"You know we'll do whatever you need, man," Zeke said quietly. "Even after. This isn't something you should be doing alone. That's not the way we work and you know it."
"But this isn't an official assignment," Isaac began.
"Shut the fuck up," Dex said rudely. "Granted we haven't worked for DSS as long as the rest of you. We're the new recruits. But we've been here long enough to know that this isn't the way shit ever goes down. We're a team-family-and that means not leaving you on your own just because she isn't an official fucking assignment. So suck it up. Can't speak for the others, but you've got me as long as you need me. I'll have your back and whatever you need done. All you have to do is say the word."
Zeke and Shadow didn't say anything, but their expressions said it all. They weren't going anywhere either.
Isaac breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I really appreciate this. Let's move out. I need you to take her to my place. One of you stays on her every single minute. I don't want her waking up alone and terrified. The other two need to scout the entire perimeter and make damn sure no one's poking around. This won't take long at HQ, and I'll meet you back at my place as soon as possible."
"You got it," Zeke said. "No one will get close to her, Isaac. Swear it to you on my life."
Isaac gave him and the others a chin lift. "That was never in doubt. Dane only hires the best, so even if I didn't already know how steady y'all were, just the fact that he hired and put his stamp of approval on the three of you would be enough for me to trust you with my life-and hers."
Dex tossed him the keys to the other SUV and Isaac stole one last glance at the woman who'd miraculously healed him. He hated leaving her even for a short while, but he had no choice. Clenching the keys in his fist, he forced himself to turn and start walking to the other vehicle.
"Keep me posted," he said, turning back for a moment. "I want to know if she comes around, how she is." Then he sucked in a breath and stared at his teammates, not caring what they could read into his tone or expression. "Keep her safe for me," he whispered.
"You know we will," Dex said in a quiet voice. "Now go so you can get back to her."
FOUR
ISAAC parked in the garage where DSS was headquartered in downtown Houston and quickly got out. He needed to make this short and sweet and then deal with whatever the consequences were. He didn't give a shit whether he had Dane and Beau's stamp of approval or not. It wasn't even negotiable. If they wouldn't stand down, he'd simply walk away.
He jerked in surprise at that thought as he got out of the elevator on the floor of the DSS offices. Quit? Walk away? From a job that was his entire life? The job that consumed him to the exclusion of all else? Never would he have imagined any scenario where he'd choose something else over his job-his teammates-his . . . family. But he wouldn't even have to think twice in this situation.
She needed him and he owed her more than he could ever repay. It was also obvious she was in serious trouble, and if he didn't protect her, who would?
He walked into the offices and nearly ran into Eliza. He hugged her fiercely and she didn't even threaten to cut his nuts off, instead hugging him back just as fiercely.
As he stepped away, his gaze inspected her, leaving no detail out. She looked relaxed. Happy. Healed. There was a soft light in her eyes that had never existed before. Isaac supposed that was what love and redemption did for a person.
Then he also realized something else and frowned. "What the hell are you doing here, Lizzie? You aren't due back at work for another . . ."
She scowled. "Three weeks. Yeah, yeah, I know. Not sure who the bigger asshole is-my husband for arranging three months off or Dane for agreeing to it. All without my knowledge or anyone asking me how much time I wanted off."
"You were shot, woman. You nearly died," he said gruffly. "Cut yourself-and us-some slack, okay? Especially that poor bastard you married. You damn near died in his arms. Hell, you did die."
Her eyes softened and then she frowned again. "I get it, but three months? It's not as if I hadn't already had time off before the wedding."
"Uh, do me a favor, Lizzie. Don't push to come back just yet. Not until I get a chance to talk to you, okay?"
Her eyes immediately became piercing, concern crowding her features as she took a step back. "What's going on, Isaac?"
He rubbed a hand through his hair. Lizzie not being back at work could be a huge help to him. It would mean he could enlist her help with his current problem. Hers and that of her husband, Wade Sterling. He had connections Isaac didn't.