Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
RIGEL
As we step into the galley, the tight space brims with the energy of Charlie team, mingling with the subtle hum of machinery from beneath the deck. The air is thick with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, which blends seamlessly with the rich, tantalizing scent of garlic and spices simmering on the stove, likely some hearty stew.
My stomach gurgles in response.
The harsh fluorescents bounce off stainless steel appliances, and stark white walls cast everyone in a harsh, unyielding light. It gives the small galley an almost surgical feel, accentuating the serious expressions of the crew gathered within.
The clinking of utensils and the occasional hiss from the stove punctuate the buzz of urgent conversations that fall silent the moment Mia and I enter.
Ethan steps forward, his posture relaxed but his eyes keen. His half-smile teeters between amusement and irritation, perhaps remnants of the day’s stress.
“Everyone, this is Rigel.” He makes a sweeping gesture that feels almost theatrical in the cramped quarters.
He points to a man who stands out not just for his height but for the air of authority he exudes. “This is Forest Summers, creator of the Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists. He’s very hands-on.”
Forest, his ice-blue eyes piercing under the fluorescent lights, nods once. His gaze sweeps over Mia and me like a sharp breeze, assessing and calculating in the brief moment our eyes meet.
“And this is Sam.” Ethan’s introduction moves swiftly to a rugged figure leaning against the counter.
He indicates a man whose presence seems carved from the very bedrock of the sea: muscular, slightly grizzled, and unquestionably sturdy.
“Greetings.” Sam’s smile is tight, more like a clenching of teeth than a greeting. His eyes are sharp as they flicker over Mia and me, missing nothing.
Ethan gestures toward a man whose quiet demeanor seems almost incongruous with the dynamic energy of the room.
“CJ is my immediate superior. He runs the Guardian teams: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. He reports to Sam.”
CJ raises a hand in greeting and nods slightly, his expression unreadable. He is cloaked in professional neutrality yet tinged with an undercurrent of welcome.
Finally, Ethan gestures toward a woman whose hair is a vivid tapestry of psychedelic colors, each strand pulsing with life. “Mitzy is our technical team leader.”
Mitzy’s wink throws a brief, unexpected bridge over the formalities, her previous jest not forgotten.
“And you’ve already met Skye.”
Skye offers a warm smile, her presence soothing like a calm breeze.
I nod at each in turn, my mind racing to catalog their faces, names, and the subtle cues of their stances—a room filled with stories of bravery and scars hidden under the surface.
“Mia, you haven’t met my team.” Ethan continues with introductions. “Walt, Blake, Gabe, and Hank.” He taps his hand to his chest. “And I’m Ethan.” He gestures toward the table and the two empty seats. “Please, have a seat and take a load off. ”
Turning back toward CJ and Sam, Ethan’s not finished. “We need to talk about Rigel. He played a crucial role in our mission.”
Before I can say anything, Hank chimes in with a grin. “Yeah, if by ‘crucial’ you mean single-handedly taking on all four of us, kicking our asses, and then diving overboard like a madman to save the girl, then sure, he played a crucial role.”
The others chuckle, and a flush creeps up my neck.
I’m not used to being the center of attention, especially not for something like this, but as I glance at Mia, seeing the warmth and gratitude shining in her eyes, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
For her, I’d face down an army.
For her, I’d take on the world.
For her, I’d take a bullet and keep on fighting.
“I’m telling you, man, this guy’s got some serious skills.” Gabe smacks me on the back. “I thought I was gonna have to fish Hank out of the water after Rigel was done with him.”
Laughter erupts from the group, and even Ethan can’t suppress a grin.
“I feel like I missed out,” Blake says. “Next time you’re planning on auditioning for the next superhero blockbuster, give me a heads up, will ya? I want to get my popcorn ready.”
The group dissolves into laughter once more, and I can’t help but join in. These guys are clearly tight-knit; their banter is easy and natural.
“But seriously,” Hank regales our audience with a retelling of the chaos on deck, his face animated with vivid descriptions, bringing the scene on Serenity ’s deck to life. “You should’ve seen the way this fucker fights. He doesn’t pull any punches and took all four of us on without hesitation.”
