Page 58 of No Mistake

“This wasn't a special ops team that came after her. Shooting on a residential street, their shots were off. A professional team would have taken us before I even got in the car.”

“Tracer said it would be local muscle, and he was pissed. This wasn’t his crew. Sounds like Perez went rogue. I tried to call Tracer, but he’s got it switched off or blocked.”

“So what now? We just trust him to hand deliver Chloe back?” Ryan wasn’t liking that option.

“We may not have a choice,” Sam said.

Ryan tensed. “We don’t know any details of the meet? Or where Chloe might be being held?” Ryan didn’t hide his frustration.

“Not yet. We’re working on it,” Dex said.

“So what’s our play here?”

Ryan heard another voice in the background before Dex came back on the line. “Sam’s gone. Sit tight and I’ll get back to you.”

“Copy that.”

“And Ryan?”

“Yeah?”

“From what I understand, you were meant to be grabbing food for the team. Didn’t know Sophie sold pizza as a second job.” Normally, Ryan would have laughed, but Dex’s tone held no amusement.

“I just wanted to check on her. I was about to come back when you called and, as it turns out, it was lucky I was there.”

“Agreed. But this rogue behavior is not you, Ryan. And it’s not cool.” Dex ended the call and Ryan let out a sigh. Shit. It sucked being called out, but this time he wasn’t sorry for his actions.

He turned as Sophie walked toward him in a white robe. He kept a clean spare robe in the bathroom for when someone stayed. Not that he had women stay over often, and he no longer wanted anyone staying over except Sophie. She looked good in the robe. In his house.

“Feel better?” he asked.

“A little. Did Dex have news?”

Ryan stepped toward her, taking her hand, guiding her to the sofa to sit down.

“Chloe is alive and unharmed.”

“Oh my God! She’s safe? They have her?”

Ryan shook his head. “Not yet. And I can’t tell you how we know, but we do believe the information.”

“I don’t understand. Someone has seen her?”

“Someone we know has, and this same person gave Dex the tip to get you away from your house.”

Sophie stared at him. He could see she was struggling to believe him.

“This person was a SEAL. If he meant to harm you or Chloe, he wouldn’t have spoken to us. As of right now, we believe that Chloe is alive and unharmed.” He stared into those beautiful eyes, trying his best to reassure her.

“That’s good, Ryan. But for how long?”

Ryan frowned. That was a question he couldn’t answer.

SOPHIE KNEW HE COULDN’T answer her. She didn’t expect him to. How could he know? She shivered, feeling cold, despite the bath. The shock would take some time to wear off. Someone had shot at them. Chased them. If Ryan hadn’t come to see her... She closed her eyes trying not to think about it.

“Hey.” Ryan’s voice was soft, his hands warm and strong as he rubbed her arms up and down. Sophie placed her hands on his chest.

“If you weren’t there, Ryan...” She bit her lip, forcing back tears.

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