Page 112 of No Going Back

The doorbell rang and Kelly got up to answer it. She returned seconds later.

“You have a visitor.”

Mira smiled genuinely when Sam walked onto the deck holding a bunch of flowers. Putting down her coffee she got up.

“Don’t get up, you’re meant to be—” Sam’s words stopped as she hugged him tight. He hugged her back.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get to see you sooner,” Sam said as she finally stepped back. It was probably inappropriate to hug your boss like that, but she didn’t give a damn. She’d known Sam seven years and the man had saved her life.

“Anyone would think you were a little shorthanded.” She smiled and took the flowers from him. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”

“Here, let me put them in water and give you guys some time to chat.” Kelly took the flowers and disappeared inside.

Mira sat down and Sam sat opposite looking smart as always in slacks and tailored shirt. He could easily get away with wearing jeans and t-shirts like the rest of the guys, but he never did. She’d asked him about it once, and he said it was because with everyone wanting video calls now, he never knew when he’d be on a call with the president. She’d thought he’d been joking, but had soon realized he wasn’t.

“How are you, Sam? Did you really get away completely unscathed?”

“A few cuts and bruises, but that's it. Although, I think I’m still tasting dust.”

“Yeah, I hear you. Feels like its stuck in your throat, right?”

“Sure does. More importantly, how are you feeling?”

“Good. Pain is better every day. I’m moving around now. Almost as good as new.” She tried to smile, but it didn't quite happen.

“I know physically you will be fine. That’s not what I was asking.” Sam had spoken tenderly and Mira had to bite her lip to stop the tears that threatened.

Kelly appeared with a coffee for Sam and disappeared again just as quickly.

“Mira? That was a hell of a thing to have gone through.”

“For you, too.”

“I’m a former Navy SEAL. While it’s been a while, I’ve been in similar situations and I’m trained to handle it. You are an analyst, not a field agent. I’m guessing that was a first for you.”

She nodded, then let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re right, it was terrifying. But you know what’s more terrifying is that Tyler is in Pakistan, by himself, trying to take on the assholes behind this. Right now, I can’t even process what happened to me because I'm scared shitless about Tyler.” She felt the tears roll down her cheeks and swiped at them, embarrassed.

Sam sipped his coffee. She took the moment gratefully and grabbed a tissue. Kelly had boxes of tissues everywhere, almost as if anticipating Mira could need them at any given moment.

“Why, Sam? Why would he do this? I don’t understand.”

“He wants payback for what happened, like we all do.”

“But the rest of the team didn’t just up and go.” Her voice rose as she failed to keep the frustration out of her voice.

“They wanted to, but they were under orders not to. Tyler chose to ignore those orders.”

She knew that already; she was frightened to ask what the consequences of that were going to be.

“You let Raven go and look for him.”

“I did.”

“I’m guessing that’s kind of on the down low.”

Sam smiled. “It’s a good thing we know a lot of people, and some owe us favors.”

“You could have just left him to it. He disobeyed your number one rule.”

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