Mantis (K19 Security Solutions 4)

Dutch’s phone blew up when he turned it on after the plane he was on landed in Germany. He’d missed several calls, had messages waiting, and texts marked urgent from Mantis and Doc.

He read Doc’s first.

There’s been an accident.

He scrubbed his face with his hand, fearing the worst and not wanting to confirm it.

Before he could answer Doc’s text, something heavy hit his head, and then everything went black. The phone he’d been holding in his hand now lay by the side of the road.

Chapter 18

Mantis and Alegria

Every time Alegria tried to move, Mantis woke up. “Any better?” he’d ask, hoping the effects of the epidural were wearing off.

Each time she’d answer the same way, “Nothing has changed.”

He checked his phone, hoping there was word from either Dutch or Doc, but hadn’t heard from either of them. Soon, the doctor should be in, and maybe they’d get a better idea why she still couldn’t move her legs.

“Good morning,” he said when she opened her eyes and met his gaze. He brushed the hair from her forehead like he had so many times in the last few hours. He couldn’t explain it, but it was as though he had to have some part of his body touching hers at all times. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “Not really. You can get something to eat though.”

Mantis looked at his phone again. It was almost eight. Not that he’d leave her anyway, but he wouldn’t risk even a quick trip to the cafeteria knowing he might miss the doctor.

“Good morning,” said his mother, walking into the room with something that smelled so good it made Mantis’ stomach growl.

“What’s in there?” he asked, reaching for the bag.

She swatted his hand. “Something for Alegria.”

Alegria smiled when his mom handed the bag to her. It was a beautiful sight to see. He couldn’t remember if she’d smiled at all since the surgery.

“Warm croissants. Yum,” she murmured.

“There’s raspberry jam in the bottom of the bag too.”

He was starving, but the idea that his mother had found something Alegria wanted to eat kept him from asking her to share.

“Why don’t you take a break,” suggested his mother. “I’ll stay with Alegria.”

Mantis shook his head. “I don’t want to miss the doctor,” he muttered. When neither appeared to have heard him, he stood and went into the hallway.

“Mantis,” said Doc, answering his call on the first ring.

“I just realized how early it is out there.”

“Early? Zero six hundred?” Doc laughed. “Laird makes sure we don’t sleep past sunrise.”

“Right,” Mantis had no desire to talk about Doc and Merrigan’s baby. He wanted answers.

“Where the hell is Dutch?”

“I wish I knew. Still no response.”

“Are you worried?”

“Not yet. It isn’t like he hasn’t pulled this shit before.”