make us something delicious to nourish our bodies and souls."

"I'll pass," Chase said.

"Me too," Patrick said, grimacing at the weeds.

Fox's eyes flicked to Nick. "Don't even look at me like that. I dealt with your crazy in the military. I didn't eat the beetles and I'm not eating weeds either."

"Beetles?" I said, trying to disguise my disgust.

"Oh, yeah," Fox grinned. "They're full of protein and vitamins. A very healthy substitute to an MRE."

"Sorry, a what?"

"Meal, Ready-to-Eat," Chase answered. "Disgusting, but necessary in a war zone."

"But…we're not in a war zone. And you don't have to eat beetles or weeds."

Fox frowned at me. "Need to? No, but should—most definitely. Do you have any idea how many antioxidants are in these?" he pointed to the weeds. "Or the anti-inflammatory properties they carry?" He looked at Nick. "I'm so silly. I should have made this for you as soon as you were injured."

"That's okay," Nick said, scowling at the weeds.

"Really, it's selfish of me to keep these to myself when they could help you so much."

"I think I'll take my chances with the actual medicine."

Fox grinned at him, shaking his finger. "You don't fool me. I see what you're doing."

"What is he doing?" I asked curiously.

"He's purposely refusing these because he knows I can't stand to eat this pitiful substitute for food. I love you, man."

Nick jerked his chin at Fox. "Sure. Whatever."

Fox shoved his chair back and wrapped an arm around Nick's neck. "Such a good friend."

He slapped him on the back and sat back in his seat, getting to work grinding the weeds down. Thank God I was almost finished with my food. If I had seen this before, I wouldn't have been able to eat.

"I think I'll use the restroom," I said, shoving back from the table.

Chase followed me. I assumed he was using the men's restroom, but instead, he walked right into the women's restroom with me. "What are you doing?" I chuckled.

"Checking it out."

He walked past me, checking each stall as I watched curiously. "It's all clear."

I bit back my laughter as he walked over to me. "No assassins in the toilets?"

"Not this time."

I quirked an eyebrow at him as he continued to stand there. "Are you going to leave?"

"Not a chance."

Sighing, I pressed my hand to his chest. "Chase, no one is coming to kill me."

"Excuse me if I don't see things the same way. I'd rather be overly cautious than leave you unprotected."

"In a bathroom," I stressed.

He shrugged. "You can go now or in five minutes when you realize I'm not leaving."

I could see the sincerity in his words. If I stood here all day, he'd stay right with me, refusing to leave my side. "Fine, but no listening to me pee."

"Sure, I'll cover my ears."

I glared at him, then went into the biggest stall and locked the door. This was so uncomfortable. I'd never peed in front of a man before. Dropping my pants, I sat down and tried my best, but I had stage fright. Several minutes passed where I tried everything from plugging my ears to singing quietly to myself. Nothing helped.

The door on the next stall closed and I heard the metal of a zipper as I watched Chase spread his legs slightly. The sound of liquid hitting the bowl allowed me to loosen up enough to finally let go.

"Better?"

"Don't speak," I chastised, finishing my business.

When I was done, I washed my hands, ignoring Chase's smirk as he dried his. That was too weird for comfort. If I could avoid ever peeing with him in the same room again, I would do it at all costs.

"Finally," Patrick grumbled as we returned to the table. "I was beginning to think I'd have to join you in there."

"Why would you join them?" Fox asked.

"So I don't have to smell this disgusting weed concoction you made."

"It's not weird. Ask anyone in here. I bet they'll tell you they've eaten weeds before. It's the healthy part of any diet."

Nick shoved back from his seat, wincing as he stood. "How about we don't draw attention to ourselves by being labeled the crazy weed eaters?"

"I second that," Patrick agreed. "We should hit the road. I booked us a room in Denver. That leaves us with about seven hours of driving tomorrow."

I refrained from asking any further questions until we were in the minivan and on the road. This time, I let Nick have the back to himself and I sat in the middle with Chase.

"So, what happens once we're back at your place? What's to stop someone from reaching me there?"

"You'll see when we get there," Chase grinned. "Let's just say it's very protected."

"And then what? I just wait?"

"Pretty much. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but?—"

"It's fine," I cut him off. "I trust you."

He nodded slightly, taking my hand in his. Things weren't fixed, but we were getting there. Maybe there were some bumps in the road. At least they weren't potholes.