Breaking Free

  ****

  Zoe pulled into the first available space at the parking structure her thoughts on Hawk and his return to duty with his team. He seemed happier, energized being back to work. She didn’t know whether to be happy for him or resentful. She missed having him at the house.

  He’d looked dangerous and handsome that morning dressed in desert camouflage pants and a dark t-shirt that hugged his muscular torso. The sunglasses he had donned had hidden his eyes and given him a menacing air. When he’d looked over them at her, she’d nearly melted beneath the heat in his gaze and came closer to doing just that when he’d grabbed her and kissed her good-bye.

  The late afternoon sunlight had dimmed to a dusky glow on the horizon as she entered the hospital. Her mother had returned to Lexington and with Hawk at work, the house had seemed empty all afternoon, but it had given her some time to think. She’d filled out the application to work at the hospital. It had felt like a leap off a tall cliff into open space, but she’d done it. She’d drop it off at the office before going upstairs to see Brett.

  Since it was closing time at the office, she handed the application off to one of the personnel there and wound her way down the corridor to the emergency bay waiting room to the elevators. She pushed the button next to the doors and caught a glimpse of a serviceman dressed in body armor standing at the entrance to the waiting room. From the back, his wide shoulders and pale blond hair reminded her of Derrick Armstrong.

  Thoughts of Marjorie had her stepping away from the bank of elevators and limping to the door. “Derrick?”

  At the sound of his name he turned to face her. Standing behind him, Doc and Bowie looked up.

  “Hey, guys. What are you doing here?”

  The three exchanged looks. “There was a training accident and we brought one of the team in to be checked out,” Bowie said. “We’re sticking around to give him a ride home once he’s released.”

  Zoe’s attention went from one to the other. The way they kept avoiding her gaze had her breath catching in her throat. Her face felt numb. “Is it Hawk?” Her voice sounded as though from far away. ”What happened?” If it wasn’t serious they wouldn’t be here.

  Doc grasped her arm above the elbow. “He’s okay, Zoe. The goggles protected his eyes.”

  His eyes. There was something wrong with his eyes. Her ears filled with a horrible ringing and spots swam before her gaze.

  “Whoa,” Bowie grabbed her upper arm as Doc’s grasp tightened. They guided her to a seat. Doc forced her head down. A wave of nausea struck her, and she thought she might throw up.

  “He’s all right, Zoe. It’s just a bruise, and a little eye irritation, but we thought it best to get it checked out just in case,” Doc reassured her as he squatted close.

  Someone slapped a wet cloth on the back of her neck, which helped. As the nausea passed, she eased up to test her ability to stay upright.

  “I’m good to go guys,” Hawk’s voice came from behind Bowie and Derrick. His tone changed to one of impatience as he said. “My cheekbone’s not broken just bruised. Damn paperwork took longer than the exam.”

  Just the sound of his voice had quick tears stinging her eyes. She pushed herself off the seat and someone’s hand beneath her elbow offered her support.

  A look of surprise flitted across Hawk’s face when he saw her. A purple bruise discolored his cheek and the whites of his eyes looked painfully inflamed. “What are you doing here, Zoe?” His tone held a hint of accusation as his gaze swept the men around her.

  “I was just dropping some paperwork off at the office before going up to see Brett,” she explained. His tone, his look--he hadn’t wanted her to know. She swallowed against the painful knot of emotion lodged in her throat. “I saw Derrick standing in the waiting room and came in to see what was going on.”

  He tossed his vest to Bowie and his hand curved over her shoulder and he drew her close. Zoe hid her face against his chest as she struggled against the soul pounding relief that raced through her. He smelled of sweat, him, and a foreign smell, like firecrackers. It took her a moment to process that it was gunpowder.

  “I’m fine, Zo. It was just an accident.” His hand cupped the back of her head.

  Unable to speak, she nodded. Dear God, how precious he was to her. She clung to him, the urge to wail her fear and grief almost more than she could control. It was some moments before she trusted herself to step back from him. Her tears left two dark wet spots on his blue t-shirt mid-chest. She looked around for the other men, but they were gone. Hawk’s body armor lay on the chair next to them.

  “Let’s go home. You can call Brett from your cell in the car.”

  She nodded.