“We’ve gotta get the jumpsuit off you,” Caroline said.
“Breathe,” Addison said as she and Caroline helped Slash out of her jumpsuit so they could examine her wounds.
“If it wasn’t for Sydney, I’d be dead,” Slash said.
“We’d all be dead,” Caroline murmured.
Knowing they might have been killed triggered Sydney’s PTSD. She started shaking. Scenes from decades ago began flashing in her mind like they were happening now.
Grey stepped away to make a call. While Tucker pressed a towel against the wound on Slash’s shoulder, Addison had pulled up Slash’s pant leg so she could apply a compress to her shin.
Feeling like she couldn’t breathe, Sydney stepped back, dropped to one knee, and tried to calm her racing heart.
I got this. You were able to help her. Save everyone. You did good. Real good.
Despite the positive self-talk, beads of perspiration formed on her brow and she could not stop shaking.
“Sydney.” A comforting voice in her ear, a strong hand on her shoulder. Tank had knelt next to her, concern filling his eyes. “What’s going on?”
Sydney breathed deep. The effect he had on her was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. It could have been his massive size, might have been the genuine concern in his eyes, the gentle caresses on her back.
He breathed slow and deep, she mimicked him. After several calming breaths, she offered a smile. “It was nothing?—”
He shook his head. “No, this isnotnothing. You don’t have to talk, but I’m here if you want to.”
Gratitude filled her. “Thank you.”
Together, they rose. His comforting smile sent her into hisarms. He held her in his strong embrace, his strength pouring into her.
“I gotta tell you,” Tank said, “You’re one hella good shot. I don’t think you missed, once.”
“I was trained to kill, or be killed.” Sydney clung to him while her racing heart slowed back down.
Sin, Dakota, Stryker, Prescott, Hawk, and Rebel jogged back over.
“We cleared Tucker Town,” Sin said. “He was alone.”
“Unless there’s someone hiding in the range,” Tucker said.
“We’ll split up,” Tank said. “Some will stay behind, clear the building, especially the range. We’ve gotta get Slash in for surgery.”
“Oh, how fun,” Slash deadpanned.
Tank unearthed his phone, strode over to the terrorist and snapped several pics.
“I’ve gotta call the police,” Tucker said.
“No,” Dakota replied. “We got this.”
“If the press—” Tucker began.
“The press shouldn’t find out,” Sin said. “If they do, call me. I’ll kill any storiesbeforethey’re written.”
“We need to remove his body,” Grey said.
“I’ve got a bag in my car,” Sin said. “A body bag.”
Sydney laughed. All eyes on her. “I have re-usable grocery bags in mine.” After a pause, she said, “Sorry, but this triggered my PTSD, so I’m using humor to help calm me down.”
