Page 96 of No Mistake

Ryan shifted in his seat, adjusting his hands, so he could free himself quickly. Sophie looked at him with frightened eyes.

“Is it time?”

“Any minute, yes.” He looked at her tenderly. He would give anything to not have her go through this. “I need you to listen to me.”

She nodded.

“Whatever you see or hear, you need to do what I tell you. OK?”

“But you’ll be with me, right?”

The fear on her face was killing him, but he wouldn’t lie to her.

“For as long as I can, yes. But once I get you to safety, I need to help my team secure this ship. There are other innocent people on board.”

Sophie nodded again. “Of course,” she whispered.

Ryan was tempted to ditch his restraints and go to her, but until Tracer gave him the nod, he couldn’t risk it. One of the guards by the door might just shoot him right in front of Sophie.

“You will be taken off this ship to shore where you’ll be safe. I will come and find you as soon as I can.”

“Just come home safe. OK?” she said quietly.

“Stay strong, baby. You got this.” He winked just as the door opened and Tracer, Perez, Zaid Ali, and two Reborn soldiers burst through, guns raised.

“Is it your team that is on the ship?” Perez shouted, pressing his gun to Ryan’s head.

“Take it easy, Perez. They are our leverage,” Tracer said.

“She can be our leverage. I want to know how many, and how they found us. If I must torture it out of him, I will.” As if to prove a point, he landed a punch to Ryan’s stomach. Ryan doubled over, catching his breath. Sophie cried out.

“We don’t have time for this. They will find us here quickly,” Tracer said.

“Protecting them again? Why am I not surprised.” Perez swung his gun on Tracer. “Maybe you were the one that told them where to find us.”

Ryan watched the exchange, still not moving. Ali, had stepped to the side, talking on his phone, but his two men still had their guns pointed at him and Sophie. Disabling Perez would be no problem, and Tracer could take Ali, but the others would shoot and Sophie would be right in the crossfire.

“Jesus, Perez, you really want to do this now? You think if I had told them, I would still be here?”

“Someone leaked information to them. We need to know who. If it’s not you, prove it. Make him talk.”

Tracer cursed. Ryan gave the slightest nod of his head, knowing Tracer caught it. He would take a beating, if it meant their attention stayed off Sophie. It was a big ship, it would take a while for his team to clear it. Hopefully not too long.

Tracer lowered his gun and stepped in front of him. The first punch hit his face. Sophie screamed.

“Stop it. For God’s sake!”

Perez, slapped her across the face and she gasped. “Shut up, bitch.”

“Leave her alone,” Ryan snarled. “Be a fucking man and take it out on me.”

“Perez is right. Who is your inside man?" Tracer asked.

Ryan looked at him, thankful he was pausing between hits.

Tracer landed another blow, this time to his gut. Ryan clenched his teeth. Tracer was going easy on him, but it still fucking hurt.

“How did they know? You or her got some kind of tracking device on you?” Perez demanded. “Perhaps I should strip her and find out.” Perez pulled out a knife, holding it against Sophie’s top.

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