Page 78 of Rescuing Sophia

“I don’t know.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. “But I have to try. Don’t make me sit this one out.”

Ethan’s expression softens slightly. He pulls out the chair across from me and sits, leaning forward with his elbows on the table.

“I get it, Blake. I do.” Ethan’s hard gaze holds mine, filled with understanding and compassion. “I’ve been where you are now. With Rebel.”

The mention of Rebel’s name sends a jolt through me. Ethan and Rebel are in a good place these days. It’s easy to forget how their relationship started. I’d almost forgotten about that betrayal.

“That was different.” I shake my head, refusing to see the parallels. “Rebel was trying to find her sister’s child. Sophia—she was spying on us. Do you have any idea how much damage she could have done?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.” Ethan’s voice is firm but gentle. “It’s a long swim back, but you must keep your mind open to other possibilities.”

“Nothing will convince me what Sophia did is justifiable.” My fists clench at my sides, knuckles white with tension.

“Blake.” Ethan leans forward, his gaze intense. “I thought the same thing about Rebel, but there was more to the story. There always is.”

I stand abruptly, unable to sit still any longer. “This isn’t the same. The harm Sophia could have caused… It’s far worse than anything Rebel did.”

“Maybe.” Ethan stays seated, his calmness only amplifying the restless energy coursing through me. “Or maybe there’s something we’re missing. Something that forced her hand.”

“Like what?” I whirl around, my voice rising. “What could justify this level of betrayal?”

Ethan’s eyes narrow, his voice low and measured. “Think about it. What if someone had leverage over her? What if they threatened someone she cares about?”

“She doesn’t have anyone.” I sink back into my chair, my mind racing. “She would have told me. We don’t keep secrets.”

“We all keep secrets.” Ethan’s smile is sad. “Sometimes the people we’re closest to are the ones we protect the most fiercely from our worst secrets.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration and doubt warring inside me.

“Even if that’s true… How can I trust anything about her now? How do I know what was real and what was just—part of her cover?”

“You can’t.” Ethan’s blunt honesty is both painful and oddly comforting. “Not yet. That’s why we need to find her, to get answers.”

“And if those answers aren’t what we want to hear?” The question comes out barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s gaze is steady. “Then we deal with it. As a team. But, Blake, you can’t go into this assuming the worst. It’ll cloud your judgment, make you miss things.”

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. “What do you need from me?”

“I need you to be objective.” Ethan’s gaze is unwavering. “To look at the evidence without letting your feelings—good or bad—cloud your judgment. Can you do that?”

The question hangs in the air between us. Can I?

“I can try.” I finally meet Ethan’s gaze. “I won’t pretend it’ll be easy, but I’ll do my best.”

Ethan studies me for a long moment. “Alright. I’ll be watching you. The moment I think you’re compromised—in either direction—you’re out. Understood?”

“Understood.” The word comes out stronger than I feel.

“Good. Now, let’s get to work.” Ethan rises, moving toward the door. He pauses, his hand on the doorknob. “We’ll find Sophia, and we’ll bring her home. You have to be prepared for all possibilities. The Sophia you knew might be gone, or she might be in more danger than we imagine. Either way, we need to find her.”

The words settle over me, heavy with implication. I steel myself for what’s to come as we return to the ready room. Whatever the truth is, whatever we find, I’ll face it. Because the alternative—leaving Sophia out there, alone and possibly in danger—is unthinkable.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Blake

The shrill ringof Ethan’s phone cuts through the tense silence of the ready room. His brow furrows as he checks the caller ID.

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