Page 64 of No Mistake

She knew he couldn’t promise that, but the sincerity in his eyes, his voice, gave her hope. His team were black ops. They didn’t get to be in a unit like that without being the best. If anyone could bring Chloe home safely, they could.

“You said you were talking with your team, is there anything new?”

He stroked her cheek. “Not yet. But maybe soon. They’re working on a few things.”

Sophie nodded and didn’t ask any further. She’d worked with the military long enough to know there were things they couldn’t share. But she trusted Ryan to tell her when the time was right.

“Why don’t you go back to bed?”

“I don’t think I could sleep right now.”

“Alright, how about we find a movie or something to watch?”

“You said you were expecting a call. I should let you get back to work.”

Ryan tugged her down on the couch. “I am working. My job is to protect you. Boss's orders. That means I stay here with you, keeping you safe. And I can do that while watching TV.”

“Do you think I’m still in danger?”

“While Ricardo is still here, we’re not taking any chances.”

Ryan flicked through the channels and they finally settled on Top Gun. She’d seen it before, but it would do. Wasn’t like she could focus very well on anything. Ryan placed an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned against him. Her senses went on overdrive at the feel of his naked skin, the smell of him. They sat in silence for a while. Ryan answered a few texts on his phone, but didn’t share any information.

As the fighter planes performed stunts in the sky, she asked “Can you fly a plane?” “Nope. Can jump out of one though.”

She shuddered at the thought of him jumping out of planes into the middle of nowhere.

“You said before you joined the Navy after meeting a former SEAL. Had you really never considered it before then?”

“Never. When I came to LA I just wanted to get as far away from the farm, horses, mucking out, and the never-ending early mornings and manual labor. I don’t think I really knew what I wanted to do. Trying acting seemed obvious because here I was in LA and that’s what everyone did, right?”

“I’m kind of surprised you didn’t get offered something, I mean, you are very good looking.”

“Why thank you, Dr. Summers. Maybe if I’d stuck it out, I might have eventually, but it wasn’t for me. I got a couple of modeling gigs, but I soon realized the whole thing was so fake. Everyone uses everyone, and it’s all for greed and gain. Meeting that veteran in the bar was the best thing to happen to me. “

“Navy is a long way from acting.”

“Sure is. I thought I was running away from manual work at the farm but turns out I don’t mind hard work. I think I just needed more of a purpose. Everything happens for a reason, right?”

Sophie moved her eyes from the movie to look at him.

“Do you really believe that?”

“Yes. If I hadn't come to LA I wouldn't have met Al, the former SEAL. I wouldn’t have gone to enlist, wouldn’t have met Dex or Kelly. And I wouldn’t have met you.” He smiled, giving her shoulders a squeeze. Her body was responding to him, despite everything going on in her life. She focused back on the movie.

“But if everything happens for a reason. Why was Chloe kidnapped? How is that a good thing?” Thinking of Chloe cooled her temperature.

“I never said the reasons are always good, or even fair. You have to look at the bigger picture. Of course, I wouldn’t want Chloe to be kidnapped. But the fact that she was meant my team and the FBI are involved, and we have a chance to take down some pretty nasty people and save many more lives.”

Sophie thought about what he said. He had a point. Didn’t make her feel better, though.

“And what if she dies Ryan? Would that be for a reason?”

“Honey, I’m just sharing my opinion. You sure as hell don’t have to agree with me. Chloe is alive and unharmed right now, and we plan to get her home. But sometimes, good people do die for many more lives to be saved. You know that. You work on the base.”

“Military men and women are willing to give their lives to save others. You’re one of them.” She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about that.

“Yes, I am. I don’t plan on getting killed, but it could happen. That doesn’t mean I take unnecessary risks. We train hard, and I have the very best team around me.”

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