Page 2 of Rescuing Sophia

“Any new leads on the other Sentinels?” Ethan leans forward, his eyes sharp.

“That’s where we need to step up our game.” CJ’s expression hardens. “We need to put faces to the other eight Sentinels, uncover their specialties, and figure out how they’re all connected. Until further notice, Charlie team’s primary mission is to get Greaves. Find out who these other eight are. How they’re connected?—”

“They’re connected through Malfor,” I interject, rolling my eyes. “We all know he’s the kingpin.”

“Shut your trap and let CJ finish.” Ethan’s glare pins me down, his tone delivering a verbal beatdown.

“Just saying, it’s obvious how they’re connected.” I smirk, leaning back slightly.

This is big. Bigger than anything we’ve tackled before. Energy crackles in the air, radiating off my teammates until the entire room buzzes.

“Mitzy and her team will provide tech support. The other Guardian teams—Alpha, Bravo, Delta—will assist as needed, but this is your baby.” Sam addresses that last comment to Ethan.

“There’s one more thing.” Forest’s deep, rumbly voice causes us all to snap to attention. “An asset we have…”

My breath catches. No way. They’re not…

“Sophia Reeves provided us with invaluable information after the yacht rescue,” Forest continues, his gaze sweeping over us. “We’ve decided to grant her protection at Guardian HQ.”

My gut twists at the news. They’re going to use her.

I lean back, trying to mask my reaction. Every muscle in my body tenses, my mind racing through scenarios, each ending with Sophia and me in a situation I shouldn’t be imagining.

Sophia. The woman who’s been haunting my dreams and fueling heated fantasies since I first laid eyes on her is going to be a permanent resident of Guardian HQ?

My pulse quickens, heat creeping up my neck. I can’t stop theflood of images—her soft skin, the way she looked at me, the unspoken connection between us.

Every night since the rescue, she’s been in my thoughts, my dreams. My fantasies.

Now, she’ll behere, within reach, but off limits. The intensity of my attraction doesn’t make sense. For her safety and mine, I need to do whatever it takes to never be alone with her. The thought of having her close, yet untouchable, is maddening. My mind conjures images of her—her body pressed against mine, her breath warm on my skin.

I grit my teeth, trying to banish the fantasies springing to life in the middle of the briefing. My body betrays me, arousal stirring and making it hard to concentrate. My fingers dig into the armrest as I struggle to maintain composure.

The temptation to be near her, to let my guard down… It’s unbearable. I can’t let this mess with my head or be a distraction. I have to distance myself, no matter how hard it gets.

She’s been through hell, a victim of sexual slavery, and doesn’t need some horn dog Guardian drooling over her.

Get it together. Focus. She deserves better.

Trying to regain composure, I focus back on the meeting, but my mind is already spiraling, fueled by fantasies I have no business pursuing.

I can’t get away from those haunted eyes and her siren’s call.

Kidnapped, captured, sold like livestock, she’s been through hell and back, endured unimaginable trauma at the hands of animals, and all I can think about is fucking her.

I’ve done it in my sleep every night since I first saw her, and I’m not proud of it. I’m deeply ashamed. Deeply aroused.

Deeply fucked ten ways ‘til Sunday.

“Blake,” CJ’s voice slices through my spiraling thoughts. “You’ll be assigned as Sophia’s primary point of contact.”

I do a double take. “What?”

“She latched onto you after the rescue,” Forest explains. “No need to start with someone new when there’s already a connection. You’re the one she trusts.”

My mind races back to the rescue mission on the Ninth Sentinel’s yacht. We were there for Jenna, but we found Sophia, too. She clung to me like I was her lifeline.

“Your job is to keep her safe, help her get settled, and make her feel comfortable enough to share any more information she might have about Sentinel.”

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