CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Liam opened his eyes to utilitarian cream-colored walls and a television mounted in the corner. He frowned. Where was he? Slowly, noises began to register. Foot traffic, an elevator, muffled conversations, a public announcement system, laughter, carts passing in the corridor. The acrid tang of disinfectant clued him in to his location. He was in a hospital.
He frowned. Was he injured on an op? By degrees, the fog cleared from his brain enough for him to remember being in the garden with Piper, then waking up in a warehouse with Moe and Billy.
Pain from his injuries registered as Liam scanned the room. Simon slumped in a seat by his bedside. No Piper. Worry gnawed at his gut. Where was she? Was she all right? Had Moe or Brandy hurt Piper after Liam passed out?
He shifted on the hospital bed, intent on getting up to find Piper. Sharp pain spiked and a soft groan escaped. Man, Brandy and her buddies had worked him over good.
“Don’t move.” Simon climbed to his feet and leaned over him. “The doctor spent a lot of time patching you up. He won’t be happy if you undo his work.”
He blinked. “Sorensen?” His voice came out raspy.
A head shake. “You wouldn’t have made it to Bayside. You’re still in Hartman. Don’t worry. We have you covered.”
“Piper?”
“Matt took her to the cafeteria for a snack. Piper hasn’t left your side in hours. She’ll be back soon.”
Liam gave a slight nod and felt the darkness begin to overtake him again. “Protect,” he murmured.
“We’ll protect her with our lives, Liam. Let go and rest.”
The next time he surfaced, Liam turned his head and saw Piper. She’d fallen asleep with her hand wrapped around his, her head beside his arm.
The sight of her by his side eased his fear for her safety. Not that he could do much to protect Piper in his condition. He’d face plant if he stood at that moment.
Movement on the other side of the bed brought Matt into his field of vision.
“Hey. How do you feel?” the medic whispered.
“Like I’ve been hit by an eighteen-wheeler.”
His friend grinned. “Not surprising considering what you’ve been through.”
“Recovery time?”
“According to Sorensen, six to eight weeks.”
“Are we in Texas?”
“Nope. Maddox flew the doc here to check on you and Piper.”
His gaze settled on the woman he adored. “How is she?”
“A little bruised. Mostly she’s worried about you. She saved your life, Liam.”
That brought his attention back to the medic. “What do you mean?”
“Piper was prepared to fight off Barone’s thugs with your boot knife when we arrived. Since that wasn’t necessary, she donated blood to keep you alive. She gave more than she should have but Piper insisted the rest of us were necessary to protect you from further harm.” Matt leaned closer. “Don’t let this woman get away, buddy. She’ll be the kind of wife you need to protect your family if we’re deployed. Piper is a keeper.”
He didn’t have to be told that truth. He’d seen it for himself when Billy and Moe were working him over. “I don’t intend to let her go.”
At that moment, Piper stirred.
He squeezed her hand.
Her head popped up, eyes wide. “Liam, you’re awake.”
“And alive, thanks to you.”
She sat on the edge of the bed as Matt left the room to give them some privacy. “I didn’t do anything your teammates wouldn’t have done.” Piper cupped his cheek with her soft palm. “You scared me. Don’t do it again.” Tears sparkled in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Sunshine. Are you okay? Did the goons hurt you?”
“I’m fine. A few bruises that will be gone in a few days.”
“Matt says I have enforced vacation time coming.”
“You’re taking every day off that Dr. Sorensen recommends for your recovery.”
“I’ll take them if you promise me something.”
“What?”
“Take two weeks off to spend with me at the beach.”
“I still have a job, one I’ve neglected.”
“We’ll see if Delilah can handle more time without her partner.” He’d pay someone to fill in for Piper if Delilah needed help. After the scare they’d had, he didn’t want to be separated from her. If Sorensen held true to form, the doc would insist he spend a few days in the Bayside clinic to keep an eye on Liam’s progress before Sorensen released him to convalesce somewhere else.
Liam didn’t want Piper to go home to Otter Creek without him, not with Spencer waiting to pounce on the woman who owned Liam’s heart.
“Spending two weeks enjoying the salt breeze sounds good.”
He gave a slight nod and inched to the far side of the bed, his teeth gritted against the pain caused by moving.
“What are you doing?”
“I need to hold you.”
“I’ll hurt you.”
“Worth it.” He patted the empty space on the mattress. “We’ll work it out.”
She looked skeptical but climbed onto the mattress and settled gingerly beside him.
Liam eased his arm around her shoulders and her head settled against his chest. Perfect. Knowing his teammates were on watch in the hall, he allowed himself to fall asleep again, this time holding the woman with a lion’s courage.