There’s genuine respect in Hank’s eyes. “The way you fought and the way you didn’t hesitate to jump in after Mia… That was damn impressive.”
“I second what Hank says. Diving after Mia was the smoothest move.” Gabe, unable to resist another jab, has fun with it.
He gestures dramatically, mimicking my sudden, unexpected leap overboard. His hands arc through the air, illustrating my dive with a flourish that draws a round of chuckles.
Ethan, the leader of this team, paints the picture with a broad smile. “You should’ve seen our faces. We’re supposed to be the rescuers, right? And there goes Rigel kicking our asses and sailing over the rail after his girl.” He shakes his head in mock disbelief, his hand flat against his forehead in a ‘can-you-believe-it’ gesture. “He totally turned the tables on us.”
“Absolutely,” Gabe exclaims, his voice laden with incredulity. “We stood there, jaws practically hitting the deck. Seriously, who dives overboard like that? No mask. No fins. No wetsuit. No boat. Not even a life jacket. Fucker’s got some serious balls.” He mimics their astonishment, jaw dropped and eyes wide in disbelief, pointing animatedly at Rigel. “This man right here. He’s in a league of his own. We were so gobsmacked that it took us a moment to snap out of it and think, ‘Oh, right, we need to dive in quick to make sure Blake can find us all. Otherwise, we’d be adrift.”
“Hey, I did what I had to do.” I shrug and laugh it off. “I thought you were pirates sent by Red Phoenix to kidnap Mia, and there was no way in hell I was gonna let that happen.”
“Pirates?” Hank guffaws. “Hear that, boys? We be pirates now!”
“ Arrr, matey! ” Walt puts on a terrible pirate accent. “ Ye best be watchin’ yer back, or we’ll be stealin’ yer treasure! ”
Hank feigns a pirate’s swagger. “Aye, and there we were, thinking we be the tough ones. Rigel’s leap into the abyss had us questioning our pirate credentials.” Hank leans back and crosses his arms, a mock-serious look on his face before breaking into a wide, approving smile, “Pirate or not, that was something out of legend.”
My face heats with the praise.
The room erupts with laughter, and the story is vividly retold and embellished, then retold again. The others’ expressions range from amused to awe-struck.
The camaraderie between the Charlie team members is palpable. Their relaxed yet animated body language seems to invite me into the fold.
Amidst the banter and playful jabs, I find a moment of connection with these men. Their recounting of my unexpected heroics bridges the gap between stranger and friend.
Blake claps as if rounding everybody up for an announcement. “Back in the day, during active duty, we tackled a few missions side by side. Believe me, he’s as reliable as they come.”
Forest, imposing and statuesque, assesses me with a gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. “What he is—reliable aside—is a walking security risk.” His tone carries the weight of his concern.
“He’s a frogman,” Blake quickly interjects, a hint of pride in his voice, challenging Forest’s swift judgment.
A ripple of curiosity passes through the group, their initial reservations giving way to intrigue. Blake, seizing the moment of silence, introduces me to the rest of the room.
“A SEAL, huh?” CJ inquires, his question slicing through the formalities to the heart of my experience. “What class were you in?”
Typical frogman question. The ‘What class were you in’ question is one of those instant judgments. Like a measuring stick, we’re all stuck with. It basically is a way to measure who’s got more experience than the other.
As if that matters.
As the introductions unfold, the room’s sense of wariness turns to curiosity. Forest’s stance is clear, his body language guarded, reflecting his concerns over potential security threats I might pose to their organization.
Though slightly more receptive, CJ mirrors this sentiment. His questions aim to gauge my capabilities and intentions.
Mitzy, however, cuts through the tension with her sharp intellect and open curiosity. She leans forward, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that suggests she’s already forming plans that could well include my skills.
“Well, isn’t this serendipitous? Don’t ya’ think? Forest? CJ?” She eyes both men. “Here we are, Charlie team a man down, and along comes Rigel, leaping off ships while taking names. It almost makes you wonder if he’s auditioning without us knowing.” Her gaze flickers to me, amusement dancing in her eyes. “He’d make a rather convenient addition, wouldn’t you say? ”
Forest opens his mouth to say something, but before he can speak, Mitzy lifts a finger. “Before you say it, I’ve already researched his background and completed the security check. Rigel is the real thing. Perfect, actually.”
