Page 127 of Blake

“Neither was my answer.”

Emmett stepped closer. “Blake, listen to him.”

He gave his boss a furious look. “Don’t you dare tell me to stay here while she’s out there going through God only knows what.”

“It’s not indefinite. I’m just asking you to give Lucas five minutes to explain what you’re dealing with.”

Blake looked at the medic. “Fine. Go.”

Lucas exhaled. “The bullet entered your lower left side and passed through soft tissue. It missed your organs and is a clean through-and-through.”

“If nothing major was hit, then⁠—”

“You’re also running on pain medication, you’ve lost blood, and you have stitches that can reopen if you push too hard.”

“I’ll be careful.” Blake looked at Emmett. “Get my clothes.”

The stoic man crossed his arms but said nothing. Instead, he studied Blake a moment longer.

Then he nodded.

“Lucas, go talk to the doctor. Tell him our boy wants to sign out A.M.A.”

Lucas muttered a curse under his breath, then muttered something about only idiots sign themselves out of a hospital against medical advice.

One hour and forty-two minutes later, Blake was walking through the doors of Echo Team’s headquarters.

Every step felt like someone was driving a knife into his side, but he ignored it. Lucas had managed to convince the attending physician to release him under strict conditions.

Take his medication. Avoid strenuous activity. Return immediately if he experienced increased bleeding, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Blake had agreed to everything. Whether he intended to follow those instructions was another matter.

Emmett walked beside him, carrying the small bag of prescriptions. Claire looked up from the reception desk as they entered.

Her green eyes widened.

“Blake!”

“I’m fine.”

“You look terrible.”

“Good to see you, too.” He forced a smile he didn’t feel.

She hurried around the desk. “Lucas called and said you were coming, but shouldn’t you be home, in bed?”

“Where is everyone?” He ignored her question.

“Conference room.”

Blake started down the hallway. The conference room door stood open.

Inside, Gwen sat at the table with her laptop, while Lincoln Boone stood beside the wall-mounted screen. Draven occupied a chair near the far end, the expression on his face grim.

Even Jethro was there. He stood near the window, speaking quietly into his phone. Every head turned when Blake entered.

Gwen was on her feet before he took another step.