Page 26 of Duty Devoted
“Everyone listen up,” I said, automatically taking command of the room. “The situation has escalated beyond what we initially anticipated. We’re implementing immediate evacuation procedures for all medical personnel.”
Dr. Williams looked up sharply. “Immediate? But the patients?—”
“Will be safer without you here,” I interrupted. “The Silva cartel has demonstrated they’re willing to target medical personnel. Your presence is now actively endangering the people you’re trying to help.”
Lauren’s head came up at that, and I saw awareness returning to her eyes. “Carlos died because of me.”
“Carlos died because Diego Silva is a psychopath who uses murder as a communication tool,” I corrected firmly. “You are not responsible for the actions of violent criminals.”
“But if I hadn’t made excuses?—”
“He would have found another reason,” Sophia said quietly. “Violent men like that always do.”
The words hit closer to home than I expected.Violent men. Was that how Lauren saw me and my team? We carried weapons, spoke in tactical terms, planned for killing if necessary. In her world of healing and saving lives, we probably looked like part of the problem rather than the solution.
The thought settled in my chest like shrapnel—sharp, unwanted, impossible to ignore. Could someone like Lauren ever really see past what I was…what I’d done? Or would the blood always speak louder than anything else?
There were times I’d tried saving people like they did. Times when?—
Carter’s neck was slick with blood, his pulse stuttering under my hands. Arterial spray painted my uniform in brutal red.
“Stay with me, goddammit! You hear me? Stay with me!”
Gunfire cracked overhead, baking the air with sound and heat.
“Keep pressure on it!” the corpsman barked, sliding in beside me, hands already moving.
But Carter’s eyes were already going distant. His lungs rattled with every failing breath.
I dragged myself out of the memory and found everyone staring at me. Now wasn’t the time to deal with trauma. Now was the time to get these people out of here safely.
I moved to the center of the group, establishing eye contact with each doctor. “Here’s what’s going to happen. In approximately three hours, a helicopter will arrive at a clearing thirty minutes’ walk from here. We’ll convoy there as a unit in the van and extract together. No deviations, no delays, no looking back.”
“Prepare emergency supply kits,” I continued. “Whatever your current patients need that you can give them. Also, antibiotics, pain medication, basic wound care supplies. Leave them with instructions for local distribution. But understand—staying here will not help your patients. It will only get you killed and potentially escalate violence against the people you’re trying to protect.”
The harsh assessment hung in the air, but it was necessary. These doctors needed to understand the reality of their situation.
“How dangerous is the extraction?” Dr. Yang asked, her practical nature cutting through emotion to focus on facts.
“Unknown at this time,” I answered honestly. “The Silva cartel has resources and motivation. We’ll assume tracked movement and potential hostile contact. But extraction remains our safest option.”
“And if something goes wrong?” Lauren asked, her voice stronger than it had been since the village.
“Then we adapt and overcome,” I said, meeting her eyes directly. “But nothing’s going wrong. We’re good at what we do.”
Jace appeared at my shoulder. “Communication with helicopter confirmed. Pilot reports weather conditions continually deteriorating but still within operational parameters. Advises immediate departure upon arrival.”
I nodded, then addressed the medical team again. “You have two hours to prepare, so we can be staged and ready to depart earlier if needed. Personal essentials only for the helicopter—one bag each. Dr. Yang, I need you to coordinate medical supply distribution for the patients you’re leaving behind. But don’t make announcements. Make them think it’s Christmas.”
“I can handle that,” she said, already moving toward the pharmacy area.
“Dr. Martinez, Dr. Williams—work with Dr. Yang to identify critical patients who might need immediate attention after you leave. Prepare care instructions and medication protocols.”
They nodded, purposeful activity helping to counter the shock and anxiety.
“Lauren,” I said, drawing her aside as the others dispersed. “How are you holding up?”
She met my eyes, and I saw the steel I’d recognized earlier. “I’ll be fine. But Logan, leaving feels like abandoning them.”
