Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

UW Medical Center

Seattle

X avier sat with his head bowed, staring at his hands that were stained with his friend’s blood. When he’d dragged Hawke beneath the car with him, he had believed his friend was already gone, but he had refused to let him lie there in the open. Thankfully, Hawke wasn’t dead, but he’d been losing blood at a horrific rate. While staunching the blood flow, he’d managed a call to Serena. OZ’s contacts were worldwide and vast. Never had Xavier been more grateful for them. Though it seemed like it took a lifetime, it had been only a couple of minutes before help had arrived.

The medics had taken control, and Hawke had been transported to a hospital. Even though he wanted to go after the shooter, Xavier knew the sniper was long gone. When he was sure that Hawke would pull through, he’d go back to the scene. For now, his focus was on his friend.

Blood had been spurting from Hawke’s neck like a geyser. Could someone survive that much blood loss?

Olivia was on her way. He could only imagine what was going through her mind. She had just gotten her husband back. Their little girl, Nikki, wasn’t even a year old yet. Hawke had confided in him last night that they were trying to get pregnant again so Nikki and her sibling would be close in age. They had a good, beautiful life at last. And now, it could all go away. In the blink of an eye, they could lose everything.

The OZ team was also on their way. They had already lost Hawke once. They wouldn’t survive losing him again.

Raising his head, Xavier glared around the empty room. It was starkly, chillingly quiet. Too quiet. Where was everyone? He’d been in multiple hospitals over the years, but this was the emptiest one he’d ever seen. Solitude didn’t normally bother him, but at this moment, he’d welcome a mass of people. Instead, he had nothing but his thoughts to torture him.

Every movement he’d made over the last few days replayed with fierce clarity. If he hadn’t pushed Jazz about her brother, she wouldn’t have taken off on her own. But then what? It could’ve been her in an operating room, fighting for her life.

That scenario sent an ice-cold chill through him, and he swiftly demolished the image in his mind. No, he could not go there.

Instead, he tried to review what had happened and why. No way was this the same guy who’d killed Bass. The guy should be long gone. Paid assassins didn’t hang around and watch the investigation of their crime. They were either far away and holed up somewhere until the dust settled, or they were already focused on their next target.

It had to have been the Wren Project. That much was a given. They’d been after those bastards for several years now, and every step forward they made, they were never close enough. The people behind the Wren Project knew OZ was on to them and that it was just a matter of time before they went down.

Even though his and Jazz’s original mission had been a bust, they had witnessed the murder of one of WP’s own people. If they could just get their hands on the shooter, they would get an inroad they’d never had before.

And where was Jazz? Why would she be running her own investigation? Had she just felt guilty for leaving abruptly and decided to try to get some intel? That made no sense. She had to know that he and Hawke would be getting the same information.

He pulled out his phone and checked to make sure he hadn’t missed any calls from her. There was nothing. Breathing out a frustrated sigh, he tapped out another text, letting her know about Hawke’s injury. He’d already left so many voice mails—each one more demanding than the last—that her mailbox was full. Yeah, she’d be pissed at his autocratic demand, but that was fine. Even if she called just to yell at him, at least he’d know she was okay.

A distant, obscure noise brought his head up. When it grew louder, he went to his feet and stared at the double doors leading to the surgical unit. Was this it? Was this the moment he’d been dreading? Was he about to find out that his friend hadn’t made it?

When he realized the sound was coming from the other end of the hallway, he blew out a relieved breath. Seconds later, Olivia was striding toward him, her daughter, Nikki, held tight in her arms. Behind her were four people—two men and two women—Xavier didn’t recognize.

Olivia’s expression was one he’d seen many times through the years. She appeared serene and in control, but the slight wobble of her mouth and the bright sheen in her eyes revealed her inner turmoil and fear. She was holding on to her composure for her daughter, but the terror was there.

She came toward him with unhurried steps, but he knew if Nikki weren’t there, she’d be running. A minute before she reached him, Xavier opened his arms. She ran into them, and he held her and her daughter close. He loved her like a sister, and it was breaking his heart to see her hurting.

“How is he?” she whispered.

“Still in surgery.”

She pulled back and smiled down at Nikki, who was looking like she might cry any moment. “See, pumpkin? I told you Daddy is fine.” She bit her lip and breathed in a shaky breath. Then, clearing her throat, she whispered under her breath, “He’s still here. Still with us.”

“Yes.”

She straightened her shoulders, took another breath, and said, “Xavier, I’d like you to meet my friends. This is Dylan and Jamie Savage. And Cole and Keeley Mathison.”

He’d never met any of Olivia’s Last Chance Rescue team members, but he recognized Dylan’s and Cole’s names. Olivia always spoke highly of them. They were both large, tough-looking men. Jamie was a petite, delicate-looking blonde, and Keeley was a tall, curvy brunette.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Olivia said. “Hawke told me last night you guys were basically just interviewing people about the shooting. It didn’t sound dangerous.”

“It shouldn’t have been.” He pointed to the seats. “Let’s go sit down.”

Before they could move, Jamie said, “Liv, why don’t you give Nikki to me? Keeley and I will find a vending machine and see if there’s anything the munchkin might like.”

Gifting her friend a smile, Olivia kissed her daughter on top of her head and said, “Aunt Jamie and Aunt Keeley are going to take you to get a snack.”

Grinning her excitement, Nikki held out her arms to Jamie.

The second the women disappeared, Xavier described in detail what had happened.

“You weren’t hurt, so were they aiming at Hawke?” Olivia asked.

“I’d bent down to pick something up,” Xavier said, “and their first shot missed. The brick wall exploded where my head would’ve been.”

“Thank God you did that.”

The thought that his mother had been the one responsible for saving his life wasn’t lost on him. He’d take that out and dwell on it later.

“Would it be a problem if we checked out the scene for you?” Mathison asked.

Xavier was territorial by nature, and this was an Option Zero operation. Having operatives from another organization investigating felt weird to him. Recognizing his hesitancy, Cole added, “We won’t touch anything. We’ll just take photos. Get a feel for how it went down. It might help.”

The sooner someone assessed the scene, the better the chances of getting anything useful.

He gave the men a grateful smile. “Much appreciated.”

Once he gave them the location, they were gone.

Olivia took a breath and said, “Now, tell me what you’re keeping from me.”

“Liv…I don’t?—”

“No, Xavier. I know you’re trying to protect me, but the more I know, the better prepared I’ll be.”

Knowing she was right, he said, “He lost a lot of blood, Liv. More than I’ve ever seen anyone lose.”

“Where did the bullet hit him?”

“Neck.”

She closed her eyes, and a tear rolled down her face.

She was hanging on by a thread, and all Xavier could do was squeeze her hand and reassure her with words. “He’s a tough SOB, Liv. Toughest I know.”

“I know he is. And he’s stubborn. So very stubborn.”

Xavier swallowed hard and added, “He said your name…just before he lost consciousness.”

Though more tears filled her eyes, the beautiful smile she gave him made him glad he’d told her.

They sat in silence, holding vigil and barely breathing as Hawke fought for his life.