Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
RIGEL
After a week of prep and countless drills inside Guardian HRS’s impressive virtual reality training ground, we’re ready. I don’t want to leave the protective walls of Guardian HRS, but that wasn’t my decision.
Mia and I drive down the Pacific Coast Highway in a bulletproof car provided by Guardian HRS. It handles like a dream and glides smoothly along the winding road.
The coastline unfurls beside us, the vast expanse of the ocean glittering under the midday sun. Waves crash against the rocky cliffs, sending up sprays of white foam that catch the light and glitter like diamonds. Seagulls wheel and cry overhead, their calls mingling with the rhythmic whoosh of the sea.
Ahead of us, the road curves through a landscape of rolling hills and verdant valleys. Patches of wildflowers dot the roadside, adding splashes of color to the dry, brown grasses. We pass through small coastal towns, their charming, weathered facades reflecting the laid-back vibe of seaside living.
Charlie team has been hard at work over the past few days, setting up surveillance, rigging booby traps, and testing various setups around the winery. They’ve mapped out every inch of the land, ensuring we have the upper hand in case anything goes wrong.
As we turn off the highway, the landscape shifts from rugged coastlines to the gentle, undulating hills of wine country. The road narrows, flanked by rows of meticulously tended vines that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The air is fragrant with the scent of grapes and earth, mingling with the faint hint of salt from the distant ocean. The sound of birds singing and the rustle of leaves in the breeze create a tranquil symphony.
“This place is incredible. Is this really where you grew up?” Mia gazes out the window, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Yeah, it is,” I reply, my voice tinged with nostalgia. “My sister and I grew up here. She’s ten years older than me, so when our parents died, she basically raised me.”
“I’m so sorry.” Mia turns to look at me, her expression softening. “That must have been tough for both of you.”
“It was, but it brought us closer together. She’s more than just a sister to me—she’s like a second mother and my best friend all rolled into one.”
We drive past the main entrance, the gates already open in anticipation of our arrival. The winery sprawls out before us, a harmonious blend of nature and architecture.
The main house stands proudly atop a gentle rise, surrounded by lush gardens and shaded by ancient oaks. Barns and outbuildings, weathered but well-maintained, dot the landscape, each adding to the rustic charm of the place.
I pull the car to a stop in front of the main house. The sound of gravel crunching under the tires is almost soothing. As we step out, the warm, earthy scent of the vineyard envelopes us. I take a deep breath, letting the familiarity of home wash over me.
“It’s beautiful. I can see why you love it here.” Mia stands beside me, her eyes taking in every detail.
“Thanks. It’s been in our family for generations. My sister and her husband Mike have worked hard to keep it going.”
“Where did they go?” Mia asks .
“She didn’t say, which is probably best.”
“Why’s that?”
Do I tell her the risks of this going south? How my sister can be leveraged against me if I happen to be taken? Interrogation is no joke, but if I don’t know—I don’t know, and no amount of torture can extract information I don’t have.
“She said a vacation sounded great.”
It’s not a lie, exactly, but definitely an omission. The thing is, I don’t want Mia to worry about my sister and her safety. There’s enough to worry about as it is.
“I hope we don’t bring her any trouble.” Her gaze drifts over the rolling hills and endless rows of vines. “What are the chances of you showing me around the place before we head inside?”
“Absolutely zero. In fact, we’ve spent too much time in the open as it is. If Red Phoenix followed us, it’s going to take them a bit of time to figure out the next steps. By then, I want you safely inside.”
“Bummer.”
“Charlie team has set up surveillance and traps all around the property. I don’t want you to accidentally set one of them off.”
“Fine. I get it.” Mia looks at me with a cute little pout.
“Come on, let’s go inside and get settled. We have a lot to prepare for.” I give her a reassuring smile.
As we walk toward the house, I can’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness. This place, with all its memories and beauty, is now a battleground, but with Charlie team watching our backs, we can face whatever comes our way.
We reach the front door, and I pull out my key, unlocking it with a sense of familiarity that grounds me. The door swings open, and the first thing I see is Stormy lounging on the couch. She’s a Belgian Malinois, a Navy SEAL dog trained to perfection but still very much a dog when it comes to greeting her people.
“Stormy!” I call out, my voice softening with affection. “Come here, girl. I’ve missed you.”
Stormy’s ears perk up, and her eyes brighten as she recognizes me. Her entire body wiggles with excitement, her tail wagging furiously. She bounds over, her nails clicking on the wooden floor, and circles around me, her butt wiggling in that joyous dog dance.
“Good girl,” I murmur, kneeling to greet her properly.
Stormy presses against me, her enthusiasm infectious. I scratch behind her ears, and she leans into my touch, her eyes closing in bliss.
After a moment, I turn to Mia. “Mia, meet Stormy.”
“Hi, Stormy. It’s nice to meet you.” Mia kneels down, extending a hand for Stormy to sniff.
Stormy sniffs Mia’s hand, then nudges it with her nose, clearly approving. Mia smiles and pets her, her touch gentle and affectionate. Stormy’s tail wags even harder, and she leans into Mia, her trust immediate and unwavering.
“She likes you,” I say, smiling at the sight of them.
“She’s amazing,” Mia replies, her eyes shining. “I’ve never met a dog like her.”
“Stormy’s been through a lot of training. She’s smart and loyal. She’ll keep you safe.”
Mia looks up at me, her expression serious but grateful. “Once again, I can’t thank you enough… For everything.”
