Chapter 15

With her heart in her throat, Jin strode through the ER doors of Tripler Army Medical Center, Sam on her heels. The rest of TFH who had been at headquarters were on her heels.

"Where is he?" she demanded.

"He's in surgery," Seth Harrington said. He walked towards her, blood on his clothes. She didn't know how she knew, but she knew it was Adam's blood. The edges of her vision seemed to dim, and her head spun. He took her by the arms. His touch was gentle.

"Don't worry," he said. "I know the surgeon. Adam lost a little blood, but otherwise, he's good."

She drew in a deep breath and let it loose. Her nerves still didn't calm, but she was steadier. She knew nothing would calm her until she saw him in person.

An arm wrapped around her, and she realized it was Sam. "Come on. Looks like your o'hana is over there."

She glanced at the corner where everyone was standing or sitting. They walked over. She noticed that Graeme and Marcus weren't there.

When she asked about them, she was told they were at the scene, overseeing the investigation.

"And Andrews? He was the one in charge?"

Del shrugged. "We aren't sure yet. We need to interrogate him and find out what this was all about. He was pretty whacked out on something—they have no idea what drug. They are sending him to detox. At least a day or two before we can interrogate him."

"I have a feeling he was getting paid to hide Dylan Brewer," Sam said.

Everyone turned and looked at her, suspicion on all their faces.

"What? I said I was sorry. I was trying to keep Jin safe."

"You still think he lied all these years, and Brewer was that stupid?" Jin asked.

"Rich men are arrogant. They think they know everything, and the truth is, it was easier that Dylan wasn't around."

"Why do you say that?" Tamilya asked.

Sam didn't say anything, but she didn't have to. Jin knew enough about the story to put most of the pieces together.

"Dylan was a problem child who grew into an angry, entitled man. He felt that he should have whatever he wanted. Women, drugs, fast cars. His mother died of cancer when Dylan was only eight. Because of that, Michael Brewer indulged him. He saved him from jail so many times. But that night, I think something changed. From the moment I took this case, I knew he wasn't alive anymore, or at least thought he wasn't. A man like him is so damned full of himself, he could only stay hidden so long."

"So, you thought he was the one who killed Alana," Jin said. "Brewer wanted Dylan out of sight and out of mind. So, he paid for it and hoped he never had to see his son again."

Before anyone could respond, Adam's mother, Merri, rushed through the door, followed by Makana and Nanii. They hurried over to the group but stopped in front of Jin. His mother pulled her into her arms.

"Have you heard anything?"

Her warm embrace steadied Jin even more. Years ago, Adam told Jin his mother gave the best hugs, and he was right. Jin hugged the woman back before letting her go.

"He's in surgery. Seth took care of him on the scene." She motioned toward Seth, who still hadn't changed. Her gaze took in his clothes, and her spine straightened.

"Is that my son's blood?"

"Some. I'm sorry."

"No worries," she said, letting go of Jin to hug him. "Mahalo for taking care of my boy."

Jin wrapped an arm around each girl and urged them to sit. She knew they were in for a wait.

It was over ninety minutes later before the surgeon came out. He paused when he realized how many people were waiting.

"I take it that everyone in this area is here for Lt. Commander Lee?"

"Yes," Jin said, stepping forward. "This is his o'hana."

His gaze moved over all the people there. "Okay. I need his blood relatives."

"I'm his mother," Merri said. His sisters stepped up behind her. "And this is his fiancé."

For a second, Jin didn't register the comment until she realized Merri was talking about her. When she glanced at the woman, Merri winked.

"Well, for the record, he'll be fine. Thanks to Harrington, his blood loss was minimal, but we had to extract the bullet. It took a little bit, but he's strong. We also think he has a slight concussion, which, with the slight blood loss, is the reason he passed out. He's in recovery, but he will get a room in about half an hour if his vitals stay steady. The nurse will come to get you."

"Mahalo," his mother said. The surgeon nodded and then left them alone.

Jin stepped closer to Adam's mother. "Merri, we aren't engaged."

"Oh, I know, but they'll let you up to his room faster if they think you are."

"What the hell is going on?" Ian said, striding into the ER. Jin blinked and looked around. Sam had excused herself a few minutes ago to go to the bathroom, but she hadn't returned.

"You're so loud. There was a firefight, and then Adam was shot, but he will be fine," Autumn said.

"No. I mean, one of our safe houses was broken into, and the video showed Jin there with another woman."

Oh, shit. Yeah, Jin had forgotten all about that. So much had happened since then. Sam's getup was insane, with long dark hair and sunglasses in the dead of night. Jin understood to an extent. With her different colored eyes, she would be memorable. She also made Jin sit in a wheelchair she had procured from somewhere.

"Do you not care about Adam?" Autumn asked.

Jin looked at the other woman. Her tone suggested that she was up to something, and apparently, Ian had fallen for it.

"No. I mean, yes, I do."

Autumn sniffed. "Doesn't sound like it."

