Page 100 of Rescuing Mia
“Took her with me. She’s doing great, actually. Retired and enjoying a quieter life now. Couldn’t leave her behind.”
“That’s a surprise.” Blake chuckles.
“Why do you say that?”
“Stormy was never very loyal.” Blake turns to the others. “She’d sleep with any of the men on the team as long as the bed was warm. Rigel was her favorite, but she spread out the love.”
“Stormy sounds…interesting.” The room erupts in laughter, and Mia’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
“Yeah, she is something else.” I struggle to keep a straight face. “Always found a way to get what she wanted.”
“Remember that time she stole your dinner?” Blake leans back, a twinkle in his eye.
I nod, laughing. “Yeah, she had no shame. Walked right up, took the steak off my plate, and trotted off like she owned the place.”
Mia’s eyes widen further in shock.
Blake smirks, shaking his head. “And let’s not forget how she’d always find the warmest bed. Didn’t matter if it was Rigel’s or anyone else’s. As long as it was warm, she was happy.”
“I can’t believe you all shared her like that.” The laughter grows, and Mia’s cheeks flush as she processes the information. She seems torn between amusement and bewilderment, then her eyes widen. “Stormy’s a dog?”
“What did you think she was?”
“I thought you were talking about a girl.” Her cheeks redden.
“You thought…” I laugh, realizing what we’ve been saying and how the meaning changes if Stormy was a chick. “Stormy is most definitely not a woman. She’s my trusty four-legged friend. I was her trainer. She’s been with me through a lot of scary shit. She’s my loyal partner, but she has a knack for making everyone feel loved.”
“Absolutely.” Blake nods vigorously. “She’d even cuddle with two or three of us at once if she could manage it.”
“To her credit, she saved our asses more times than I can count.She was always there when we needed her.” I finally crack, a broad grin spreading across my face.
“You guys are terrible,” Mitzy chimes in, looking between Mia and me. “I can’t believe you all shared her like that.”
“Well, to be fair,” Blake says, still chuckling, “Stormy loved Rigel the most.”
Mitzy looks at Mia. “On that note, I’d say let’s look at that tablet here, but there’swaaaaytoo much testosterone clotting the air. How about you, me, and Skye head to the captain’s stateroom, and you show me what you found?”
“Okay.” Once again, Mia looks at me, a strange expression on her face.
I take her hand in mine and press my lips against her knuckles in a feathery kiss.
“I’ll be right here. Not going anywhere.”
“Let’s go. Got lots of work to do.” Mitzy suddenly shuts the case to Mia’s tablet and springs to her feet. Mitzy looks at me and winks. “Don’t worry, Lover Boy, we’ll have her back in shipshape in no time.”
Mitzy throws a playful glance over her shoulder. Her bright, psychedelic hair catches the light, and for a moment, I see what looks to be glitter in her hair.
Skye provides further reassurance, although it’s not necessary. “We’ll take good care of her. You have my word.” Her tone is firm, a pledge from one protector to another.
Skye gently leads Mia away, with Mitzy following close behind. The three women chat quietly, their voices low and soothing, as they disappear down the hall.
Chapter Thirty-Six
RIGEL
With Mia outof the picture, the men gather around me. The atmosphere in the room shifts. The laughter and light-hearted banter fade into the background, replaced by something far more serious.
“Since you’re going to be with us for the foreseeable future, what are your plans?” Ethan’s hard stare demands an answer. “Our offer is on the table.”