Page 40 of Cold Ignition

And that was...

A whole different problem.

****

Keanu pushed the door to the garage open and stepped inside. Cooler air brushed over sweat-damp skin, carrying the familiar scent of oil, steel, and something faintly sweet from the tropical night outside. Normally, it grounded him.

Tonight, it didn’t touch the storm building in his chest.

Because they were here.

Rangi. Alexios.

Not ghosts. Not memories dragged up in the quiet hours between missions.

Real. Standing ten feet away. Breathing the same air.

Kael moved before Keanu had fully straightened, his presence cutting through the space with quiet authority. “Med bay.”

The words were automatic. Controlled. The leader speaking, not the man.

Keanu’s answer came just as fast. “No.”

Kael didn’t even slow. “He needs proper—”

“I’ve got proper,” Keanu cut in, stepping forward, something sharp and immovable locking into place beneath his ribs. “The bus is set up. It’s clean, it’s stocked, and it’s private.”

That last word settled differently. He saw Kael clock it, weigh it. Rangi’s gaze flicked to him, dark and assessing, like he was measuring not just the words but the intent behind them.

Alexios said nothing—but he didn’t argue either.

Kael stopped. Turned. Looked at Keanu properly.

A long beat stretched between them.

Then—

“Five minutes,” Kael said. “If I don’t like what I see, we move him.”

Relief didn’t come. Not yet. Not until this was done.

Keanu nodded once. “Deal.”

Alexios shifted with a quiet exhale as they helped him out, his weight settling between them.

“Easy,” Rangi murmured.

“I’m fine,” Alexios replied, voice dry despite the strain.

“You’re not fine.”

“I’m functional.”

“That’s not the same fucking thing.”

Keanu couldn’t help it—the huff of quiet amusement slipped out before he could catch it.

Alexios’s gaze flicked to him, sharp even through pain. “You see what I deal with?”