Jin knew she had to apologize. "Ian, I'm really sorry. Sam thought I was in trouble, so she took me to one of your safe houses."

His blue eyes narrowed on Jin. The cold sent icy fingers trailing down her spine. Oh, damn, he was scary. "She was here?"

Jin nodded.

"And she drugged Jin, so don't start playing spymaster with her," Autumn said. "She was just here."

He opened his mouth as Tamilya returned from the bathroom.

"Tamilya, was Sam in the bathroom?"

She shook her head. "I was the only one in there."

Jin sighed, but Autumn laughed.

"The Barracuda has thwarted you once more."

Ian tossed her a nasty look, but he didn't respond to the taunt. "So, Adam is going to be okay?"

Autumn nodded as she took his arm to lead him away.

"Lee family?"

There was a nurse in green scrubs. She watched as Merri and his sisters turned to go, but they all stopped.

"Jin," his mother said, holding out her hand. Jin only hesitated for a second. When she slipped her hand into the other woman's, Jin felt everything in her click. TFH was her o'hana, and so were the Lees. She might have just met them, but because of Adam, they would accept her.

As they started to follow the nurse back, the doors opened again, and Kailana flew into the room. From everything she had known about the woman, she was unflappable. The look of terror on her face, the panic in her dark eyes, spoke to Jin.

When she saw her mother and sisters, she ran over.

"Is he okay?"

"Yes, he's fine. He lost a little too much blood, and they had to extract the bullet," Jin explained. She knew that with Kailana's background, she would do better with facts first.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "They are taking us up to see Adam."

Within minutes, they were being led back to a room. It was the middle of the night, so it was quiet except for the sound of TVs playing in rooms and the murmured voices from the staff and patients. For a second, she panicked. This is where they brought her after they'd found her beaten and almost dead. The smell of antiseptic still sent waves of fear crashing through her. She hated it.

Drawing in a deep breath, she used the techniques she'd learned through the last few years to deal with these feelings. She stood still, closed her eyes, and counted down. She had more intricate methods to try if this didn't work, but she felt her nerves calming.

"Jin?"

She opened her eyes. Kailani was observing her.

"I'm fine. I just don't like hospitals."

She nodded, and Jin knew she understood. She stepped closer to Adam's sister.

"Do you mind a hug?" the younger woman asked.

Tears filled her eyes. His family was amazing. "I would love a hug."

Kailani wrapped her arms around Jin. "I'm so happy you two are back together."

More tears filled her eyes and dripped down her cheeks. "Me too."

"Girls," Merri said. "Come on."

Jin stepped back and wiped her cheeks as Kailani did the same. They shared a secret smile with each other. This family. They accepted her at face value. They all showed more empathy than she would ever get from her own family. Adam had no idea just how lucky he was.

Jin planned to hang back to let his mother and sisters—his blood family—deal with the scene. But the moment she stepped into his room, all those thoughts went out the window. She bit back a gasp as she hurried forward. He was sleeping, but he was unbelievably pale. He had a bruise on his gorgeous face. She curled her fingers into her palms. If they hadn't arrested Andrews, she would hunt that bastard down and beat him up.

"From the look on your face, you would happily defend his honor," Merri said with a chuckle. Jin glanced at Adam's mother. "I expected nothing less. Adam comes from a long line of warrior women."

"I'm not a warrior."

Merri shook her head, then her smile faded as she turned her attention to her son. "He's pale."

Jin nodded. His sisters stood on the other side of the bed. Makana and Nanii were silently crying. Without a second thought, she made her way around the bed to them and wrapped an arm around each of them.

"He's going to be fine. You heard the doctor."

"I feel guilty. We've been so mean to him," Makana said.

"I didn't grow up with siblings, but I think that's normal. You can apologize when he wakes up. He loves his house of women, I promise."

"He does? I always thought we drove him pupule." Crazy.

"You do, but he loves all of you. I knew each of you so well because he always talked about you. He's proud of all of you."

The girls nodded.

"Why don't you girls get something to drink from the vending machine down the hall?" Merri suggested.

Kailani took over and herded the girls out of the room, leaving Merri and Jin alone.

"You're very good with them. You don't have any siblings?"

Jin sighed, not wanting to think about her family. "I have some half-siblings back on the mainland. When my parents divorced, I was in my junior year of high school. I was sent away to an all-girls school, and they went on with their lives."

There was a beat of silence. Jin was always embarrassed about her family, especially compared to Adam's.

"Being a cop's wife isn't the easiest job on the planet."

Jin turned to look at Merri. "We haven't talked of marriage."

Merri shrugged. "I know my son. He adores you. I just wanted you to know that it isn't for the faint-hearted. Also, I know you are up for the job."

She knew Merri spoke from experience. She'd lost her husband to the job.

"I would love to think I am." She drew in a breath. Vulnerability was something she hid from most people. She hated being seen as less than and, yes, she knew it had to do with her childhood.

Releasing the breath, she said, "I had a moment in the hall."

Merri cocked her head. "A moment?"

