Page 53

I get off the plane. I’ve missed Jola. I want to call her, but I know once I do that, I won’t go and debrief with the team and the client. Thunder lost a guy, and one of my guys got injured. We have a lot to talk about. It’s best I debrief before calling her. Smith drives us to the office, where we all sit and talk about the events of the last two days, what we could have done to be more efficient, and what we missed. As we talk, my phone rings; it’s Declan. I was going to send him to voicemail but decide against it. I answer the call and step out of the room. The team looks my way, surprised by my unusual behavior. But my mind is already on going home to Jola.

“Hey,” I say.

“Good, you answered. I wanted to check on Lexi; I hope she’s feeling better. And her work is amazing. Would she be opposed to staying full-time on the team? Julian could really use her help.” He quickly spills, but all I hear is him asking if she feels better.

“Let me call you back, Dec,” I say, hanging up fast.

I immediately call Ice. Phone rings, no answer. I return to the room; everyone is quietly waiting for me.

“Malik, find Ice and Lexi right now,” I command.

He quickly switches the laptop. My palm is sweaty as I watch him click away. It feels like the simple task is taking hours. The room is quiet, all eyes on me and mine on Malik as I try to control my fear.

“She’s at home,” he says. Some relief washes through me.

“And Ice?” I ask. Why isn’t he answering my call?

“He’s with her.” He turns the computer to me, and I see the dots of both, but I notice something.

“That’s not my unit.” I concentrate on the graphic layout. Malik stares at the screen as my thoughts rage with questions.

“Yes, that’s Ice’s unit,” Malik confirms.

I dial Ice again, still no answer.

“You guys finish up, I’m going home,” I say as I walk out of the room.

My drive home is erratic and fast, but I make it in one piece. I race up the floors, adrenaline pumping. I get to Ice’s door and bang on it. He doesn’t answer, and then realize that would put him on alert for danger.

So, I yell. “It’s me, Ice. Open the fucking door!”

I hear fast steps, and Ice yells, “No,” but Jola has already sprung the door open.

“Bruce!” She jumps into my arms.

I catch her and hold her tight as she buries her head on my shoulder. “I missed you,” she whispers. We stand for a minute with me breathing her in. Fuck, I doubt I can go on another mission. She pushes back and I set her feet down. I see it right away: her black eye and bandaged arm. My scowl is immediate as I turn to Ice.

“What the fuck happened, Ice?” The raw fury in my voice is undeniable.

Jola cups my face, forcing me to look at her.

“Bruce, it was an accident. I was clumsy when he was training me,” she says quickly.

My face tightens in confusion. I try to turn toward Ice, but she holds my face firmly on her.

“I stumbled and hit my face on the cabinet, and made it worse when I fell backward and twisted my wrist; it’s just a little strained.”

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yes, I’m fine. Ice took me to Dr Collins and he said no damage. The black eye will go away over time; it just looks worse than it really is.” Her smile widens. “I’m glad you are back.”

“Me too.” She takes my hand and pulls me toward the door. I know she’s trying to diffuse my anger by pulling me away from Ice. I still need to hear exactly what happened from Ice.

I don’t move despite her attempts.

“What happened?” My voice is stern when I ask Ice.

“Two days ago, we wanted to train in a small space, the kitchen to be exact. We struggled and when I pushed her—”