Page 93 of Rescuing Mia

As I haulmyself over the railing and onto the deck, my eyes immediately seek out Mia. She’s standing near the center of the deck, wrapped in a dry blanket, with Blake and a towering, Norse god-like man on either side of her.

I start toward her, my heart pounding in my chest, but before I can take more than a step, the rest of Charlie team clambers over the railing behind me. Ethan, Gabe, Hank, and Walt fan out across the deck, their faces grim and alert as they scan our surroundings.

The woman with the vibrant, psychedelic hair saunters over to Ethan, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well, well, Ethan,” she drawls, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “We sent you to rescue a damsel in distress, and you come back with the damsel and a stray puppy. Unconventional, to say the least.”

Mia tenses beside me, and I instinctively pull her closer, my jaw tightening. “I’m not a stray,” I growl, my voice low and warning. “And she’s not a damsel. She’s a survivor.”

The woman holds her hands up in a placating gesture, but the amusement doesn’t leave her eyes. “Easy there,” she says, her tone light and teasing. “Just joking.”

I blink, taken aback by her words.

Me? A stray puppy?

I’m not sure whether to be offended or amused.

But before I can respond, the giant of a man steps forward, his gaze intense and assessing as it sweeps over Mia and me. “Ethan, report,” he commands, his voice deep and resonant. “What happened out there?”

As Ethan recounts the mission, I tune out his words, focusing entirely on Mia. She’s shaking in my arms, her skin pale and clammy, and her eyes glazed with exhaustion and fear.

The woman with the kind face and the long, brown hair approaches us, a gentle smile on her lips. “Why don’t we get you inside and warmed up?” she suggests, her voice soft and soothing. “I’m sure you could use some dry clothes and a hot meal.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice rough with exhaustion and emotion.

As we follow the woman toward the warmth and light of the trawler’s interior, I feel the others’ eyes on us—curious, assessing, speculative.

They have questions, but I want answers.

For now, all that matters is Mia.

Everything else can wait.

The woman leads us down a narrow corridor, the metal walls humming with the vibration of the engines. She stops in front of a door and pushes it open, revealing a small but cozy cabin.

“I’m Skye, by the way,” she says, turning to face us with a warm smile. “I’m the medical head for Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists.”

Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists.

Blake mentioned he now works for them.

He even hinted that there might be a position open for me.

Skye’s gaze sweeps over us, her eyes sharp and assessing. “Let’s get you both checked out.” She gestures for us to sit on a narrow bunk. “Make sure there’s no lasting damage from your little swim.”

Her touch is gentle but firm as she examines first Mia, then me. She asks questions about our injuries, our exposure to the cold, andour level of exhaustion. I answer as best I can, my voice sounding distant and hollow to my own ears.

“You’re both lucky,” Skye says at last, leaning back with a sigh. “A little hypothermic, a lot exhausted, but nothing a warm meal and a good night’s sleep won’t fix.”

Skye gestures to the door. “Mitzy and I should have something that will fit Mia, and I’ll grab something out of the guys’ rooms that you can wear. In the meantime, I might suggest a hot shower. It’ll help to warm both of you. Just make sure to test the temperature first. Hypothermia makes you less sensitive to heat, and I don’t want you to scald yourselves. Forest loves his showers hot, and the boiler’s turned up as a result.”

She pauses, her hand on the doorknob. “The shower in this cabin is a bit of a squeeze for two. If you like, I can show you to another cabin where you can shower separately?”

“I’m not leaving Mia’s side.” I stand, shaking my head. “One shower will be enough, thank you.”

“I figured as much.” Skye nods, and a flicker of understanding flashes in her eyes. “I’ll be back shortly with the clothes. Take all the time you need. Then, come up to the galley. We have a lot to talk about.”

I nod, too tired to argue. As Skye slips out of the cabin, closing the door softly behind her, I turn to Mia. She looks small and fragile, huddled in the blanket, her eyes huge in her pale face.

“Hey,” I murmur, reaching out to tuck a strand of damp hair behind her ear. “How are you holding up?”