03-Strength of the Mate (46 page)

“Understood, Lieutenant.” Adam was suddenly weak with relief and exhaustion. It was real. This was all fucking real. He’d been rescued.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Marine Corps Base Camp Fallujah
Fallujah, Iraq

Dawson abruptly appeared at the rear of the truck. He threw back his head and gave a single, long howl. Christ, Adam had missed that sound. He wanted Dawson back here with him. He needed to feel Dawson, to know for sure this was real.

“You look like you’re in damn good shape, considering we’ve been hunting for you for five weeks,” Doc said. “But I need to take a good look at you, sir. You’re not gonna give me any trouble about that, are you?”

Adam chuckled. “Nah. You got a job to do, Doc.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of Dawson, where he mingled with his wolves near the rear of the truck.

“Lay back for me, please sir,” Doc requested politely. “You look like you got a serious wound on that left arm.”

Dawson stood at the lowered tailgate, staring intently at Adam with his violet eyes. “I got it taken care of for a while, but I think it’s infected again.” Adam had desperately wanted to be with him again, for five entire weeks. “I’ll cooperate if Dawson keeps me company,” he said. After what he’d just survived, he was done letting opportunities pass him by. Here he was; so close, but still so damn far away.

Doc looked up in surprise. He glanced over at Dawson. “Of course,” he declared. “I don’t know why he hasn’t already shoved his way in here. I think he’d carry you around in his mouth like a pup, if you’d fit.”

Dawson stepped easily onto the tailgate. His giant presence filled the rear of the truck. He stood directly over Adam, running his cheeks and jowls over everything he could reach. He licked Adam’s face and hands. Adam wrapped his arms around Dawson’s neck. He buried his face in the thick fur and inhaled. The familiar scent was comforting, after so long without it. He was so glad to be able to touch Dawson again.

“I think he was waiting to make sure you were okay with him being close,” Doc said, taking a bunch of things out of one of his bags. “We don’t know what happened to you. Part of my eval is to see if you still have all your marbles.” He grinned broadly.

“I got roughed up a couple of times, but nothing too bad,” Adam replied. “I got the arm wound during the ambush, before I was snatched. I’m good, Doc. I’m happy to be back with you guys. My marbles are fine.”

“Good to hear, sir,” Doc said with a nod. “Now, if you could lay back so I can work up a report and radio ahead to the hospital.”

Adam settled back onto the blankets. It was about as comfortable as what his captors had had him sleeping on, but he didn’t give a shit. He was in the back of a Marine Corps vehicle and that’s all that mattered.

Doc took a pair of blunt-tipped scissors and cut into the sleeve of Adam’s T-shirt. He started to cut away the soiled, gray bandage around his bicep. Adam watched him work, until Dawson’s oversized head kept blocking his view.

“Dawson, dude, you’re in my fucking way,” Doc exclaimed in exasperation. “I know you’re worried and shit, but I got this. You know I’ll take good care of him.”

Dawson made a frustrated whine, but he moved around until he could lie down along Adam’s right side.

“Perfect,” Adam murmured. He wrapped his arm under Dawson’s throat and up around his neck, until Adam could scratch at his head.

“Doc, what happened to Roger Allen?” asked Adam. “I remember he got shot just before I got snatched. Is he okay?”

Marchesi paused for several moments. He looked like he was searching his memory. “Oh! Yeah, he made it. He’s just fine. He got a ticket home in the deal. Last I heard he was rehabbing at the Warrior Clinic in Bethesda, and was expected to return to full duty.”

Adam sighed with relief. “Good. That’s really good to hear.” He was sure there were others who hadn’t been as lucky, but he wasn’t ready to deal with that, yet.

“You guys ready to step off? We’re oscar-mike,” someone called from rear of the truck. The tailgate slammed shut. Several seconds later, they were in motion.

“Yeah, you got a pretty bad infection goin’ on here, sir,” Doc announced. “Nothing that some hygiene and a course of antibiotics can’t tackle, though.” The corpsman was rough as he cleaned out Adam’s wound.

Adam didn’t even feel the pain. He kept his arm around Dawson. He was afraid to look away, he didn’t want Dawson to disappear and this to be an hallucination.

“I got that cleaned out, sir, but the doctors will want to do a good irrigation job when we land. How’s your pain?”

“What pain?” Adam asked, scratching behind Dawson’s ear.

“That answers that,” Doc said with an amused tone.

