Page 69 of No Going Back

Tyler looked him dead in the eye. “Swear to me, whatever happens today, we will go and destroy Reborn, whatever it takes.”

“We’ve never stopped trying to do that. Stay focused. Right now we need to rescue our people. We’ll worry about Reborn after that. You need to keep your cool and keep your head in the game. Don’t give me a reason to stand you down.”

Tyler shook his head. “I’m telling you now. If Sam or Mira don’t make it today, I will hunt them down. However long it takes. I won’t stop until Reborn is destroyed.”

Tyler didn't give Dex a chance to respond. He walked away. It was happening again. Someone he cared about, ripped away from him.

***

SAM WINCED AND SLOWLY tried to open his eyes. The dust stung like crazy, making them water. Cautiously, he tried moving his arms and legs. Christ, it felt like he’d been hit by a truck. Everything hurt, but he could move, so nothing seemed to be broken. He sat up, looking around as his eyes adjusted to the dark. Chunks of rubble covered the floor and half the ceiling looked like it had caved in. As his eyes adjusted further, he could make out electrical wires and cables hanging down. Exposed split pipes had water dripping from them. Mira. Shit! Where was Mira?

“Mira? Mira? Call out.”

Nothing. He stood, placing his feet carefully. Fuck, it was dark. The last thing he wanted to do was disrupt something and have the rest of the ceiling fall on top of him. Of them.

“Mira. If you can hear me, call out.”

Nothing. Sam looked behind him where the door should be to the interview room. The door and most of the wall were gone. A small sliver of light was coming from somewhere, enough to see the younger brother slumped over the table with what looked like a large piece of concrete across his back.

Sam reached into his pocket, relieved to feel his cellphone. No signal, but it gave him light. He moved carefully toward the prisoner and checked his pulse. Dead.

Going back the way he came, he aimed the phone light over the rubble. Mira had been right beside him, she had to be here somewhere. Jesus, there were lumps of concrete everywhere. He kept scanning. A hand stuck out from under the rubble. His heart sank. Fuck, no!

“Mira? Mira?”

When he stepped forward, an arm came into view, then her head. The rest of her was buried beneath rubble. Sam crouched down and placed a hand on her cheek. Her eyes were closed, and her skin was cold.

“Mira? Can you hear me? Mira?” He placed two fingers on her neck and relief swept through him when he felt a pulse. Leaning his face close to hers, he could feel her shallow breath. She was alive, at least for now. He propped up his phone and began moving the rubble off her body.

A groan got his attention.

“Mira, it’s Sam. I’m right here. Don’t try to move.” He looked down into her face as her eyes fluttered open.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“What happened?” she whispered, then winced.

“There was an explosion. A bomb, I think.”

“Are you OK?” Sam shook his head. Typical Mira, more worried about him than herself.

“I’m good, but you’re a bit beat up. You need to stay still while I get this off you and assess your injuries.”

“It hurts, Sam.”

“What hurts?”

“To breathe.”

That wasn’t good.

“It’s OK. You have a lot of concrete on top of you. Try and relax, slow breaths. Don’t try to speak. Let me finish getting this rubble off you and you might feel better.”

Mira gave a slight nod and closed her eyes. Sam got to work. Most of the debris was small enough for him to move easily but a couple of the larger pieces took longer. He might not work in the field anymore, but he was grateful he still kept in shape. All that time spent lifting weights was proving worth it now.

Mira’s eyes fluttered open.

“Can you feel my hand?” He squeezed her fingers, keeping his face neutral and voice calm so he didn’t scare her.

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