“We’re in this together.” I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Always.”
Just then, heavy footsteps clump up from the basement stairs and startle Mia. She jumps, her eyes wide.
“Relax,” I say, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “It’s just Blake.”
Blake emerges from the basement, his exuberant energy filling the room. “Hey, you two! Welcome to Casa de Rigel. Everything’s set up downstairs. We’re locked and loaded.”
“Thanks, Blake,” I reply, feeling relieved at having him here. “Anything to report?”
“Not a peep,” Blake says, clapping his hands together. “So, I was thinking, while we wait for Mitzy’s sensors to go off, how about some popcorn and a movie? I’ve got a blockbuster lineup ready to go.”
“Movie night?” I raise an eyebrow. “Seriously, Blake? ”
“Come on, Rigel. It’s the perfect way to kill time. You gotta keep the morale up.” He grins, then turns to Mia. “What do you think, Mia? Popcorn and a movie?”
Mia’s eyes light up with excitement. “I’d love that! I haven’t had the chance to watch many American movies.”
“See? Mia’s on board.” Blake heads toward the kitchen, his voice trailing behind him. “I’ll get the popcorn started. You guys get comfy. We’ve got action, comedy, drama—you name it!”
I glance at Mia, who’s practically bouncing on her toes. “You really want to do this?”
She nods enthusiastically. “Absolutely. It sounds like fun.”
“Alright, then. Movie night it is.” I can’t help but smile at her excitement. “But just so you know, Blake’s movie taste can be—questionable.”
“Hey, I heard that!” Blake calls from the kitchen. “My movie taste is impeccable, thank you very much.”
“Sure, sure,” I reply, leading Mia to the living room. “Let’s see what he’s got lined up.”
We settle onto the couch, and Blake soon joins us with a big bowl of popcorn. “Alright, folks, tonight’s lineup includes Die Hard , The Princess Bride , and Indiana Jones . Take your pick.”
“Great choices,” Mia says, clapping her hands together. “I’ve heard of those, but I’ve never seen them.”
“You’re in for a treat,” Blake says, handing her the bowl of popcorn. “These are classics. So, what’s gonna be your first choice?”
“ Die Hard sounds interesting,” Mia decides, taking a handful of popcorn.
“Excellent choice,” Blake says, grabbing the remote. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
I glance over at Mia. Her eyes are glued to the screen. Despite the circumstances, it feels good to see her relax and enjoy herself.
As Die Hard starts, Blake can’t resist providing a running commentary. “Okay, first off, why is John McClane barefoot? I mean, come on, it’s a tactical nightmare. And the way he just walks into a building full of hostiles with no backup? That’s a death wish. ”
“It’s just a movie, Blake.” Mia chuckles, snuggling closer to me on the couch.
“Yeah, but look at that. No one clears a room like that in real life. And the whole crawling through vents thing? Not practical at all. Those vents would never support his weight.”
Despite his critiques, Blake is clearly enjoying himself, and his commentary only adds to the fun. Mia and I exchange amused glances, feeling a sense of normal that’s been missing for too long.
When Die Hard ends, Blake sets up The Princess Bride .
“Alright, time for a classic,” Blake says. “Prepare to be amazed.”
Blake quotes the famous lines as the movie plays, his enthusiasm infectious. “‘Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.’ Classic! And ‘Inconceivable!’—best line ever.”
Mia laughs, caught up in the moment and Blake’s spirited recitations. “This is great. I can’t believe I’ve never seen it before.”
Blake nods sagely. “It’s a rite of passage. And the sword fighting? Now, that’s how you choreograph a fight scene. Much better than John McClane’s cowboy antics.”
The night feels almost magical, with the three of us huddled together, sharing popcorn and enjoying each other’s company. It’s a rare moment of peace amid the chaos of our lives.
Finally, Blake cues up Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom .
“Last but not least, a bit of adventure with Dr. Jones. Get ready for some thrills.”
The opening scenes unfold, and Blake keeps up his commentary. “Okay, I’ll give them this—Indy knows how to handle himself in a fight. But seriously, who brings a whip to a gunfight?”
We’re halfway through the movie, engrossed in the action, when Stormy suddenly perks up, her ears standing straight and a low growl rumbling from her chest. She stands, staring intently at the front door.
“What’s wrong with Stormy?” Mia looks up, concerned.
“She’s alerting,” I explain, my own senses heightening in response. “She’s trained to detect intruders.”
“Intruders? Shouldn’t Mitzy’s sensors have picked up intruders?
Just then, Mitzy’s sensors go off, confirming Stormy’s instincts. An alert flashes on the screen, and the mood shifts instantly from relaxed to tense.
“Suspicious activity detected on the grounds,” Blake reads aloud, his tone suddenly serious. “No shit, Sherlock.” He glances pointedly at Stormy. “All the tech in the world, and the dog still comes out on top.”
“Mia, stay close. Blake, let’s gear up.” I spring to my feet, my heart pounding.
“A step ahead of you, brother.” Blake produces a sidearm from between the cushions of the couch.
Mia’s eyes widen with fear. “What’s happening?”
“Trouble. Stay with me.” I grab her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Stormy, protect Mia.” I give Stormy the hand signal to Protect.
Stormy positions herself in front of Mia, her stance protective and vigilant. The tranquility of our movie night shatters, replaced by the stark reality of our situation. We rush to prepare, every sense on high alert, knowing that danger is closing in.
“Damn, we didn’t even get to order that pizza.” Blake shakes his head.