“He needs to get to a hospital.”
“We’ll take good care of him, Ms. Hamilton. How are you?”
“I’m okay—just a bit overwhelmed, I guess.” There was a hitch to her voice, and Derek knew she was near tears.
“I bet.” Corbray looked at Perooz, who lay lifeless beside him, his blood pooled in the dirt. “Looks like you two were taking care of business without us.”
Derek gritted his teeth and struggled to lift his weight off Jenna.
“I got you.” Corbray lent him a hand, leaning him back against the post. “You just take it easy, brother.”
“How are the others?” Jenna asked. “Are they…?”
“Ortiz, Cruz, and O’Neal are out of surgery and stable. Jones is alive—but only because of you, Ms. Hamilton. It was touch and go for a while. He’s in ICU at the U.S. military hospital in Kabul.”
That was good news.
“Jenna is … a good field medic,” Derek managed to say.
But the adrenaline was fading, pain and cold and exhaustion taking hold.
Jenna drew him down, pillowed his head in her lap. “Rest. We need to keep him warm. He’ll need IV fluids.”
Corbray shed his coat, spread it over Derek, the warmth precious. “Hang on, buddy. Doc is on his way.”
“Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Tower, you don’t know how relieved I am to find you safe.”
“Kazi.” Rage had Derek fighting to stand. “You bastard!”
Corbray restrained him. “Hey, man, relax. This is a joint operation between Cobra and the governor’s security forces.”
Derek’s gaze locked with Kazi’s. “He’s behind this. You know he is.”
Corbray gave a little shake of his head, his gaze telling Derek to shut up, that they would deal with Kazi later. “He’s helping us out here.”
Kazi turned to Qassim, drew his weapon. “You filthy son of a pig.”
Corbray blocked the shot. “Not here! Not in front of Ms. Hamilton.”
Kazi glared at Corbray but ordered his men to take Qassim outside.
“Wh-what’s happening?” Jenna asked, eyes wide.
“I think Kazi is about to get rid of the evidence,” Corbray said.
Qassim had begun to beg, his shrieks pathetic. “Please don’t! They killed my son! I did what you told me to do! I only did—”
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Jenna gasped, jumped.
Derek took her hand. “It’s okay, angel. It’s okay.”
But it wasn’t okay. She’d been through hell.
“Oh, fuck.” Derek’s world started to break apart, turning to pixels.
“Derek?” Jenna lowered his head gently to her lap once more. “He’s bleeding again. Hand me what’s left of that burqa.”