Page 108 of No Going Back

“They’re just worried about you. As we all are.” Kelly pulled up a chair and sat down.

“I know. But it’s hard. I can’t talk to them about... you know.” Mira waved her hand.

“Tyler?”

“Among other things. Yes. I assume they had to spin up? That’s why he wasn’t at the hospital?”

Kelly reached for her hand and Mira’s heart sank. “Oh my God... Has something happened... is he...”

“As far as we know, he’s OK. But Raven are looking for him.”

“I don’t understand. What do you mean, looking for him?”

Kelly’s grip tightened on her hand.

“Mira, Tyler went to Pakistan, we believe to track down Aziz and Reborn.”

“What?!” she shrieked. “Alone?”

“Yes. He told the team he needed some air, left the hospital and never came back. We tracked him to Pakistan. Raven are there now. They will find him and bring him home.”

Mira looked at Kelly in disbelief. “Why? Why would he do that? By himself? He said he would be there when I woke up. He promised.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I know. I wish I had answers for you, but I don’t. He was really upset at what happened. Angry. I think perhaps his need to make sure this doesn't happen again overtook everything else.”

Mira shook her head. “Then why didn’t the whole team go? Why did they let him go alone? He can’t fight Reborn alone.”

“He told no one, Mira. The team never suspected he would do something like this. None of us know what’s going on in his head. As soon as we knew where he had gone, the team spun up. They’ll find him.”

Mira laid her head back on the pillow. He’d chosen to go and hunt down the men responsible. By himself. It made no sense. He was meant to have been there when she woke up, not risking his life.

“Mira. You said yourself he’s had a lot going on lately. He probably wasn’t thinking straight. He cares about you. He’ll be back.” Kelly handed her a tissue and she dabbed at her eyes.

“So Reborn were responsible for the bomb?”

“Yes. There was a video claiming responsibility.”

“Jesus. Why that building?”

“We don’t know for sure, but we suspect they knew we were inside, maybe even Sam. We think they might know more about us than we ever thought.”

“Oh my God. Innocent people died because they have some fucking revenge obsession against the team. Because they captured Lazir.”

“And rescued me,” Kelly said quietly. Mira squeezed Kelly’s hand.

“Don’t. None of us think that way. I hate what they’re doing, but even I know this is not yours or Raven’s fault. If they weren't targeting us, they’d be targeting someone else.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s still tough, knowing that op to rescue me started all this.”

“Onyx still would have captured Lazir. This would still be happening. And we are working on taking them down once and for all. I’m just pissed Tyler thinks he could go do it all by himself. What is it with these guys thinking they are invincible!”

Kelly smiled and let out a small laugh. “Welcome to the world of being in love with a special operator.”

“When they bring him home, I am going to seriously kick his ass.”

“I think you’ll need to get in line.”

“They will get him, won’t they?” Mira asked more seriously. The thought of never seeing him again caused a searing pain in her chest.