Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
MIA
I twist in 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.”
The end?
That sounds ominous.
There’s steel in his voice, a conviction that brooks no argument. Despite my fears, despite the doubts that gnaw at the edges of my mind, a flicker of hope kindles in my chest.
“Okay,” I whisper, my voice hoarse and raw.
Ethan nods, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
As the boat speeds through the night, the stars twinkle in the inky sky above. I drift in and out, my mind struggling to make sense of the events that brought me here.
Rigel’s arms remain a constant presence around me, his warmth and strength anchoring me to the present, even as my thoughts spiral into a maze of uncertainty and fear. Despite his comforting embrace, I can’t stop shivering; my clothes soaked through from our plunge into the ocean, and the spray from the boat doesn’t help.
The chill seeps into my bones, and the wind only intensifies the cold.
One of the men, a tall, broad-shouldered figure with kind eyes, approaches. He adjusts the Mylar blanket around my body, the material crinkling softly as he tucks it around me.
“This should help keep you warm,” he says, his voice gentle and reassuring. “I’m Walt, by the way. Charlie team’s medic.”
I look to Rigel, a silent question in my eyes. He nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Walt works with Blake, the friend I’ve mentioned, the one who works for the private security company.”
Blake crouches down to Mia’s level to reassure her. “Walt’s one of the best medics I know.”
Walt chuckles, shaking his head. “I don’t know about that, but I know a thing or two about keeping people alive.” He leans in closer, his eyes scanning my face with a professional intensity. “How are you feeling? Any dizziness, nausea, or trouble breathing?”
“No, just cold. Really cold.” I shake my head, the movement sending a fresh wave of shivers through my body. “And tired. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“That’s understandable.” Walt nods, his expression serious. “You were in the water for a while, and the risk of hypothermia is real. I’ll keep an eye on you. Make sure your body temperature doesn’t drop too low.”
I glance at Rigel, noting that he, too, is soaked to the skin, his hair plastered to his forehead. “What about you?” I ask, my voice rough with concern. “Don’t you need a blanket, too?”
“Don’t worry about Rigel. He’s a tough guy, and he’s been through worse than a little cold water.” Blake follows my gaze, a rueful smile tugging at his lips.
“I’m fine.” Rigel tightens his arms around me, his breath warm against my ear. “Right now, all that matters is keeping you safe and warm.”
I lean into him, grateful for his strength and for the unwavering support he offers. The foil blanket crinkles as I shift, the material reflecting the body heat trapped beneath it.
I blink, my eyes gritty and sore, as I take in our surroundings.
“Where are we?” I ask, my voice rasping in my dry throat.
“A safe place for now,” Ethan replies. “We’ll be able to regroup and plan our next move.”
I nod, a flicker of hope kindling in my chest.
As the RIB slows, a shape looms out of the darkness, a hulking silhouette that gradually resolves into the form of a fishing trawler. It bobs gently on the swells, its deck lights casting a soft glow that spills across the black water.
The scent of diesel fuel and salt spray hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the briny tang of fish and the musty odor of damp nets. The trawler’s hull is weathered and scarred, a patchwork of rust and peeling paint that speaks to a life spent battling the elements.
As we draw closer, I can make out more details—the massive crane mounted on the stern, the rows of windows along the wheelhouse, and the tangles of ropes and buoys scattered across the deck. It’s a workhorse of a vessel, utilitarian and unlovely, but at this moment, it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
The RIB bumps gently against the trawler’s hull, the rubber sides absorbing the impact with a soft squeak. Above us, a rope ladder unfurls from the railing and slaps against the trawler’s hull.
I look up at the ladder, my heart sinking as I take in the daunting climb ahead. There’s no way I can make it up there, not in my weakened state, not with my limbs shaking and my head spinning.
Rigel seems to sense my hesitation. “I’ll carry you,” he says, his voice low and reassuring .
“Carry me?” I jerk back, my eyes wide with disbelief. “You can’t possibly carry me up that ladder. I’ll fall.” My hands are too weak to hold the Mylar blanket around me, let alone cling to Rigel’s back.
“You’ll never fall. Not when you’re with me.” Rigel’s gaze is steady, his expression fierce with determination.
But before he can move, Blake steps forward, shaking his head. “Rigel, you’re in no condition for that.”
“Mia is mine to protect. I’ll carry her. I’ll keep her safe.” Rigel looks like he wants to argue, his jaw tightening.
Blake’s expression softens, but his tone remains firm. “Not in your current state. You’re cold and shivering.” He gestures to his own tactical gear, which includes a wetsuit. “I’ll take good care of her. Help me fashion a Swiss seat out of rope, and we’ll tie her to my back.”
“Blake’s right, Rigel.” Ethan, the team leader, nods his agreement. “You can stand below and spot them in case anything happens.”
Rigel hesitates for a moment, his eyes locked on mine. The struggle in his gaze is impossible to miss, the fierce desire to protect warring with the knowledge that Blake is better equipped for the task.
Finally, he nods, his shoulders sagging slightly.
Under Ethan’s guidance, I bend over Blake’s back, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist like a monkey. Rigel and Ethan work together to tie me securely to Blake, their hands deft and sure.
As Blake begins to climb, I bury my face against his shoulder, my eyes squeezed shut. The rope ladder sways and shifts beneath us, the RIB’s movement and the roll of the waves makes it feel like the world is tilting on its axis.
With each step Blake takes, the ladder lurches and shudders. I cling to him desperately, my arms locked around his neck in a chokehold of terror.
Up and down we go, rising and falling with the heave of the sea.
Every time the ladder slips or jerks, a fresh wave of panic crashes over me, stealing my breath and making my heart race. I squeeze my eyes shut tighter, trying to block out the dizzying sensation of the void beneath us.
Halfway up, Blake lets out a strained chuckle. “If you keep choking me like that,” he says, his voice tight with effort, “I’m gonna pass out, and we’re both gonna fall.”
My eyes fly open, a gasp of horror escaping my lips. Immediately, I loosen my grip, trying to find a balance between holding on tight enough to feel secure and not strangling my rescuer in the process.
Blake reaches back and pats my leg reassuringly. “Just hold on steady,” he says, his voice calm and even. “We’re almost there.”
I nod against his shoulder, not trusting myself to speak. I try to focus on his words, on the solid strength of his body beneath mine, rather than the yawning void below.
Step by step, Blake continues his climb, his movements sure and steady despite the added weight of my body on his back. I feel the strain in his muscles, the coiled power that propels us upward, and I’m struck by a fierce surge of gratitude for his strength and skill.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we reach the top of the ladder. Hands reach out to pull us onto the deck, and I’m hit by a rush of relief so intense it leaves me dizzy.
I’m vaguely aware of two women—one with psychedelic, multicolored hair cut short in a pixie cut, the other with long brown hair, a kind smile, and warm eyes. They help untie me from Blake’s back.
But my attention is drawn to the other figures on the deck—a formidable giant of a man with a shock of white-blond hair and a physique that reminds me of the Norse god Thor, and several other men with the same imposing stature as those in the RIB, all of them towering over me, their muscles straining against their clothes.
I shrink back instinctively, my heart hammering in my chest, but then Rigel is there, pulling me into his arms, his warmth and strength enveloping me like a shield.
“You’re safe now,” he murmurs, his voice fierce with conviction. “I’ve got you.”
Rigel’s embrace is fierce and protective. Over his shoulder, I catch a glimpse of Blake, his face shining with sweat and a grin of triumph.
“Told you we’d make it,” he says, winking at me.
I manage a weak smile in return, my heart swelling with gratitude.
I’m safe.
I can catch my breath.
I need that.