Emma’s gaze lingered on his for several seconds. Looking as if she wanted to say something more profound, in the end, she offered him a simple, “Thanks.”
The doors opened, and Trace motioned for her to exit first. When they got to Mac’s room, they found the door propped open. Coop was standing on one side of the bed, and Olivia, Jake’s wife, sitting in the chair on the other.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Coop jerked his chin upward with a sideways grin. “How’s it going?”
“Good.” Emma went over and gave her brother a hug. To Mac, she asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m ready to pay you a million dollars to spring me from this place. You game?”
Everyone laughed, including Olivia. Standing, she spoke as she walked in Trace’s direction.
“There’s a reason the doctor wants to keep you here another day or so, Mac.”
Olivia stopped in front of him. With a weary smile, she opened her arms and went in for a hug. “Hey, Trace.” She squeezed him tightly. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too.” Trace returned the hug. “Wish it was under better circumstances.”
“We all do.” She gave him a sad smile.
He’d met Olivia a couple of months ago, after he’d accepted the job to run Charlie Team. She was everything Jake had ever described, and then some.
“How’s he doing today?”
“Same as yesterday.” She stepped out of his embrace. “Doctors don’t know much yet, but I’ve looked through his scans, and things look hopeful. I mean, it’s Jake.” Tears welled in Olivia’s dark eyes. “He’s survived worse than this. He’s gotta wake up soon, right?”
“Hell yeah, he will.” Trace offered her words of support.
He had no idea if her claims of a hopeful outlook for her husband were medically sound or a wife’s wishful thinking. Either way, he sure as hell wasn’t going to be the one to question it.
Giving Emma an equally tight hug, Olivia said, “I was so glad to hear you’re okay.”
Trace couldn’t help but notice Emma looked as if she were fighting back tears.
“I’m so sorry about Jake,” she told the other woman.
“Thank you.” Olivia pulled back. “But you’ve worked with my husband long enough to know he’s too damn stubborn to let something like a little bomb take him down for long. Speaking of which.” She looked down at her watch. “I’d better get back up there. Mikey’s going to call so I can talk to Lilly. Plus, I don’t like leaving him alone for too long, just in case.”
The last part came out as a broken whisper, the woman’s fresh tears ripping into Trace’s heart.
Jake, man. You’ve gotta come out of this. Wake your ass up soon, okay?
“Tell your brother and Jules hi for me,” Mac called from the bed, referring to Olivia’s brother and his live-in girlfriend. “You know where to find me.”
“Thanks.” Olivia sniffled. “I’ll let you know when they clear him for visitors.”
Throwing his hat in the ring, Trace said, “You need anything, just let us know.”
With a fierceness Jake had once told him his wife possessed, she locked eyes with him and said, “Just find the son of a bitch who did this.”
Giving her a solemn nod, Trace watched as the worn-out woman left to go be with her husband.
“Damn.” Coop ran a hand over his face. “I hate this for her.”
“Me, too.” Mac looked up at her fiancé. “She’s right, though. We need to be out there looking for this guy.”
“The team’s on it, baby.” Coop grabbed his partner’s hand. “Eric, too. You know we won’t stop until this son of a bitch is caught.”
Just then, Trace’s phone began to ring. Not recognizing the number, he walked into the hallway to answer the call.