“His actions, while unconventional, demonstrate resourcefulness, but we’re not offering him a job. He’s a complication.” Forest isn’t convinced. His stance is firm, even as the room’s atmosphere lightens.
Mitzy shoots back with a grin that could slice through the tension. “Oh, please, Forest, like you’re the gatekeeper of Charlie team’s recruitment. Good thing you’re not in charge of hiring new Guardians, huh?” Her tone drips with mock relief.
Mitzy, undeterred by Forest’s grumbling, turns to Ethan, then lifts a brow and stares at CJ.
“Well, thankfully, it’s not Forest’s call to make, right? We all know CJ’s the one who signs off on Guardian hires, but let’s not forget, ultimately, it’s Ethan’s call if Rigel fits the bill.”
“Um…” I raise my hand like I’m in fucking grade school. “I’m not looking for a job. Not auditioning for anything. Just a guy looking for an adventure.”
Mitzy completely ignores me.
Her gaze flits between the men, a playful yet knowing look in her eyes. “So, how about it, Ethan? Think Forest’s complication has what it takes to join the ranks?”
Blake jumps right in. “Dude, I told you I found a great place to work. If you’d let me know you were getting out, I would’ve set you up for a proper interview.”
Mitzy’s enthusiasm is barely contained. “I have a feeling you’ll fit right in,” she says with a grin, her gaze suggesting she’s already envisioning me as part of their operations.
CJ leans back with a thoughtful expression and finally adds his two cents, nodding slightly in agreement.
“Mitzy has a point. We rarely encounter someone with Rigel’s… Let’s call it, ‘enthusiastic intervention.’ Skills are one thing, but the guts to jump off a ship for a civilian? That’s on another level. Ethan, I think she’s on to something. ”
“That’s what Lover Boys do.” Forest pulls at his chin, clearly trying to hide a grin.
“Oh, please.” Mitzy shakes her head. “Can’t we get through one mission without your little comments?”
“I call it as I see it.” Forest leans back, looking pleased with himself.
I have no idea what the fuck that was about.
“Concur.” Sam leans back and crosses his arms. He gives me a long look, then nods in agreement.
All eyes turn to me, awaiting my response to the sudden shift in conversation and the possibility of joining their ranks, even if temporarily.
Before I can formulate my thoughts, Ethan addresses me directly, his tone a mixture of resignation and humor.
“Honestly, Rigel, I’m not sure it’s entirely up to me whether you stick around.” Ethan glances at Mia before returning his focus to me. “If you’re willing to jump overboard for her, I doubt there’s much we could do to keep you away if we tried. So, I guess we’re stuck with you, at least for now.”
The room awaits my reaction, the ball firmly in my court.
I keep Mia close, my arm around her waist, offering silent support and comfort. She’s overwhelmed, but with these remarkable individuals on our side, we have a fighting chance.
Fortunately, I’m saved from having to provide an answer by Skye. She gives the room a look, then seamlessly takes control, and she does it by ignoring everyone except Mia.
“Mia, you poor thing. You look exhausted. You look like you could use some sleep. Let’s find you a bunk and let them figure out what comes next. Rigel, you should come too. You have to be a bit—worn out after that rescue. All will be clearer in the morning.”
The events of the past few hours replay in my mind—the chaos on the Serenity , Mia’s terrified face, and the rush of adrenaline as I fought to protect her.
Sam clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Before you go, let’s recap where we are and where we’re going.”
He turns to Mia, his expression softening. “Mia, as you know, we were hired by the CIA to extract you and bring you to safety. We’re working with U.S. Embassy personnel to protect you and help you achieve asylum.”
Mia’s eyes widen, and she takes a deep breath. “Thank you. I really appreciate that. This is all just so overwhelming.”
Suddenly, panic flashes across her face. Mia turns to me, clutching at my shirt.
“My tablet—it’s back on the Serenity . All the information, the evidence against Red Phoenix?—”
Ethan gestures to Gabe, who holds a watertight, sealed immersion bag. Ethan takes the bag, unrolls it, and retrieves the tablet from inside. He hands it to Mia, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“While Rigel was kicking my teammate’s asses, we retrieved the tablet from your stateroom.”
