Page 35 of Rescuing Sophia

“You okay?” His voice is low, meant only for me.

I nod, forcing myself to breathe. To listen.

“The last ping put the yacht somewhere in the Pacific.” Ethan’s voice drops as he leans in, his expression tense. “They’re having trouble getting a solid lock.”

Walt shakes his head, frustration etched on his face. “Bastard’s slippery.”

“How... how does Mitzy’s team track people like that?” My mind races. I need to know more. “It must be complicated.”

The team exchanges glances. Blake gives me an encouraging nod.

“It’s a combination of satellite imaging, financial tracking, and intelligence work,” Hank explains carefully. “Mitzy’s got some tricks we don’t fully understand.”

“Satellite imaging? Financial tracking? What do you mean exactly?” I lean in, my curiosity piqued.

Hank hesitates, then elaborates. “Well, we use advanced satellite tech to scan large areas. As for financials, we track suspicious transactions, offshore accounts, that sort of thing.”

“Like those new micro-drones,” Rigel blurts out. “Did you see the demo? They’re practically invisible.”

“Easy, rookie,” Ethan warns, but there’s pride in his voice.

“Drones?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual. “What kind of drones?”

Rigel’s eyes light up. “They’re tiny, like insects. Perfect for surveillance in tight spots.”

“It sounds incredible.” I file away every scrap of information. My stomach churns with conflicting emotions. “I’d love to learn more about how it all works.”

Blake squeezes my hand. “One step at a time, okay? You’ve been through a lot.”

I don’t push—it’s not worth arousing any suspicion—and lean back, letting the conversation flow around me.

The men shift to lighter topics, but my mind races with what I’ve already learned. As I listen to the team’s easy banter, guilt hits hard. These men trust me and make an effort to include me, yet here I am, gathering information to use against them.

I push the thought away, focusing instead on Blake’s warm presence and the tantalizing smell of my neglected breakfast.

The eggs are cooling, the toast growing stale, but I can’t bring myself to eat. My stomach is too knotted with anxiety and guilt.

I force a smile, joining in the laughter at one of Gabe’s jokes, and allow myself to pretend, just for a moment, that I could genuinely be a part of this.

This could be my life, free from the chains of my past and the threats that loom over my future.

“Well, if it isn’t my uglier half and his merry band of misfits.” A familiar voice cuts through the cafeteria chatter as we finish our breakfast.

ELEVEN

Sophia

Blake’s twin brother,Carter, approaches with a protective arm wrapped around Jenna’s waist. Beside them, a large German Shepherd pads along, alert eyes scanning the room. Max’s slight limp, the aftereffects of a bullet wound, catches my eye.

Guilt twists in my stomach; Max took that bullet because of me. He was protecting Jenna, but it never would have happened if I hadn’t arranged her abduction.

“Speak for yourself, pretty boy.” Blake stands, pulling his brother into a brief, tight hug. “Some of us work for a living.”

The team chuckles at the twins’ banter. Jenna catches my eye, offering a warm smile that sends another pang of guilt through my chest.

“It’s good to see you.” She steps forward, arms open for an embrace. How can she be so kind after everything I did? “How are you settling in?”

“Pretty good. I’m a little in shock, honestly. I never would’ve expected such generosity.”

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