Caleb

Chapter Forty Nine

Elaina ~

Lainey's ears were still ringing after the gunshots had finally subsided and she watched all of the men around her relax their posture and let out sighs of relief as they lowered their weapons.

Oh thank God.

She looked out one of the busted windows for her own peace of mind and saw Axel and Hawk walking around with their guns pointed down, weaving through the bodies that were scattered in the grass around the house and checking each one for any signs of life.

"Is it over?" she asked in a shaky voice.

"Yeah baby it's over." Caleb said as he wrapped his arms around her, letting her bury her head in his chest.

Caleb started discussing an evacuation plan with Declan, who looked like he was in a lot of pain as he sat on the floor, leaning against the wall.

Juan's threat of a second wave burned hot in Lainey's mind and it was obvious that she wasn't the only one thinking it. Every man around her was packing up, moving things into bags and readying themselves to leave.

"Tell me how to help" Lainey said, knowing that Caleb needed all the help he could get since so many members of the team had been injured.

Caleb smiled down at her, but his smile wasn't as bright as it usually was.

"Can you pack the med bag while Dec and I call Nate to get us a ride outta here?" Caleb asked as he pulled a satellite phone from one of the bags.

"Yep." Lainey said, with her feet already moving.

She crouched down next to the med bag that was sitting between Grayson and Pierce, letting her eyes focus intently on Pierce's chest, watching it rise and fall as he laid unconscious on the floor.

Lainey was trying to keep the supplies organized and in their rightful places, but her hands decided to stop cooperating with her and started to shake. Flexing and balling her fists, Lainey tried to regain control of her arms and hands, but it was no use. Her entire body was violently shaking and she couldn't get it under control, despite her efforts.

A large hand wrapped around her arm and a deep voice sounded from beside her.

"Just an adrenaline dump sweetheart. Happens to everyone." Grayson said from his seated position on the floor as he rubbed his thumb back and forth across her arm.

"Doesn't look like it's happening to everyone." Lainey countered with her voice shaking along with her entire body.

"You're just not used to it. Look at Austin, you see how he's rolling his shoulders and neck like that?

"Mmmhmm." she said, looking over at Austin, who noticed the attention he was getting and made his way over.

"Everything okay?" Austin asked with a smile.

"Lainey's strugglin' a little, comin' down off of her adrenaline high." Grayson said.

"Shit happens to everyone...I'll sit with ya so we can come down together." Austin said, lowering himself down to sit next to Lainey.

"Deep breaths...in and out." Austin coached as Lainey started to huff air.

"Too fast, too fast." Austin chuckled, understanding that Lainey was trying to speed up the process so she could help Caleb.

Lainey felt Austin take her hand and press it against his own chest, wanting her to feel his chest expand and collapse so she could mimic his breathing pattern.

"With me babe." Austin said, taking a deep overexaggerated breath as he puffed his chest out beneath her hand.

Lainey gladly accepted his help, wanting to get herself under control as quickly as possible so she could continue to help Caleb. She knew he wasn't exactly happy with her at the moment and she'd do just about anything to get in his good graces again. She couldn't keep her eyes off of him as he leaned over the table, examining a map with Declan as the two of them strategized with Nate on the best location for the medevac helicopters to pick them up.