The Ex Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 1)

by Victoria Paige

  Declan sat, ass on the ground, hands in his hair, trying to keep from losing his shit.

  Bristow took the drug and administered the second dose.

  “Come on. Come on,” Bristow mumbled.

  “How many can you give her?” Declan asked.

  The nurse ignored him and spoke to the EMT.

  “Shouldn’t you take her to the hospital now?”

  “We’re doing everything we can,” Bristow snapped. “She’s breathing, but it’s shallow. We have to wait a few minutes to administer another dose.”

  “Goddammit!” Declan shifted to a crouch, ignoring Bristow’s warning glare and the first responder’s discomfort with having a near-rabid man breathing down their necks.

  “Her mouth is turning blue!” Declan roared.

  “Calm your shit, Roarke, before I have you ejected from here,” Bristow warned as he prepared another dose.

  Not willing to risk getting separated from Gabby, he redirected all his fears to her again. “You better wake up, Angel, or I’m gonna paddle that ass red.” He inhaled sharply before expelling the words he couldn’t say to her. “I love you, dammit! You’re not dying on me, you hear? I don’t care if it’s heaven or hell, I’m gonna hunt you down and drag your ass back to me. You. Are. Not allowed to fucking die!”

  “Jesus,” the EMT said.

  The walls were closing in on his chest and he was having difficulty drawing in a breath. Maybe he needed to be dosed with the same meds. “I’m serious, Gabrielle Woodward. You wake up—”

  “Asshole.”

  The single whispered word was music to Declan’s ears.

  He shoved Bristow aside and cupped Gabby’s face. “Say it again.” His eyes rested on her face, searching for that sign that he wasn’t hallucinating, and he heard her speak.

  Her eyelids fluttered, but they didn’t open. Her mouth moved with no sound.

  “Angel, please, talk to me.”

  “You talk too much.”

  He could barely make out her words, but he chuckled, more from relief and maybe so he wouldn’t break down and cry. “I love you, Angel.” Now that he’d said the words he couldn’t stop saying them.

  “Hate to break this up,” Bristow said behind him. “But let’s save the mushy stuff for later, shall we?” The nurse motioned to the EMT to transfer Gabby to the gurney.

  Declan stayed close as they strapped her in. Even as they wheeled her away, he refused to be more than a few steps behind her.

  She was alive.

  She was his oxygen.

  He needed her to breathe.

  25

  Ever since the first fentanyl attack nine months prior, hospitals and first responders were better equipped to handle terrorist attacks of this nature. There were fewer fatalities this time, six as opposed to the thirty who died in the shopping center tragedy. Among the six, half had died from injuries caused by the stampede.

  Declan stood inside Gabby’s room as the doctor checked her vitals. Since getting her loaded into an ambulance, she hadn’t regained consciousness. That was an hour ago.

  “There’s no reason for her not to wake up,” the doctor said. “Fentanyl can cause lethargy and her body is dealing with expelling the drug. The important thing is her breathing is almost back to normal, but I’d recommend we keep her overnight.”

  Sounds good to me, Declan didn’t say, but he nodded. The physician marked off her chart and walked up to Declan. “She’s tough. I know it’s hard to see her laid up this way, but the Narcan was delivered in time. I’m not seeing any long-term side effects from this. Probably a headache for a couple of days.”

  When the doctor left the room, Theo came charging in, followed closely by Levi. “How is she?”

  “She’s okay. Just sleeping it off.”

  Theo’s face turned troubled. “I received a call from the hospital that mother was here.”

  Startled, Declan glanced at Levi, but his partner gave a shake of his head. Theo meant Claudette. He didn’t even wonder if that woman was alive or dead and didn’t know how to talk to Theo about her.

  His son looked him straight in the eye. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “I’ll stay in the room,” Levi said.

