Chapter 20

The entire town of Shadows Landing seemed to be crammed into the Faulkner Suite at the hospital. Gavin had driven Blythe to the hospital while Kenzie worked on her wound. Blythe had suffered substantial blood loss and now Kenzie was standing in the room wearing scrubs instead of the blood-soaked clothes she'd been wearing.

Kord and Tristan had secured Landry and his family in the church where they both stayed, guarding them. Granger and Stone had brought the kids back and Granger was with them at the hospital, waiting for news.

Mr. Gann and Mr. Knoll were back on their scooters after they'd been gassed up and were also waiting for Blythe to come out of surgery. They'd told the room how Blythe had jumped in front of bullets meant for them. Even after being shot, she'd been able to hold off the attack until help arrived.

The sound of staccato high heels pinging the floor in a rushed walk echoed down the hall as Reverend Winston finished up a prayer for Blythe.

"Holy Mother of God," the nurse gasped as the woman strode into the room. The nurse ducked behind the reverend and might have been shaking in fear.

"Update." The stunning woman was no nonsense, even if her mascara was slightly smudged from tears.

"Veronica," Olivia said, standing up to hug the woman. "Blythe is in surgery."

"I need to talk to a doctor. Now."

Kenzie cleared her throat and stepped forward. "Veronica, I'm sorry we have to see you under these circumstances. I was with Dr. Faulkner, you know Gavin, as we got Blythe to the hospital. She was shot in the stomach, just below her vest. She's lost quite a bit of blood and there will most likely be intestinal damage. We'll know more soon. Gavin is in the operating room with her along with the best the hospital has."

Veronica took a shuddering breath as if to control herself. "Who did this to my girlfriend? Who did this to the woman I love? I will end them."

Maggie shivered. She'd thought Hunter was scary when he was fighting and she'd thought Olivia was scary in court. Veronica, the executive assistant to the Rahmi royal family who lived in the small town of Keeneston, was next level.

Hunter stepped forward and gave her a brief rundown of what had been happening. Classified information be damned.

"What does Landry have?" Veronica asked when Hunter finished his report.

"We don't know and Landry doesn't remember," Hunter told her as a very nervous looking nurse walked in holding a clear plastic bag.

"Ma'am," she said, her voice wobbling in fear. Veronica turned on one spiked heel and stared at her. "I brought you Blythe's personal effects from the operating room. I didn't want them to get left behind. Dr. Faulkner is right behind me with an update."

Maggie looked at the bag, her mind whirling, and then it hit her like a freight train. "Oh crap. I got it. Is Ryker at home?" Maggie asked Kenzie.

"Yes, he's getting the house put back together and reinforcing his security down at the river. That's how they got in."

Maggie pulled out her phone and called Ryker. "Ryker, go into Landry's bedroom. On the floor of his closet is a clear plastic bag from the hospital in Millevia. Bring it and Landry to your hospital suite now." Ryker tried to ask questions but Gavin walked into the room. "Just do it."

Maggie hung up as Hunter came to offer silent support to Veronica on one side while his sister took Veronica's other hand and held her tight.

"How's Blythe?"

Gavin gave a tight smile. "She's alive."

Veronica swayed on her heels, but Hunter and Olivia steadied her.

"They had to remove some of her intestines, but she'll make it. We have to monitor her closely for infection. She'll be staying at the hospital for a while as she recovers."

"But she will recover?" Veronica asked.

"She will," Gavin confirmed.

Veronica took a deep, steadying breath. "Thank you, Gavin. When can I see her?"

"In about an hour. I'll come back to get you when it's time."

Gavin left with the nervous looking nurse as Veronica clutched the clear bag. "What are you thinking?" Hunter asked.

"It might be nothing, but I was handed Landry's effects. His clothes had been cut off in Millevia and stuffed into a bag. While Landry doesn't remember taking anything, maybe he did and hid it in his uniform."

Kenzie looked down at her phone. "We'll find out in ten minutes. Ryker is flying the helicopter in with Landry."

"How are you doing? This was a lot for civilians," Hunter asked Maggie as they stood on the roof of the hospital waiting for Ryker and Landry to arrive. He was worried about Maggie. She looked about ready to fall over from exhaustion as the adrenaline drained from her body.

"I'm just relieved no one died. Well, none of us died."

"I'm always amazed by the women of Shadows Landing. You're very formidable with a sword, Mags." All the women had been. It was impressive that women from ten to eighty years old didn't hesitate to defend their loved ones. He about died when he saw Lacy slice her rapier into the man's balls. Landry was just as shocked, but extremely proud. Sure, the guys knew that the women trained, but seeing them in action was completely different. They were a more cohesive team than Hunter's Special Forces team.