Sometime later, he woke when Matt stepped into the room.
“Maddox is here.”
Liam’s eyebrows rose. He must have been in a bad way if his boss flew down from Nashville to sit at his bedside.
“Liam, what’s wrong?”
Piper’s drowsy voice wrapped around his heart and made him long to rush the woman to the altar. He wouldn’t, though. Right now, he wouldn’t be rushing anywhere. Give him a few days and he’d be good as new. Okay, maybe a few weeks. “My boss is here.”
When she started to slide from the bed, Liam held her in place. “Stay.” He gave a chin lift to Matt.
A moment later, Brent Maddox walked to Liam’s bedside. “How are you?”
“I’m okay, sir.”
The blond SEAL grinned. “In other words, you feel lousy.”
His lips curved.
“Barone’s thugs did a number on you. I understand from Matt we’re lucky you’re still with us.”
Liam blinked. He hadn’t realized it was that close.
Maddox turned to Piper. “You must be Piper. I’m Brent Maddox, Liam’s boss.”
“It’s nice to meet you in person.”
“I’m glad to see you, sir, but why are you here?” Liam asked.
“Two reasons. One, I’m in talks with the ATF over the raid at Barone’s warehouse last night. The feds aren’t happy that we interfered with their operation.”
Huh. The warehouse must have been storing illegal weapons if the ATF was involved. “When are they ever happy?”
A chuckle from Maddox. “True. The second reason I’m here is to escort you and Piper to Bayside, Texas so you can recuperate without worrying about your safety or Piper’s.”
“When are we leaving?”
“Tomorrow. Jesse will fly with us. The rest of his teammates will meet us at the clinic to provide security.”
“What about Bravo?”
“I’ll send them home to help set a trap for your old buddy Spencer.”
“Details?”
“Later. We won’t proceed until you’re ready. Maybe next week. Depends on how fast you recover.”
“You’re going to draw him out.”
“Can’t leave him out there, Liam. Otherwise you won’t be able to focus on your job when Bravo is deployed. We take care of this problem now.”
Piper’s breath caught. “You’re using him as bait.”
“Well-protected bait.”
“I don’t like this. Hasn’t he suffered enough?”
“This is the fastest way to end the danger to both of you plus Bravo and Durango’s wives and girlfriends.” He folded his arms. “A woman who was prepared to fight hired thugs with nothing more than a small knife can handle a former Marine with a grudge against her man and a full team to back her up.”
She smiled. “I suppose I can.”
“That’s settled, then. I’m making arrangement to spring you from this hospital, Liam. In the meantime, we’ll follow standard procedure with one operative in the room with you at all times and one in the hallway. We’ll leave early tomorrow morning while it’s still dark. Anything I need to do in the meantime?”
“Check on Piper’s uncle. Tell him what’s going on. I’d like a team to evaluate his security at the estate. Piper and I also need our gear. Her bags are at Romano’s house. Mine is in the back of my SUV. Romano needs a bodyguard he can trust until we’re sure he’s not in danger from Barone or his cronies.”
“I’ll take care of it. I’ll have Texas do the security evaluation. Bravo has informed me they’re providing your security while you’re here.”
“Are you surprised?” Matt said.
“I’d be surprised if you didn’t.” He turned back to Liam and Piper. “Rest as much as possible.” After squeezing Liam’s hand and nodding goodbye to Piper, he left.
“He’s an interesting man,” Piper said.
Matt snorted. “He’s as tough as nails and would tear a strip off our hides if we did something stupid.”
“Sounds like he cares about his people.”
“He does.” Liam kissed Piper’s temple. “In our line of work, the consequences of carelessness can be deadly.”
The day passed in a series of long naps for Liam and walks to the cafeteria for Piper with one of his teammates serving as her bodyguard. Although Barone had been arrested along with most of his criminal organization, a few of his employees might be out for revenge against the woman who brought down an empire with her stubborn refusal to run and hide.
Overnight, Liam slept lightly, aware this was the perfect time for someone to breach the room. When Simon arrived at midnight to take over the watch in the hall, he brought Liam a Sig. A little more tension eased from his muscles. At least he could protect Piper if the worst did happen. Thankfully, the night passed in relative quiet.
A few minutes after four, Jesse and Matt rolled in a wheelchair. Liam eyed the transportation with distaste.
“Don’t argue.” Matt patted the chair. “It’s the only way you’re getting out of this place. Let us do the work. If you pull stitches loose, you’ll be stuck in here another few days.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s do this. I want Piper out of this town.”