The corpsman examined Adam from head to toe. He took all of his vitals as he asked questions about how, what, how often, and how much Adam had been fed. Doc was impressed that his kidnappers hadn’t let him get dehydrated.

After the third time the radio crackled to life with a demand for Doc’s status report on Adam’s condition, the corpsman gave up and keyed his mic. Adam was alive and well. He’d been well fed and kept hydrated. His only wound was sustained before his capture and would heal completely with proper treatment. There were no signs of abuse. Adam was lucid and in good spirits.

When Adam heard the response and confirmation that they were only a few minutes away from Camp Fallujah, he knew he’d been right. He could have made it to safety on foot, even if the Marines hadn’t happened along at that very moment. As long as the desert werewolves didn’t chase him down.

Their small convoy blew through the main gate at Camp Fallujah. Adam sat up, preparing to climb out of the truck when they arrived at the hospital. He wondered if they’d let him shower before poking and prodding at him again.

The truck came to a jarring stop at the rear of the hospital, where the field ambulances delivered their wounded. A Marine appeared and lowered the tailgate of the truck.

Doc gathered up his large pack of supplies. “You need help getting out, sir?”

Adam wondered vaguely why Doc had started calling him sir. “Nah. I got this, Doc. Thanks for taking good care of me.”

“It’s an honor, sir,” the corpsman replied.

Adam climbed to his feet. He walked to the end of the truck, jumped off the open tailgate, and landed solidly on the ground.

“Where is he?” A forceful voice demanded frantically. A crowd of Marines started to part. “Is he here? Is that him?”

Adam stood frozen to his spot. His jaw dropped as his brain struggled to process the sight of his brother Tim, running directly toward him.

Before he could ask what the hell Tim was doing in Iraq, his brother slammed into him. Tim wrapped his arms tightly around Adam’s shoulders. Reflexively, Adam hugged Tim around the chest, fisting both hands in Tim’s uniform.

“Jesus Christ, kid. I was so fucking worried about you.” Tim’s voice was shaky and rough. “We knew you were close, but we just couldn’t find where you were being held. You have no idea how glad I am that you’re okay. I’m so fucking glad to have you back, bro.”

Tears pricked the backs of Adam’s eyes as he and his brother held on to each other desperately. A small tremor ran through Tim’s frame, surprising the hell out of Adam.

“I’m really fucking glad to be back.” Adam’s confession came easily for once. “I’m surprised as hell that you’re here, but I’m really fucking glad you are.”

“Is he here? Is he back? Is that him? Is that him?” Another familiar voice came from behind Adam, surprising him even more.

A solid body collided with Adam and Tim. Another set of strong arms wrapped around the both of them. “Oh my God, Adam! Is it you? Is it really you? Dammit, kid, it’s good to have you back safe.”

Adam lifted his face from Tim’s shoulder. “Eric? What the hell are you doing here?”

“My baby brother was being held captive in Iraq. Where the hell else would I be?” Eric demanded incredulously.

Eric’s arms were wrapped tightly around both Adam and Tim. He stood directly behind Adam, pressed close, as he breathed into Adam’s hair.

“He got here before I did, since he was coming from Africa, instead of North America,” Tim explained with a weak chuckle.

“I’m glad you’re here, too, Eric.” Adam hid his face against Tim’s shoulder again.

Someone placed a hand on the top of Adam’s head. It felt affectionate. Tim turned his face and placed a loud, wet kiss on Adam’s cheek. Adam had never felt so loved, not even as a kid. He tightened his arms around Tim, trusting they knew he returned that love.

“If you ever get yourself kidnapped again, I’ll kick your ass,” Tim said.

“I’ll hold him down for you,” Eric quipped.

All three of them burst into laughter. Adam felt transported back to his childhood, when they all got along and the love flowed free and easy between them.

“I am just so fucking glad I get to call Mom with good news, finally,” said Tim. “I think she’s ready to fly over here and tear Iraq apart to find her baby.”

Adam knew Tim wasn’t exaggerating by much. And he didn’t even mind being referred to as a baby.

“Can anybody tell me why a giant wolf is hovering beside us?” Eric asked hesitantly. “He looks ready to take Adam away from us. This wouldn’t happen to be Dawson Rivers would it?”

Tim and Adam both burst into laughter. With obvious reluctance, they released each other. Adam used the hem of his shirt to dry his face. He turned to find Dawson sitting on his haunches, not looking at all patient. He nearly vibrated with impatience.