Hunter put his arm around Maggie and pulled her to his side. He had to reassure himself that she was still there and not hurt. Seeing her straddling an injured Landry and shooting at the cars chasing them was not something he'd ever forget. It had twisted his heart in a way that he'd never be the same again.

Maggie leaned against him as he watched the sky for Ryker's helicopter. "I wish I never had to use my sword or my gun, but I will always defend the people I love."

Hunter bent his head and kissed her. His whole world, his whole being had changed in the past weeks. It was no longer about him. It was about her. Everything was about her. "That's just one of the things I love about you."

Maggie almost jerked with surprise and it made him smile. "Did you just—"

"Tell you I love you? Yes. I did. Because I do love you, Magnum Bell. I would like to say it was love at first sight, but we know that's not true. But it was love as soon as I pulled my head out of my ass. I know it's not a romantic gesture, but my heart stopped today when I saw you under fire. I couldn't go another day without you knowing I love you, that I'm in awe of you, and I'm so damned proud of you. You're amazing and I don't know how I'm lucky enough to be with you. I love you, Magnum."

Hunter could practically hear Damon rubbing it in that he'd been right. But if that meant Hunter had Maggie in his life, he'd take all the crap Damon would tease him with. Maggie was worth it.

"Hunter, really?"

Hunter brushed back her loose hair falling in her face and cupped her cheeks with his hands. He angled her face up so he could place a kiss on her lips. "Really. I love you."

His stomach actually got a little loopy as he waited to hear if she loved him. She smirked and he knew he was in trouble. "Hmm," she said as she tapped her finger to her chin. "How do I feel about Hunter Townsend?"

She loved him. Hunter knew it. She wouldn't tease him if she didn't.

"That's easy. I love you too," Maggie smiled up at him, placing her hand over his heart. "I mean it, Hunter. It's never been like this before. For me, it's you."

"And for me, it's you and only you."

Hunter kissed her again. It was strange how a few words could change everything. How a kiss could feel completely different from how their last kiss had been. It was a huge shift in their relationship and Hunter wasn't nervous about it. Instead, it felt right. But he also knew, his future had changed forever.

Hunter looked around the nurses' break room as he, Tristan, Veronica, Ryker, and Landry all stared at Maggie as she upended the plastic hospital bag. Out came Landry's uniform, socks, boots, and military knife. His gun has been kept out of the hospital.

"I'm telling you. I don't remember taking anything," Landry said as he separated his clothes.

Nothing fell out as Landry shook out the pockets and patted down the uniform.

"If you knew you were going to be searched, where would you hide something?" Maggie asked, as she picked up his pants and began examining them.

Landry froze. Hunter saw it. He could see the gears in Landry's mind spinning to remember something. Then he reached for his boots. He reached inside and yanked out the sole of the first one. Nothing. He reached into the second boot and pulled out the sole. "I don't believe it," he muttered, pulling a folded piece of paper from the boot. "You were right. But I don't remember this." Landry unfolded the paper and everyone leaned forward.

"It's a map," Ryker said, stating the obvious.

"Of Italy," Tristan added. "I know several of those towns."

"What would be special about Italy?" Veronica wondered.

Hunter looked at the map. Three towns were circled. Next to him, Maggie gasped suddenly. "What is it?"

"These locations. They're all associated with the Olympics. Either hosting athletes, fans, or events," Maggie explained pointing to one of the circles on the map. "That area is where the track and field stadium is. Shooting is over here, which is at the edge of that circled area. Then this is where gymnastics will be held. Swimming, here. Then this is where the athlete dorms are. These are hotels for the families. They all fall within these circled areas."

"If a bomb or bombs go off in any of these areas, there would be mass casualties," Hunter said slowly, taking it all in. "But what is their reasoning?"

"Big international events have always been a target for illegal activity. Human trafficking, drugs, cyberattacks, and terrorist attacks," Tristan told them.

Maggie nodded. "Remember the bombing in Atlanta in 1996? There was also the Munich massacre in 1972 when the Israeli team was attacked. In recent years though, we've been warned more about cyberattacks than actual physical attacks."

"We know the where, although it's a large area. We kind of know the when, but the big questions that remain—who and why?" Hunter asked. "I'll call Kane and fill him in."

"I'll call President Gastaud and see if she can talk to Italy's leaders. She'll hold more sway than us," Tristan said, stepping out of the room.

"I leave on Wednesday. I'll let you know what I hear on the ground," Maggie told him.

"The hell you are," Hunter snapped, mid-dial. "There's no way the woman I love is walking into a known planned terrorist attack."

