Page 104 of Rescuing Mia

Chapter Thirty-Seven

MIA

As I stepinto the captain’s stateroom, a wave of anticipation washes over me, prickling my skin and sending a shiver down my spine. The room is surprisingly spacious, with a large wooden desk dominating the center. Its surface gleams under the soft glow of the overhead lights.

Mitzy and Skye follow close behind, their presence a comforting reminder that I’m not alone in this.

The air feels heavy, weighted with my secrets and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, but the tightness in my chest persists.

Mitzy moves with a determined stride. Her vibrant hair starkly contrasts with the muted colors of the stateroom. Skye’s presence is more subdued, but her calm demeanor and gentle smile offer a brief respite from the emotions swirling inside me.

The door closes behind us with a soft click.

No turning back now.

The weight of my secrets presses down on me, but I’m in good hands. Mitzy and Skye are here to validate the truth and ensure justice is served.

I step further into the room. The anticipation is palpable, aliving thing that pulses in the air around me. I catch Mitzy’s eye, and she gives a nod of encouragement. It’s time to lay everything on the table, to trust in the strength of these remarkable women.

“May I have the tablet?” Mitzy asks, her voice gentle but firm. She extends her hand, her fingers wiggling in a ‘gimme’ motion that somehow eases the tension in the room.

I nod, my throat suddenly dry.

I hesitate, though. My grip tightens on the device that has become my lifeline, my only proof of Red Phoenix Pharmaceuticals’ atrocities. I’ve been clinging to it with a sense of false security. As if, while it’s in my possession, no harm will come to me.

Foolish, at best.

“It’s okay, Mia.” Skye’s soothing voice breaks through my thoughts. She guides me toward a chair, her touch light but reassuring. “You’re safe here. We’re going to make sure of that.”

I sink into the chair, and the soft cushions envelop me like a comforting embrace. Skye kneels beside me, her warm eyes searching mine. “Is there anything you need? Water, tea, a blanket?”

“No, I’m okay. Thank you.” I shake my head, my voice barely above a whisper.

Skye smiles, her hand resting on my arm momentarily before she moves to join Mitzy.

With a deep breath, I relinquish control of the device.

Mitzy takes it from me, her hands steady and sure.

The transfer feels like a physical weight lifting from my shoulders, but the knot of anxiety in my stomach remains.

“You’re doing the right thing.” Mitzy’s voice is full of conviction. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this, I promise you.”

I nod, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. I’m trusting the right people, but the fear of the unknown still grips me. I wish Rigel was here. I’ve become accustomed to his protective presence.

Mitzy settles into the chair across from me, her eyes already glued to the tablet’s screen. The room falls silent, save for the soft tapping of her fingers against the device and the distant hum of the ship’s engines.

I watch as her brows furrow. Her gaze darts across the screenwith an intensity that sends a chill down my spine. She navigates through the files and folders with practiced ease—not once asking where to find the files on the tablet. Her movements, precise and purposeful, are those of a seasoned professional.

The screen’s glow casts a pale blue light across her features, accentuating the determination etched into every line of her face. Her lips move silently as she reads, mouthing the words as if committing them to memory.

Skye leans over Mitzy’s shoulder, her own eyes widening as she takes in the information displayed before them. The two women exchange a glance, a silent communication passing between them that I can’t quite decipher.

The air in the room grows heavy with their silence. I shift in my seat, my fingers twisting in my lap as I try to quell the tide of anxiety rising within me.

Minutes tick by, each second feeling like an eternity. The anticipation is tangible, a living entity that grows with every passing moment. I hold my breath, waiting for Mitzy to speak and confirm the horrors I’ve uncovered are real.

Finally, Mitzy looks up, her eyes meeting mine. There’s a gravity to her expression, a solemnity that tells me she understands the magnitude of what she’s seeing. She takes a deep breath, her voice steady as she speaks.

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