Page 67 of Rescuing Sophia
“Rebel?” I blink in surprise. “When did you start working here?”
Rebel sets down our drinks, a small smile playing on her lips. “Just started this week. Jenna needed the help, and I needed… Well, something to do.”
Ethan appears behind her, his hand coming to rest on the small of her back. The gesture is casual and intimate, speaking volumes about their relationship.
Rebel’s story isn’t so different from Sophia’s—both were rescued, and both are trying to find their place in this new world.
“The Grind’s been good for both Sophia and Rebel. It’s given them something meaningful, you know?”
Ethan waits until Rebel is out of earshot before leaning in, his voice low. “She’s frustrated. Nothing new on her sister’s kid, but she hasn’t given up hope.”
Rebel’s sister, Violet, was forced into surrogacy, but after delivering the child, she managed to escape. She called Rebel for help, but before she could say much, Rebel heard a commotion over the phone—Violet was recaptured and killed. She’s been searching for her sister’s kid ever since.
We all know the odds, the grim reality of what happens to girls who disappear into the world of human trafficking, let alone any children they might conceive. Hope is a powerful thing, and sometimes it’s all we have.
Rigel strides over, a rare spark of excitement lighting up his usually stoic face, cutting through the tension like a breath of fresh air.
“You guys have got to try the new cinnamon roll. It’s like heaven in pastry form.” His enthusiasm is almost contagious as he waves the plate in front of us.
“High praise coming from our resident robot,” Gabe teases, but he’s already signaling Rebel for an order.
As we settle into our usual rhythm of conversation and caffeine consumption, it’s funny how quickly The Guardian Grind has become an integral part of our routine. It’s more than just a coffee shop—it’s a haven, a place where we can forget the weight of our responsibilities and just be.
The rich, spicy scent of cinnamon fills the air as Rebel brings over Gabe’s pastry. The conversation flows easily, punctuated by laughter and the occasional good-natured insult. For a moment, it feels like any other day.
But the illusion is shattered by the sudden, insistent beeping of our pagers. Ethan pulls his out first, his face growing serious as he reads the message.
“All Guardian teams are being called in for a briefing.” His voice cuts through the chatter. “Looks urgent.”
TWENTY-TWO
Blake
The relaxed atmosphere evaporates instantly,replaced by a tense alertness that’s become all too familiar.
The bright morning sunshine contrasts with the somber mood as we make our way back to HQ. The usual banter is subdued, and each of us is lost in our own thoughts about what this urgent briefing could mean.
As we make our way through the building, the familiar security protocols feel more oppressive than usual. The weight of my recovered badge seems heavier in my pocket, a constant reminder of the unease plaguing me.
When we reach the conference room, the air buzzes with tension. I take my seat among the other Guardians. Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie teams are all present, an unusual gathering that speaks to the seriousness of the situation. Delta team would be here, except they’re out on a mission with the FBI.
Sam stands at the front of the room, his posture rigid. CJ paces behind him, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by a grim frown. Mitzy’s fingers blur across the keyboard, her focus unbroken, while Forest leans against the wall, his arms crossed.
“Alright, let’s get started.” Sam’s voice cuts through the murmurof conversation. The room falls silent. “As you’re all aware, we’ve been experiencing some irregularities in our security systems.”
Mitzy looks up from her laptop. “Irregularities is putting it mildly. We’re talking about a potential full-scale breach.”
A collective intake of breath sweeps through the room. My muscles tense, the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders.
“What kind of breach are we talking about?” Max, the leader of Alpha team, leans forward in his chair.
“That’s the thing. It doesn’t look like any breach we’ve seen before. It’s... subtle. Almost undetectable.” Mitzy’s hands move swiftly over the keyboard, her gaze locked on the screen.
“But you did detect something.” Brady, Bravo team’s leader, points out.
“Barely,” Forest chimes in, his voice grave. “And only because we’ve been expecting it.”
CJ stops his pacing. “We’ve had doors unlocking themselves, security cameras glitching, and some odd data transfers that we can’t account for.”