Hunter saw the mulish way Maggie's mouth turned, but he'd just gotten her into his life. He wasn't going to have her walk into a bombing. Not until they stopped it.

"I've worked my whole life for this, Hunter. I'm going."

"All your work won't matter if you're dead," Hunter replied as the rest of the room watched them.

He stared at her, trying to get Maggie to see how much he cared. This wasn't about her skill. This was about her safety.

Veronica cleared her throat. "Hunter, what would it take to make you feel better about Maggie going?"

"These people caught and the bombs found."

"We don't know for sure this is a bombing," Maggie pointed out.

"You're not dumb, Magnum. You know what this is," Hunter said, knowing it was going to make her mad. "Stolen fertilizer. A missing bomber. Mercenaries and former military working together. The map. They're not picking out a guy's trip, Mags, and you know it."

Her lips thinned because she did know it. Then she crossed her arms and he knew he was in trouble. "Then you better catch them because I'm going. I'll hire personal security when I'm over there."

"If you're going, I'm going." Hunter crossed his arms and dared her to deny him.

"Hunter, I can't get you the access you need. I can have someone with me though, if I hire someone through the games. Plus, spectator tickets are completely sold out. You can't even go as a spectator." Maggie explained it, but Hunter didn't care. He knew this was her dream, but his protective instincts were telling him to whisk her away to a bunker and not let her come out until this was over.

"I have a solution," Veronica said, interrupting them. "Hunter, if I get you all access passes and full security clearance, will you feel better about Maggie being there?"

Hunter noticed Veronica didn't say if Maggie went but when Maggie went. Maggie looked at him expectantly. He saw the eagerness and hope in her eyes. "Fine. But if this isn't settled by then, you do whatever I say to keep you safe."

"As long as I can compete," Maggie agreed.

"I don't like it, but I'll agree only if I can get those passes."

Veronica looked insulted. She picked up her phone and made a call. Thirty seconds later Hunter was Maggie's personal coach with security clearance, permission to carry, and an all-access pass.

"Who are you?" Hunter asked seriously as Tristan came back into the room.

"I'm the person who organized the multinational, joint military and law enforcement training session in Keeneston that you participated in recently. If I can do that, I can get in touch with anyone," Veronica said casually. Good point. That was an incredibly well-planned and organized training session.

"Well, you might need to work your magic with the Italian government. Millevia's president reached out, but they're not returning her call," Tristan said with anger in his eyes. Emily Gastaud was young and a woman. She got a lot of pushback from bigger countries. Plus, she was dating Tristan's best friend, David. They were more friends of Tristian's than leaders.

"President Serro can be stubborn, but at his heart is a good guy," Veronica said, scrolling through her phone. "I'll take care of it. Plus, I'll bring in some help on the tech front."

"No need," Ryker interjected. "I have the tech side covered."

Veronica didn't question him, she just nodded and headed out of the room with her phone to her ear and speaking in rapid-fire Italian. Whatever she said had Tristan's eyebrows rising. "That woman scares the crap out of me. I almost feel sorry for whoever is behind this. They've unleashed a power so strong it can't be stopped."

"Hunter," Maggie said, dropping her voice as everyone left the room. "Just because you love me doesn't mean you control me. I don't tell you not to go on missions. Instead, I'll be here supporting you. I know you're worried, but this is my whole life's work. I know we've disagreed in the past, but this is different. We're a couple now and as a couple, we talk things through and come up with a plan so there's not a breakdown of communication."

Hunter ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I know. Olivia would have hurt me for telling her what to do. You support me when I leave for missions. I'll support you. I'm so damn proud of what you've accomplished and want to see you win gold, but I want you safe more. We'll communicate our plans and work together to find a course of action. But, I'm serious, Magnum. If something is off, I love you too much to let you die for it. No gold medal is worth your life."

Maggie nodded. "Okay. We'll talk about it though. Make the decisions together unless I'm in imminent danger."

"Deal. Now I need to call my contacts in Italian Special Forces and see if I can get some security details," Hunter said as they walked out of the room.

"I'm sending them to you now," Ryker answered from where he was leaning against the wall. "I'm also sending you a burner phone number. Don't ask who owns it. It'll be tossed as soon as this is over. But you can use it for tech support. Run facials, ask for schematics, whatever you need, ask them. If they can't help you, they'll know someone who can."

"Is this illegal?" Hunter asked, looking at the number.

"Let's not ask. Got it?"

Hunter pulled up the text and stared at such detailed maps that it was as if he'd been in on the planning of the setup and security of the games. "Thanks. This helps a lot."

"Blythe is awake," Kenzie said, joining her husband. "Veronica just left to see her, but she's asking for you, Hunter."