Page 79 of No Going Back

“This is bullshit!” he snapped. “I should be allowed down there. I’m a medic on a fucking special ops team. I’m good with any risk. I need to get down there.”

“That isn’t your call to make and you know it,” Ryan said.

Dex approached, his face tense.

“I got this guys,” Dex said tightly, pushing between Mackie and Ryan, and meeting Tyler’s gaze.

Tyler knew he was in shit. Fuck, he’d lost it. Dex stood, arms folded, in front of him, and looked royally pissed.

“The tunnel collapse in Syria, the bombing in Egypt, the building collapse in Iraq. How many times have we been on a scene like this? You know how a rescue works, Tyler.”

“I know. I just... I... fuck!” He turned and braced himself against the truck, not wanting Dex to see the turmoil he was feeling.

“Just what? Know better than the rescue squad?”

Tyler clenched his fists and punched the hood of the truck. “Dammit, Dex. We are the best of the best, and there’s nothing I can do to help her.”

“I get that. I do.”

Yeah, of all the team, maybe Dex did get it. When Kelly had been captured and was being tortured, Dex had felt helpless, not being there, not being able to protect her. But he had never lost his shit.

“Listen to me, Tyler. We all care about Mira and Sam. We all want them out of there as quickly as possible. While I understand you’re upset, losing your temper like this cannot happen. Ever. You need to calm the fuck down. You’re not helping.”

“It’s been a rough couple of days. It’s Mira.”

“Not an excuse. I told you before, you need to keep your head in the game. If you can’t keep your shit together, then I’m sending you home. We have got enough to deal with right now without me having to fucking babysit you.”

“I’m not asking you to babysit me!” Tyler turned to face him. “Mira’s down there dying and there’s nothing I can do about it, so yeah, I’m pissed. I’m angry. We can’t all be a goddamn robot like you.” Tyler fumed. “Mira’s innocent in all this. She has nothing to do with Reborn. It shouldn’t be her down there.”

As soon as the words were out, he regretted them, but it was too late. The old Tyler was rearing his head. Angry, defensive, lashing out and spreading blame.

Dex stepped into Tyler’s personal space, radiating menace.

“Go home and get your fucking head together!” Tyler backed against the truck. “If you ever speak to me like that again, you and I are going to have a real problem.”

Shit. Dex’s voice might be calm, but he wasn’t messing around. He’d pushed his team leader's patience too far. Nice work, Tyler. Making people pissed at you is your fucking specialty.

“I’m sorry.” Tyler waited after he spoke, feeling just a bit smaller as he gauged Dex’s reaction. His face didn’t change. Fuck, he couldn’t leave. No way he could go home. “I wasn’t insinuating anything. I’m just angry. And I’ll apologize to Max.”

After a long silence, Dex spoke.

“Mira’s awake.”

Tyler swallowed. “You’re letting me stay?”

“For Mira’s sake, I’m letting you stay as she needs to know you’re here. That’s it. You don’t move from the laptop. Got it?”

“Got it.” Tyler dragged his hands through his hair, forcing himself to breathe deeply and get his temper in check.

“Come on.” Dex started walking away, Tyler followed. “And I don’t know whose truck that is, but you owe them money for the dent you made.”

Tyler glanced back. Hell, he had hit it hard.

Liam moved out the way as they approached, letting Tyler get close to the screen. Sam angled the phone so they could see each other.

“I’ve propped the phone up. I’m going to go get some more water. You OK, Mira?”

“Yes, thanks, Sam.” Mira’s voice was raspy, making Tyler’s stomach turn over.

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