Page 128 of Rescuing Mia
It’s not a lie, exactly, but definitely an omission. The thing is, I don’t want Mia to worry about my sister and her safety. There’s enough to worry about as it is.
“I hope we don’t bring her any trouble.” Her gaze drifts over the rolling hills and endless rows of vines. “What are the chances of you showing me around the place before we head inside?”
“Absolutely zero. In fact, we’ve spent too much time in the open as it is. If Red Phoenix followed us, it’s going to take them a bit of time to figure out the next steps. By then, I want you safely inside.”
“Bummer.”
“Charlie team has set up surveillance and traps all around the property. I don’t want you to accidentally set one of them off.”
“Fine. I get it.” Mia looks at me with a cute little pout.
“Come on, let’s go inside and get settled. We have a lot to prepare for.” I give her a reassuring smile.
As we walk toward the house, I can’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness. This place, with all its memories and beauty, is now a battleground, but with Charlie team watching our backs, we can face whatever comes our way.
We reach the front door, and I pull out my key, unlocking it with a sense of familiarity that grounds me. The door swings open, and the first thing I see is Stormy lounging on the couch. She’s a Belgian Malinois, a Navy SEAL dog trained to perfection but still very much a dog when it comes to greeting her people.
“Stormy!” I call out, my voice softening with affection. “Come here, girl. I’ve missed you.”
Stormy’s ears perk up, and her eyes brighten as she recognizes me. Her entire body wiggles with excitement, her tail waggingfuriously. She bounds over, her nails clicking on the wooden floor, and circles around me, her butt wiggling in that joyous dog dance.
“Good girl,” I murmur, kneeling to greet her properly.
Stormy presses against me, her enthusiasm infectious. I scratch behind her ears, and she leans into my touch, her eyes closing in bliss.
After a moment, I turn to Mia. “Mia, meet Stormy.”
“Hi, Stormy. It’s nice to meet you.” Mia kneels down, extending a hand for Stormy to sniff.
Stormy sniffs Mia’s hand, then nudges it with her nose, clearly approving. Mia smiles and pets her, her touch gentle and affectionate. Stormy’s tail wags even harder, and she leans into Mia, her trust immediate and unwavering.
“She likes you,” I say, smiling at the sight of them.
“She’s amazing,” Mia replies, her eyes shining. “I’ve never met a dog like her.”
“Stormy’s been through a lot of training. She’s smart and loyal. She’ll keep you safe.”
Mia looks up at me, her expression serious but grateful. “Once again, I can’t thank you enough… For everything.”
“We’re in this together.” I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Always.”
Just then, heavy footsteps clump up from the basement stairs and startle Mia. She jumps, her eyes wide.
“Relax,” I say, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “It’s just Blake.”
Blake emerges from the basement, his exuberant energy filling the room. “Hey, you two! Welcome to Casa de Rigel. Everything’s set up downstairs. We’re locked and loaded.”
“Thanks, Blake,” I reply, feeling relieved at having him here. “Anything to report?”
“Not a peep,” Blake says, clapping his hands together. “So, I was thinking, while we wait for Mitzy’s sensors to go off, how about some popcorn and a movie? I’ve got a blockbuster lineup ready to go.”
“Movie night?” I raise an eyebrow. “Seriously, Blake?”
“Come on, Rigel. It’s the perfect way to kill time. You gotta keep the morale up.” He grins, then turns to Mia. “What do you think, Mia? Popcorn and a movie?”
Mia’s eyes light up with excitement. “I’d love that! I haven’t had the chance to watch many American movies.”
“See? Mia’s on board.” Blake heads toward the kitchen, his voice trailing behind him. “I’ll get the popcorn started. You guys get comfy. We’ve got action, comedy, drama—you name it!”