“Yeah. This is Dawson,” Adam said. “Dawson, this is my oldest brother, Eric.”

“We’ve met, actually,” said Eric. “I’ve managed to get to know him, a little—as a human, anyway.” He looked around them. “There are a hell of a lot of werewolves around here. I just never knew which of them was Dawson.”

Adam wrapped both arms around Dawson’s neck and buried his face in the thick, warm fur. Dawson let his head hang down over Adam’s shoulder. Finally, he relaxed against Adam. It felt real to Adam, at last. He was free from his captors, and he didn’t have to fear this was a dream that would end, forcing Adam awake and still imprisoned.

“I don’t want to break up the reunion, sirs, I really don’t,” Doc Marchesi said, breaking into the warmth of Adam’s reunions with his stark reality. “But we really need to get Adam inside to be seen by the doctors.”

Adam pulled away reluctantly, heading toward the emergency entrance of the hospital. He kept the fingers of one hand curled into Dawson’s fur. “All right. Fine. But I want a shower first, or I’m going to be grumpy and uncooperative.”

“And how is that different from every other day of your life?” Eric asked with a grin.

“Worse,” Adam replied as Eric wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in for another hug.

Doc Marchesi lead Adam and his entourage into the hospital. Adam followed, Dawson beside him. Tim and Eric entered behind them, several wolves right on their heels.

A doctor and a nurse approached the corpsman. “Is this our famous rescued hero?” the doctor asked.

Adam frowned at the gross exaggeration.

“Yes, Captain,” Doc replied. “This is civilian contractor, Adam Madison.”

“I’m Captain Henry Graham.” He shook Adam’s hand. “Let’s get you set up in your room. I imagine you want to get cleaned up, and we need to get you worked up and any needed treatments started.”

“If I could get a shower before anything else, that would be the best thing in the world,” Adam said, not ashamed of the pleading tone in his voice.

“Excuse me, Captain?” Tim spoke up from behind Adam. “I really don’t want to tell you how to run your hospital. But if you hadn’t already planned to keep Adam in the shifter-friendly wing, you might want to consider it.”

Adam knew, he just knew the captain was going to politely blow off Tim, rank be damned. To his surprise, another doctor stepped forward. “Hey, Henry, I’ll take this off your hands, if you want. With the pack leader hanging around, you’re gonna have werewolves underfoot constantly. I just came on, you’re about to go off duty. I’m fresh, I’ll handle it for you.”

Graham looked reluctant, like he wanted the prestige of a V.I.P. patient. But he seemed just tired enough to want the hassle off his hands. “If you don’t mind, Cody. It’s probably for the best.”

The new doctor turned to Adam. “I’m Captain Cody Kerr,” he said. “It’ll be an honor to care for the pack leader’s companion. Let’s get you settled in the shifter wing, so your wolves can start coming by to make sure you’re okay.”

“Thanks, Captain,” Adam said, immensely relieved. He didn’t need to ask to know Doctor Kerr was a shifter of some sort, probably a werewolf. He tilted his head toward Dawson. “Have you met the pack leader yet?”

“I’ve had the honor, yes.” The doctor inclined his head at Dawson. “I promise I’ll take very good care of your companion.” He turned to the nurse who had stood watching the drama unfold, an amused expression on her face. “Julie, I assume the private room in the shifter wing is open and ready for us to use?”

“Of course it is,” she replied with a bright smile. “I’m Lieutenant Julie Cochrane. I’ll get you settled while the corpsman briefs Captain Kerr.”

The tension surrounding Adam faded like air escaping a balloon. Tim’s shoulders dropped and Dawson’s stance relaxed. Julie’s bedside manner was already winning everyone over.

The nurse led everyone down the main corridor of the shifter wing. Directly across the hall from the main ward where Adam had visited Jason, Julie opened a wide door. Flipping on the lights, she revealed a very large hospital room, containing a single hospital bed. Adam noticed the bed was oversized, and by now it was easy to guess why. Along with all the expected electronic medical monitors and devices, there were a large number of comfortable looking visitor’s chairs.

Crossing to the bed, Julie picked up a thin stack of clothing. She handed it to Adam. “That’s your private head.” She gestured toward a partially opened door, through which Adam could see a sink. “The other door is a closet, which I doubt you’ll need. I imagine you want those clothes burned.” Her smile was both understanding and filled with humor.