Page 108 of No Mistake

Dex looked up. “Yeah, Ryan, it was. The doctors didn’t expect you to make it through surgery, and even when you did, they were concerned about brain damage.”

Ryan swallowed. Guess it was way more serious than he thought.

“Dex? How’s Sophie?”

Dex put his phone away. “She’s doing OK. Worried about you. She was in here for a while earlier, but she left to check on Chloe. She should be released today or tomorrow.”

So he had heard her voice. Some of what she said was coming back to him.

“This is tough for her, Ryan, even as a doctor. She was pretty upset seeing you like this.”

Ryan closed his eyes. He needed to see her. Needed to know things were still good between them. This fucking op, the close call. Shit, he was realizing just how precious life was and how much time he’d wasted with meaningless hook ups. He was so fucking done with that. Jesus, he’d coded. No more waiting, he wanted the real deal and that was Sophie.

“I’m sure she’ll be along to see you any minute.”

Ryan opened his eyes. “Tracer?”

“Gave us all the slip. He got on the lifeboat with Sophie. But when Coast Guard brought everyone in, he was gone.”

“He saved our lives,” Ryan said.

“I know. Sam knows, too. He has no intention of looking for him.” Dex rubbed the back of his neck.

“Dex? What is it? There’s something you’re not telling me.”

Dex walked to the end of the bed, leaning on the rail.

“Whatever you want to say, say it.”

Dex looked up at him and the regret he saw there, shook Ryan to the core.

“Perez got away. I’m sorry.”

“I broke that fucker's nose. What happened?”

“I made the call to ensure we got you and the hostages out. During that time, he must have got off the ship.”

“Shit. If he jumped over, he wouldn’t have got far.”

“Coast Guard are searching, but nothing yet. I fucking hate being team leader sometimes.”

“Listen, I could never make some of the calls you have to make. But can you quit feeling sorry for yourself because I’m the one that deserves pity right now.” Ryan grinned trying to lighten the mood.

Dex sighed. “So we’re good?”

“Yeah, man, we’re good. Always. After everything we’ve been through the past thirteen years, whatever happens, nothing’s ever going to change that. We’re way more than teammates and you know it.”

Dex appeared to relax a little. “Yeah, we are.”

The door opened and Sam walked in.

“Ryan. Welcome back.”

“Thanks.”

“Looks painful.”

“It is.”

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