Page 106 of Rescued By the Alpha SEAL
I head for the control room instead. Need to see her. Need to know she's okay.
Sloane.
The door opens with a soft hiss of hydraulics. The bank of monitors casts a blue glow across the room, but my eyes find her immediately.
She's slumped in Asa's chair, shoulders curved inward like she's trying to make herself smaller.
I've never seen her like this.
Not broken. But... diminished somehow.
Before I can speak, she's on her feet. Crosses the room in three quick strides. Her arms go around my waist, face pressing into my chest. I don't hesitate. Just pull her closer, one hand tangling in her hair.
"How's Lucia?" Her voice is muffled against my shirt.
"She's safe." I keep my tone steady. Grounding. "No physical injuries. Eli's with her now."
She nods but doesn't let go. I can feel her trembling—just slightly. Like aftershocks from an earthquake that hasn't quite finished.
When she finally pulls back, her eyes are too bright. Too sharp. "We should check on her."
"We will." I catch her hand. Squeeze once. "You okay?"
"I'm not the one who was kidnapped by a psychopath." She tries for a smile, but it wavers. "Come on. I need to see her."
We walk to medical together, her fingers still locked with mine. The hallway feels longer than usual. Every step echoes against metal and concrete.
The infirmary doors slide open to reveal Lucia on the bed, small and pale against white sheets. Eli hovers nearby, checking vitals with practiced efficiency. He barely glances up when we enter.
"How is she?"
"Stable," he says quietly. "But we need to watch for shock."
I nod. "Rosa?"
"On her way."
Sloane moves to the bedside, perching carefully on the edge of the mattress. Her hand finds Lucia's, thumb brushing across small knuckles. The girl doesn't respond, but her breathing evens out slightly.
I stand behind Sloane, one hand resting on her shoulder. Not possessive. Just present. Connected.
The door bursts open.
Rosa Calderon flies in like a storm breaking, all contained fury and desperate love. "Mi hija! Lucia!"
Eli intercepts her before she can grab the girl. "Easy," he murmurs. "She's okay. She's safe. But we need to be calm."
Rosa's eyes are wild, but she nods. Takes a deep breath. Approaches the bed with careful steps.
"Mami?" Lucia's voice is small. Fragile.
"I'm here, baby. I'm right here."
Sloane stands, making room. But I catch the way her shoulders hunch. The guilt radiating off her in waves.
I know that look. That stance.
She's blaming herself.
