Page 95 of No Mistake

“How do you do this?” she asked.

“Do what?”

“This life. The danger. Facing death.”

“I’m trained for it. It doesn’t mean I don’t get scared, but we learn to use the fear, turn it into a driving force to survive.”

Sophie studied him. If he was scared, he wasn’t showing it.

“Are you scared now?”

“Not yet. I’m angry that we’re here. But I know my team will be working on a plan to get us out of here. Trust me when I say I’ve been in worse situations and survived. My focus is to get you out of here unharmed.”

“Don’t you mean get both of us out of here?”

“Ideally, yes. But your safety comes first. Always.”

Sophie shook head as her eyes welled up. “I don’t want you sacrificing yourself or something for me.”

“Babe, don’t cry. This is who I am. The day I signed up, I basically signed my life away. I don’t see it as a sacrifice. I see it as protecting the innocent. I chose this life. You did not. You’ve worked on the base long enough to know the risks, the danger. If I didn’t accept that I might die in this job, then I couldn’t do it.”

She did understand. It’s why she wanted to work at Westside. The men and women who served continually risked their lives, and if she could do anything to help save them, help them heal and recover, she would. She respected anyone who served in the military, but now, sitting here opposite the man she loved... Yes, loved. It all seemed very real and it was suffocating her.

“Hey. I don’t plan on dying today, OK?” Ryan gave her a small smile. “Especially not now that I have you in my life.”

Before she could reply, the door opened to reveal Perez and Tracer. Perez moved behind Sophie, placing a hand on her hair.

“Such a shame we don’t have more time to get better acquainted.” He kissed the top of her head and Sophie squirmed.

“Get your fucking hands off of her,” Ryan snarled and Perez chuckled.

“Cut it out, Perez. We hand them over unharmed. That’s the deal,” Tracer said.

“So you keep saying, but I still have not been able to talk to Luis.”

“You were able text?”

“Yes.”

“So what’s the problem? He hasn’t called me, either.”

Sophie kept her eyes on Ryan. She knew he could break out of his loosened restraints at any time. But these men were armed. Even she understood it would be a dumb move. Ryan moved his gaze to her and the pain she saw in his face made her flinch. He blamed himself for what was happening. If she fell apart now, it was only going to make things worse. Perez’s phone rang and he left the cabin. Sophie let out a breath and her shoulders sagged as she closed her eyes forcing her breath back under control. She would not make this worse for Ryan. She would keep it together.

“You’re being so fucking brave. I’m so damn proud of you.”

She gave him a little smile. “Only because you’re here.”

When he smiled back, she felt the thrill run down her spine. Hell, even tied up as a hostage, he could make her toes curl.

“Sorry to interrupt you love birds, but Dawson texted. Thirty minutes to go time,” Tracer said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“What’s the plan?” Ryan asked.

“Wish I knew. It seems Dawson doesn’t trust me enough to tell me. His instructions were for us to keep Sophie alive and get her to the stern. They will secure the ship. So this is what we’ll do.”

Sophie listened as Tracer went over the details. It was what she didn’t hear that worried her the most. How were they planning to get themselves off this ship alive?

TRACER HAD LEFT THEM for a few minutes. If Dex’s timing was on point, the team should be breaching the ship about now. Tracer had lowered the Jacob's ladders, making it easier for them to board. Ryan knew his team leader well enough to know they would swim to the ship and clear the hostiles as quietly as possible, no gunshots until absolutely necessary. It would keep their presence on board unknown for the longest possible time.

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