Page 103 of Rescuing Mia
“Yeah, kind of embarrassing that he kicked our asses like that.” Walt’s comment draws a surprised chuckle from me.
The room lightens with laughter, the sound marking a definitive turn in our camaraderie. Even Forest cracks a small smile, acknowledging the situation.
“Wouldn’t mind seeing what you’ve got,” Gabe chimes in, his earlier caution replaced with a genuine interest. “Might learn a thing or two.”
“Not many can say they’ve taken on Charlie team and lived to tell the tale.” Ethan fixes me with a solid look. “We can definitely learn a thing or two from each other.”
It’s an odd feeling standing among these men who were adversaries just moments ago. Now, there’s talk of learning from each other and grudging respect.
They clearly value strength, skill, and bravery—qualities they see in my actions, however reckless they might have seemed at the time.
“Fine,” I concede, the corner of my mouth lifts in amusement. “Maybe I can share a few tricks, but I’m interested in picking up some of yours too. Seems a fair trade.”
This unexpected turn of events, from confrontation to mutual respect, marks the beginning of a new chapter.
For now, I’m one of them, united by a common purpose—toprotect Mia. The group erupts into good-natured ribbing once more, and I can’t help but feel a connection to these men who have seen and done things most people can’t even imagine.
I take a deep breath, my mind spinning with the possibilities. A chance to start over, to be part of something bigger than myself, to make a difference in the world?
It’s an opportunity I never saw coming.
I look around at the men, knowing in my gut this feels right, but I’m not ready to jump from one organization to the next. I still need time to figure out what I want to do with my life.
With that, all the tension in the room disappears. We gather around the table, grab drinks—no alcohol—and shoot the shit.
I lean close to Blake for a private word. “Thanks for greasing the wheels and keeping me involved.”
“Had a feeling it wasn’t a choice.”
“It’s not, but you stepped up and welcomed me. Obviously, I know nothing about your organization, but I know about the teams and how they operate. I assume things work much the same.”
“Much the same, but wait until you see the tech we get to use.”
“Tech?”
“Imagine all the cool gear you got to play with in the Navy and multiply it a thousand times. Forest’s pockets are as deep as his mind is… Let’s just say Forest is a savant, and Mitzy is barely a step behind him. We get to play with really cool toys. Can’t wait to see what Stormy thinks of the Rufi. As for the job offer, take all the time you need.” Blake’s expression tells me whatever I think I know about the Guardians, my mind’s about to get seriously blown.
Blake, my old friend, claps me on the shoulder. “You certainly know how to pick them.”
“Them? What does that mean?”
“Only that you’re still stepping into the thick of things and playing hero, even on vacation.” He grins, jabbing me in the ribs playfully. “Mia can’t keep her eyes off of you.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “What can I say? Trouble seems to find me, even when I’m trying to relax.”
The men of Charlie team laugh at that.
I like these men. There’s an easy camaraderie between them, something I miss from my SEAL days.
Something I thought I’d never experience again.
There’s Walt, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a contagious smile. Gabe, quiet and intense, with eyes that seem to see right through you. Hank, the youngest of the group, with a boyish grin and a mischievous glint in his eye. Of course, there’s my old friend, Blake, serious and gruff on the outside but a trickster at heart.
A few minutes later, Ethan calls out to his men.
“Okay, knuckleheads, shut up and gather round. Let’s debrief that mission. We need to talk about that helicopter.”
As the conversation shifts to a debrief, I can’t help but feel a sense of coming home. I miss the tight bonds that come from working as a team because this is what I’m meant to do.