  “Any change in her breathing—”

  “Roarke,” Levi’s tone was firm. “I got this, bro. Talk to your son.” A lot of meaning dripped in that last statement. Declan was reluctant to leave Gabby’s side, but he had a strong compulsion to tell Theo she was his mother. Gabby could have died not once embracing Theo as her son. The lies of the past seventeen years no longer stood between them. His jaw hardened. This had gone on long enough.

  When they left the room, Declan led Theo to the stairwell. It seemed like a common enough place where private conversations were held.

  “You doing okay?” Declan asked.

  “You look like shit,” the teenager returned.

  He puffed a laugh. “Thanks. How did you find out Gabby was here?”

  “John? You refer to him as Garrison, I think. He told me. He also told me he didn’t know Claudette’s condition after we got the call from the hospital.”

  Declan’s brows raised to his hairline. “He told you just like that.”

  “He said, and I quote, ‘You need to learn the truth. I’m surprised those idiots haven’t told you yet.’”

  “Oh, that’s rich, especially coming from him.”

  “He’s CIA, isn’t he?”

  “No comment.”

  “You work for the CIA?” Theo sounded excited, then his face took on that apprehensive look again. “He told me to ask you about Claudette, but I think I already know.”

  “You do?” He probably didn’t, otherwise he wouldn’t be so calm and matter-of-fact.

  “With her in the hospital at the same time as Gabby, did she have anything to do with Ortega? Or the virus that scared the shit out of everyone?”

  “How did you come to this conclusion?”

  “Hollywood, dude,” Theo said as if Declan should already know. “I’ve heard things all my life. Drug-addicted has-been actors accusing Claudette of ruining their lives. Then they’d turn up dead on the wrong side of town. Sometimes I see the bimbo that married my dad. Sometimes I think it’s a façade and she’s conniving as hell. So,” Theo blew out a breath. “Am I right?”

  “Nothing is certain …” he started, eyes wary.

  “Stop protecting me,” Theo burst out, his maturing voice suddenly cracking a brief falsetto. He winced at the change, but shrugged it off, clearing his throat. “For once, let’s not keep any secrets. Because I don’t want to be that person who hates his mother for no reason.”

  Tell him!

  “You know what’s fucking me up?” he continued. “I have no desire to see her, but I would lose my mind if something happened to Gabby. My sister, who, until recently, didn’t even pay me any attention, who isn’t even related to me by blood. My sister who now might be warming up to me because of you.”

  “What? No. No, Theo, you’ve got that all wrong—”

  “Have I? Huh?” The register of Theo’s voice was now all over the place, but the teenager seemed to stop caring. “She’s tolerating me because I’m your son.” Hurt was written all over his face and before Declan could correct him, he added. “I’m sorry about what I said this morning, all right? Levi told me I wasn’t being fair—”

  “Levi’s got a big mouth.”

  “He’s a good man, just like I know you are.” He bowed his head, a wry grin tilting one corner of his mouth. “So you know where all my resentment is coming from.”

  “Gabby bitched at me about your blind fight scene,” Declan reminded him. “She was concerned for your safety, and it had nothing to do with me. That scene wasn’t even my suggestion, so when I agreed to it without consulting her first, she was really pissed off.”

  “Why do you need to consult her? She’s not my mom.”

  Tell him!

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” Declan
said quietly.

  His son’s eyes narrowed before widening. “What?”

  “Gabby didn’t lose her baby when she was mugged that day. Someone stole you from us.”

  Theo stared at him blankly, growing pale before he turned away. His head dropped to his chest as his hand came up, probably hovering around his mouth. He faced Declan again. “Claudette?”

  Declan nodded.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive.”

  A mixture of anger and hurt flashed through the teenager’s face. “Gabby knew all along?”

  “Only for the last two weeks.”

  Theo looked away again as if sorting through his memories of that time frame and then started shaking his head. “I don’t know. I’ve known her as my sister for far too long, I can’t picture her as my mom. Wait! Did Dad know about this?”

  “Not until after he divorced Claudette. Look, it’s complicated, and we’ve spent way more time away from your sister’s room than I’m comfortable with. We’ll explain to you what we know, but not now. I need to focus on Gabby, all right?”

