Page 90 of Rescuing Mia
Are these men friends or foes?
Allies or enemies?
I have no way of knowing, and the uncertainty is almost as terrifying as the churning sea around us.
Rigel senses my unease, his arms tightening around me in a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “They’re here to help.”
I want to believe him, to take comfort in his words, but fear is a living thing inside me, a gnawing, clawing beast that refuses to be tamed. I’ve been hunted, attacked, and thrown into the unforgiving ocean—how can I trust anyone or anything in this moment?
One of the men leans forward, his face cast in shadow. “ETA to the trawler, six minutes,” he says, his voice a low, gravelly rumble. “Our medical team is standing by.”
The words send a chill down my spine, a fresh wave of panic cresting in my gut. Where are they taking me? What’s going to happen to me?
Chapter Thirty-Three
MIA
I twistin Rigel’s arms, my eyes wide and pleading as I look up at him. “Rigel, what’s going on? Where are we going?”
He meets my gaze, his expression softening with a tenderness that makes my breath catch. “Somewhere safe,” he says, his hand cupping my cheek.
I want to believe him. I need to believe him, but as the RIB surges onward through the inky black of the night, the unknown looms ahead like a yawning abyss. I can’t shake the feeling we’re hurtling toward a fate beyond our control.
I cling to Rigel like a lifeline.
He’s my anchor, protector, and only hope in this chaotic, terrifying world.
“Who are they?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Friends,” Rigel replies, his gaze never leaving mine. “They’re here to help. To keep you safe.”
I frown, trying to make sense of his words. The last thing I remember is the attack on the cruise ship, the terror of being pushed overboard, and the icy shock of the water closing over my head.
And then—nothing.
“What happened?” I ask, my voice trembling. “Where are we going?”
One of the men, a tall, broad-shouldered figure with piercing blue eyes, leans forward, his expression serious.
“We’re taking you to a safe place, Ms. Chen. Somewhere where you can rest and recover and where we can plan our next steps.”
“I don’t understand. Who are you?” I shake my head, confusion and fear warring in my mind. “How do you know my name?”
“My name is Ethan.” He glances at Rigel. “Leader of Charlie team, a part of the Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists. We’re a private firm contracted by the U.S. government to protect high-value assets like yourself.”
“I’m not a hostage?”
“Not at all. You’re an incredibly vital asset.”
My eyes widen, a chill running down my spine.
Ethan’s jaw tightens, his gaze sharp and assessing.
“It’s okay. They’re here to help.” Rigel’s arms tighten around me, his voice low and urgent in my ear.
I want to believe him, trust in the strength and certainty of his words, but there’s a part of me that can’t shake the feeling I’m in over my head, and the forces arrayed against me are too powerful and entrenched to be defeated.
As if sensing my thoughts, Ethan leans forward, his gaze locking with mine. “I know you’re scared, Ms. Chen, and I know you have no reason to trust us, but I give you my word; we will do everything in our power to keep you safe and to see this through to the end.”