"The sounds and the smell of antiseptic…it always takes me back."

"Ah. Yes. I could see that. Scent is just one of those things that draws you back. The first time I met Adam's father, he had been drinking beer. Not drunk because that man didn't ever get drunk. But anytime I smell beer, I think of him. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. It's strange, but we can't control our first responses to stimuli. It's how you deal with those memories that's important." She looked at her son. "But this man, he's like his father. He's in it for the long haul."

"That was a small reaction. Sometimes…" She shook her head. "It's just bad."

Understanding filled Merri's expression. "He'll understand."

Jin nodded because she knew that Merri was right. Her son would understand, and for the first time since her abduction, she was ready to trust someone. Jin wanted to let him see the ugly that came from her experience.

Merri came around the bed and pulled a chair closer. "Here, you sit. He'll want to see you when he wakes up.

"Thank you. For everything."

"Anytime, Jin. Whether you like it or not, you're o'hana now."

She looked Adam's mother in the eye. "I like it very much."

The smile she gave Jin warmed her heart. With a sigh, she sat in the chair and took Adam's hand in hers to wait.

* * *

Adam came awake slowly. He knew he was in a hospital room of some sort, probably Tripler, as they were the closest to where they had been when he was shot. He'd come awake briefly in the ambulance, but it was all hazy.

His eyes were closed, but he took in his surroundings with his other senses. Drawing in a deep breath, he smelled the antiseptic. Machines beeped. Someone held his hand.

With considerable effort, he opened his eyes, looking around. His mother was sitting by a window, looking out on the night. He knew his sisters were somewhere around because he had registered their voices a little while ago.

His mother must have sensed that he was awake. She glanced over at him with a smile. Then, her attention went to the person holding his hand. He looked and found Jin, her hand in his, her head resting on the mattress.

God, she was beautiful, his angel. He would never understand what she saw in him, but he couldn't voice that opinion out loud. Her soft hand felt like a lifeline, the one thing he needed to get him through all the bad days.

There was a noise in the hallway, and his mother stood shaking her head. With another smile, she went out in the hallway, leaving him alone with Jin.

The door shutting seemed to break through to Jin, who stirred. Blinking awake, she took a second to rouse herself to look at him. When their gazes met, her mouth curved, but tears filled her eyes.

"Hey, I'm okay."

She stood and finally let his hand go to hug him. "I was so worried. I know they told me you were safe, but I wouldn't believe it until you woke up. And it's my fault."

"No. It's no one's fault except Andrews. That bastard was so freaking high he thought taking on a highly trained team of enforcement officers was the way to go. This is part of the job. Plus, I would rather be the person taking him down. He would have hurt more civilians if we hadn't."

"But I'm the one who started digging into this. If I hadn't, you would be okay."

"And no one would have known about all of this. Alana's family will finally know what happened to her. That's a good thing. It also brought us back together."

"That's the best thing. So you got to talk to Andrews?"

"In a way. I guess everyone told you he was high as a kite?"

She nodded.

"Hopefully, we can get something out of him. I can't believe Andrews hid all these years."

She sniffed as she stood up. "Wait until you find out how Sam escaped."

He frowned because he did not want to talk to the woman. She had kidnapped Jin.

"Don't look like that. Sam was worried that I wasn't protected once you left the house. She trusts you."

There was a murmur of voices in the hallway as she settled on his bed. "Everyone is still here. They're driving the staff crazy, and a lot of the female staff keeps finding reasons to wander by."

He chuckled, then winced. His head was still killing him.

"You have a slight concussion. That's why you passed out. I have something to tell you."

Dammit, from the serious look on her face, it couldn't be good.

"I had a moment in the hall when I smelled the antiseptic, and I think that if we are going to make this work, I need to come clean with you."

"Okay."

"I have nightmares sometimes. I also still have issues with agoraphobia. It isn't as bad as before, but…I have bad days."

She sounded as if she were confessing some great crime. He wouldn't make light of it. Her PTSD was something she would have to deal with her entire life.

He took her hand in his and pulled it up to press his mouth against her knuckles. "I know. And I'm here for them. I want all the good, the bad, and everything in between. You have more issues than some people, but it doesn't make me love you any less, ku'u lei."

Again, tears filled her eyes.

"Don't cry."

"Tears of happiness. I promise." She took a deep breath. "I love you."

Adam's heart turned over in his chest. "I love you, ku'u lei."

She leaned down carefully and brushed her mouth over his. He was ready to deepen the kiss, but the door burst open.

"Oh, God, my virgin eyes!" Makana said.

Jin pulled back from him, but she was smiling.

"Akamu," Nanii said, running toward his bed. She was followed by Kailani and what appeared to be the entire TFH team—including Bravo.

"They've been waiting to see you," Jin whispered only loud enough for Adam to hear.

He had his blood o'hana and his extended o'hana. The best thing was the woman sitting beside his bed, holding his hand, and wiping away tears of happiness. She was safe and sound, and that was all that mattered. Worries about what had happened could wait.