  “Mom—”

  “What?”

  “You said sister.” He shrugged. “She’s my mom.”

  “Let’s not shock her with this, okay?” Apprehension rose inside him as they made their way back up the steps. Gabby was gonna freak at him for breaking the news to Theo without her, but maybe not. Declan did the hard work, dammit. Besides, Theo appeared to absorb the news well.

  So it was with much surprise when they got out of the stairwell that Theo made a beeline for the nurses’ station.

  “I need Claudette Dumont’s room number,” Theo said.

  The nurse registered recognition and stuttered. “Mr. Cole … I, I’m afraid she’s not allowed to have visitors even from family.”

  “Who do I need to—”

  “Come on, kid, leave the nurse alone.” Declan wrapped an arm around Theo’s neck, pulling him close and leading him away.

  His son jerked himself out of his hold and glared. “You think I’m just gonna let her get away with this?” Eyes, so like Declan’s, filled with tears. “She stole my life. My life with you and Gabby.”

  “You didn’t turn out so bad.”

  “Fuck you!” The boy stalked away, already attracting attention. This wasn’t what he wanted to deal with. Teen drama in a hospital full of people, even if his son did have every reason to be angry.

  Declan kept pace with Theo, until they were in a less busy area of the hallway. He grabbed his son’s arm and immediately put his hands on his face, locking their eyes together.

  “Look at me.” No more kid gloves. Theo was gonna listen. “What the fuck did I say? Gabby needs to be our focus? Can you give me that, Theo?” He squeezed his jaw to make a point.

  The teenager was breathing hard, face ruddy with his fury, but Theo not struggling this time meant Declan was getting through to him.

  He dropped his hands from Theo’s face and the teenager’s head dipped briefly.

  “You’re not going to throw tantrums when we get to Gabby’s room,” he warned.

  “I don’t throw tantrums.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.”

  The teenager’s mouth tightened, before emotion made it tremble, and then his face crumpled. The heart of a parent couldn’t deny that his son was in agony and tough love went out the window.

  “C’mere.” He clasped the back of Theo’s head and drew him into a tight hug. The teenager’s arms were loose at his sides and Declan held his breath, ready for rejection. Then, in slow degrees, he clasped Declan around his waist, before convulsively returning the hug.

  Father and son stood in the hallway, oblivious to people surreptitiously snapping pictures of the teenage star. They would deal with the fallout later.

  At that moment, all that mattered was family.

  It was dark and she walked on a black plane of shallow water. In the distance was a speck of white. As Gabby got closer, she realized it was a claw foot bathtub gilded in gold. Claudette sat in it, covered in bubbles, her golden curls piled up high on her head exposing her swan-like neck. And with much-affected grace, Claudette lathered her arms and legs.

  “You took a while,” her former stepmother told her.

  “Why did you steal Theo?”

  “I did it for love. Don’t we all do things for love?”

  “Not at the expense of others. You denied me seventeen years of Theo’s life.”

  “What can I say? I’m selfish,” Claudette’s tinkling laugh grated against her skull. “And I want Declan.”

  “I thought you were in love with Ortega.”

  “You took Declan from me.” Claudette glared at her, putting down a pink sponge. “He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you. He was only supposed to stay close.” She snorted in disgust. “But what did he do? He married you. Then you cheated on him.” She clucked. “Stupid girl.”

  “I didn’t go through with it,” Gabby whispered. Her head began to throb.

  “Well, you got your family back.” Claudette threw the sponge in the water. “But good god, woman, did you have to kill me?”

  Gabby blinked in confusion. The scene changed. The clawfoot tub was gone, and in its stead was a filthy replacement. Mildew turned the once pristine tub green and gray. Claudette scowled at her.

  “I didn’t.”

  “What will you tell Theo now? He’s gonna hate you for killing his mother.”

  “I’m his mother!”

  The other woman smiled. It wasn’t a pleasant smile. It was a smile full of conniving and malice. “I’m taking him with me.”

