Page 27 of Rescuing Mia

Family.

The word sends a pang through my heart. It’s been so long since I’ve had anything close to that. And now, with the weight of the secrets I carry, the idea of getting close to anyone feels dangerous.

“I guess I’d better get ready then,” I say, forcing a smile. “Wouldn’t want to miss dinner.”

“If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you.” My voice barely rises above a whisper.

Thirty-four passengers. Seventeen crew. That’s fifty-one people who could potentially ask questions I can’t answer.

No. Wait.

Fifty people.

I’m trapped. On a ship in the middle of the ocean, with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. I thought this would be a refuge. Now, it feels like the worst decision ever.

I take a deep breath to push down my fear.

Stay calm, Mia. Just breathe.

My nerves aren’t entirely gone, and it doesn’t take long before the cabin’s silence presses in on me. Or maybe that’s the gentle rocking of the ship?

I force myself out of the cabin. I need fresh air and a solid sight on the horizon. Maybe some toast and something calming for my stomach.

Chapter Fourteen

RIGEL

As I stepaboard theSerenity, the weight of my gear seems to lighten, replaced by an eager anticipation that buoys my spirits. The deck beneath my feet sways gently, a throwback to my SEAL days and a subtle reminder of the journey ahead.

A sloppy-assed grin fills my face as I locate my cabin, reminiscing about the last time I was on a ship this size. During a mission, a covert operation required a stealthy insertion from the water. We were a team of frogmen, eight men silently gliding through the dark depths on rebreathers, our minds focused on the task at hand.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as we approached the beach. The moonless night cloaked our movements. Blake, my best friend and teammate at the time, was by my side, his presence a reassuring constant in the unpredictable world of special operations.

The mission was a hostage rescue, and it nearly went sideways when shots rang out. Blake and I instinctively covered each other, our training kicking in as we neutralized the threats and secured the hostages. It was a close call, one that reminded me of the high stakes we faced every time we went out on a mission.

But this time—today—things are different.

For the first time in a decade, my time is my own.

There’s no gear prep.

No exhausting swim.

No firefights.

And no rescues.

All I have to do is stow my gear and head back to the deck, where attentive staff are ready to serve me drinks and cater to my every whim.

It’s a strange feeling, this newfound freedom, but it makes my skin itch.

Like I’m missing something important.

I’m so used to the rigid structure and discipline of military life that the idea of relaxing and enjoying myself seems almost foreign.

But don’t I deserve a bit of R&R?

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