Page 122 of No Going Back

Tyler looked around at his team, unsure what to say.

“We don’t do things alone, Ty,” Mackie added. We have each other’s backs always. Otherwise, none of us would be here.”

Tyler shook his head. “A few seconds later and I wouldn’t be here.”

“Ah, come on, you know how we like to make an entrance.” Mackie punched him on the shoulder, lightening the mood.

Steve stepped forward. “OK, I think the guy has had enough of spilling his guts to us, so how about we tuck in? My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut.” Steve grinned, looking at Tyler. “Too soon?”

Tyler smiled. A real smile. “A little.”

The guys helped themselves to the sandwiches, while Tyler began to relax. Damn, he was lucky. They were a family, brothers, friends. Telling them had been one of the hardest things he’d done, but there was no pity, no apologies. They listened and accepted, just like that. It was time to start believing what Dex had said. They weren't going anywhere.

“So, you going to tell me how you found me?” Tyler asked between mouthfuls.

“You do remember Kelly, right?” Dex answered him sarcastically. Tyler rolled his eyes. “She traced you to Pakistan, and then Tanya filled in the blanks.”

“You called her?”

“No, she called me. She sensed something was up with you. That’s how we got on your trail. We missed you at the apartment building by minutes. Thankfully, some elder in a bright yellow turban saw what happened.”

“Well, fuck me.”

“Mmmmm. Tanya was a surprising blast from the past. So, I got to ask. How exactly are you planning to explain this one to Sam when you get back?”

Tyler shrugged but didn't answer. He had no idea what he was going to say to Sam.

Dex shook his head. “And I thought I was the crazy one. You did hear what Sam said at the hospital right? About getting caught, Onyx being done?”

“Wasn't planning on coming back, so didn’t really matter.”

“Jeez. You really thought it would be that easy to walk away from us. I’m hurt.” Mackie grinned, his tone teasing.

“So did you find out anything useful?” Dex asked.

“The guy who was holding the machete is Hakim Aziz. Omar Aziz’s brother.”

The rest of the team stilled, waiting for him to continue. Tyler told them what he knew including how he’d met Asma and Reyes Lazir’s son.

“Damn, Ty. You got more intel in a few days than we have been given in months,” Dex said.

“We both know being here is the easiest way to get intel. Too bad Hakim got away.”

“We were a little more concerned about you. But you’re right. It sounds like it’s always been the Aziz brothers, and Lazir was involved because he was married to Omar’s daughter. That’s good information. We have the camera footage and the phones off the men we killed. More than we had before,” Dex said.

“Are we cleared to go look for him?”

“We? So you are staying with the team?” Mackie teased, reaching for another sandwich.

Tyler smiled, not answering. He wanted back in, but he was guessing no matter what Dex had said, Sam would make the ultimate decision.

“No, we’re not cleared to go look. Not yet. We’re heading home.”

The team looked at Dex somewhat surprised.

“You all heard Sam. He agreed we could come and get Tyler. Anything else and Onyx is done. There’s too much at stake getting caught here. I know I was angry at the hospital, and a part of me wants to hunt. But I want Onyx more, and I understand where Sam is coming from. So we go home and trust the process. Trust Sam and our people to put the pieces together and get us the green light we need. After Reborn claimed responsibility for the bombing, they moved up the threat list, so more eyes will be on it now. And the intel we are bringing back is going to help.”

“So long as we’re the ones that get to bring those fuckers down,” Tyler said. The others agreed.

---