Mia clutches the tablet to her chest, relief washing over her features.
“Mia, I know it’s hard to trust strangers, but we’re the best of the best and the right people for this job.” Mitzy leans forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You can trust us.”
Mia hesitates, caught between the comfort of my side and the promise of sleep. I lean down, offering a whisper of assurance.
“It’s okay. I don’t know these people, but if Blake says they’re good, I believe him. You’ll be safe.”
“Okay…” Mia reluctantly opens and unlocks the tablet. “I put all the files here. It’s my only copy.”
“The first step is to verify what you have. Once we do that, we can move to the next step—making a secure copy in case…” Mitzy suddenly stops, then starts again. “Step three is getting you into witness protection and securing your asylum.”
Mia meets my gaze, searching for that unspoken promise of security in my eyes. Finding it, she offers a small, grateful smile before turning to Mitzy.
“Thank you.”
Blake suddenly turns to me with a mischievous grin. “Rigel, you still with Stormy? Or did you have to leave her behind? ”
Mia’s eyes narrow slightly as she glances at me, clearly intrigued by the conversation.
“Took her with me. She’s doing great, actually. Retired and enjoying a quieter life now. Couldn’t leave her behind.”
“That’s a surprise.” Blake chuckles.
“Why do you say that?”
“Stormy was never very loyal.” Blake turns to the others. “She’d sleep with any of the men on the team as long as the bed was warm. Rigel was her favorite, but she spread out the love.”
“Stormy sounds…interesting.” The room erupts in laughter, and Mia’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
“Yeah, she is something else.” I struggle to keep a straight face. “Always found a way to get what she wanted.”
“Remember that time she stole your dinner?” Blake leans back, a twinkle in his eye.
I nod, laughing. “Yeah, she had no shame. Walked right up, took the steak off my plate, and trotted off like she owned the place.”
Mia’s eyes widen further in shock.
Blake smirks, shaking his head. “And let’s not forget how she’d always find the warmest bed. Didn’t matter if it was Rigel’s or anyone else’s. As long as it was warm, she was happy.”
“I can’t believe you all shared her like that.” The laughter grows, and Mia’s cheeks flush as she processes the information. She seems torn between amusement and bewilderment, then her eyes widen. “Stormy’s a dog?”
“What did you think she was?”
“I thought you were talking about a girl.” Her cheeks redden.
“You thought…” I laugh, realizing what we’ve been saying and how the meaning changes if Stormy was a chick. “Stormy is most definitely not a woman. She’s my trusty four-legged friend. I was her trainer. She’s been with me through a lot of scary shit. She’s my loyal partner, but she has a knack for making everyone feel loved.”
“Absolutely.” Blake nods vigorously. “She’d even cuddle with two or three of us at once if she could manage it.”
“To her credit, she saved our asses more times than I can count. She was always there when we needed her.” I finally crack, a broad grin spreading across my face.
“You guys are terrible,” Mitzy chimes in, looking between Mia and me. “I can’t believe you all shared her like that.”
“Well, to be fair,” Blake says, still chuckling, “Stormy loved Rigel the most.”
Mitzy looks at Mia. “On that note, I’d say let’s look at that tablet here, but there’s waaaay too much testosterone clotting the air. How about you, me, and Skye head to the captain’s stateroom, and you show me what you found?”
“Okay.” Once again, Mia looks at me, a strange expression on her face.
I take her hand in mine and press my lips against her knuckles in a feathery kiss.
“I’ll be right here. Not going anywhere.”
“Let’s go. Got lots of work to do.” Mitzy suddenly shuts the case to Mia’s tablet and springs to her feet. Mitzy looks at me and winks. “Don’t worry, Lover Boy, we’ll have her back in shipshape in no time.”
Mitzy throws a playful glance over her shoulder. Her bright, psychedelic hair catches the light, and for a moment, I see what looks to be glitter in her hair.
Skye provides further reassurance, although it’s not necessary. “We’ll take good care of her. You have my word.” Her tone is firm, a pledge from one protector to another.
Skye gently leads Mia away, with Mitzy following close behind. The three women chat quietly, their voices low and soothing, as they disappear down the hall.