  “No!”

  “You’re too late.”

  Gabby sprung forward, jumping into a void and screamed.

  Fingers gripped her shoulders and she fought.

  “Gabby!”

  Her eyes flew open, locking into green concerned ones—bloodshot, and creased with worry at the corners, lines that weren’t there before. “Dec?”

  “Oh, Jesus, Angel.” His eyes were suspiciously bright. “Thank God, you’re awake.”

  “What? I’m in the hospital?” Her tongue felt like dried cotton balls and her nose twitched at the smell of antiseptic.

  Her hands were gripped tight in his as his mouth pressed on the back of her fingers. “You wouldn’t wake up,” he said hoarsely. “It’s been sixteen hours and we were worried that Kelso missed that you hit your head again.”

  “He caught me. I think.”

  “Your CT scans are clear, but dammit, you gave me a scare.”

  “Us.” A voice spoke behind Declan.

  “Theo.” A surge of fear pushed up her throat. “I’m so sorry.”

  The teenager’s brows drew together. “For what?”

  “I wasn’t able to save Claudette.”

  “She’s alive.” There was a flatness in the boy’s tone that vibrated with underlying anger.

  Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of the doctor, who was followed by Bristow and two other nurses. “So, how’s our favorite detective?”

  For once in her life, Gabby wasn’t annoyed by the pokes and prods of the medical staff. It gave her an opportunity to find her bearings under the scrutiny of the two men who’d become her world.

  Claudette is alive.

  Did that mean Gabby saved her? It was a weird feeling when she had so much hate for the woman all her life, but her heart felt less weighed down. Duty to serve and protect won over vengeance. Because vengeance wasn’t hers and she would let due process take its course.

  Besides it would be a form of vengeance to see her in orange. Claudette would be appalled. It would clash with her blond hair.

  A chuckle escaped her.

  The doctor’s brow arched. He lowered the penlight he had on her eyes. “Something funny?”

  “Nothing. Just remembered something.”

  “Are you sure she didn’t hit her head?” Theo chortled.

  Gabby rolled her eyes, extended her ar
m and gave him the middle finger.

  She heard a choked laugh from Declan, and her lips curved into a smile.

  Theo, the little shit, wouldn’t shut up and gave a mock gasp, but the words that followed almost gave her a heart attack.

  “Now is that the right way to talk to your son?” Theo said, deadpan.

  She pushed the doctor’s probe away and turned to face the two guys. Levi edged to the door. Bristow had his mouth covered, controlling a grin.

  “Well then,” the doctor said.

  “Everyone out,” Gabby said slowly, her eyes riveted on Declan who muttered a curse and turned to their son.

  “Did you just throw me off a cliff?” He asked Theo. “What did I fuckin’ say?”

  “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Gabby’s question was directed at her ex-husband.

  “The timing was right, so I took it.” Declan shrugged. “I did tell wonder boy here to avoid giving you a shock.”

  “Aren’t we all tired of secrets?” Theo asked.

  “You’re taking this well.” She finally had the courage to look into his young eyes which had taken on a mature glint since the last time she saw him.

  “Do you blame me?” Theo asked, his voice low. “Claudette never had the motherly gene. I didn’t go looking for it. I had Dad and he was enough. I was just a statement piece to Claudette, much like one of her Chanel bags or Manolos.”

  “You were a beautiful kid,” Gabby said. She was sitting at the edge of the bed and now took a tentative step down. Both guys rushed to help her, but she fended them off.

  “Goodness, I’m not helpless. I’m fine.”

  “Then,” Theo said, looking at her warily. “Can I hug you now—Mom?”

  If there was a heart-in-her-throat moment, this was it. Her eyes grew warm as she nodded.

  Theo took a tentative step toward her and Gabby closed the distance. He was a lankier version of his dad, but he was solid and warm. Their arms wove around each other tightly.

  “You’re my son,” she said in wonder.

  “Yeah,” he replied. “I may slip and call you sis, or Gabby,” he whispered.