MAN, I WAS FUCKING TIRED. Thirteen hours by plane, including a redeye and a layover in Miami, and our airplane finally touched down at the Queen Beatrix airport, Aruba at sunrise. Had this been Annie’s last sight before she had been taken? Her desire to photograph its beauty had cost Annie her freedom. Today, I would liberate her. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face once I’d saved her, hold her, and tell her she was free. All the training I’d gone through in my life had prepared me for this mission. The excitement, the adrenaline, and the high of completing a mission were indescribable. But liberating Annie would be the biggest reward of all.

Vic, Kyle, and I left the airport and headed to the private dock to stow our gear on our yacht rental.

We made our way through the maze of scuba tours, glass bottom boats, and moonlit cruises. A middle-aged bearded guy with a ponytail and a beer belly met us at the dock, dangling the keys.

“You must be Dave.” Kyle shook his hand, and Vic and I followed suit.

“Nice to meet you. The Cleito is all cleaned up and ready for you.”

I glanced at Vic and Kyle. The Cleito. In Plato’s myth of Atlantis, Cleito bore Poseidon ten sons. An obscure Navy SEAL trident reference, but we all understood the significance of the name instantly.

“And I secured you the weapons you wanted.”

“We appreciate it.” We couldn’t bring our own weapons and check them on a commercial airplane.

Dave handed me the keys and narrowed his eyes toward me. “So, what are your plans? I know some great scuba spots.”

I placed the keys in my pocket. “Thanks, man. Just wanted the guns in case we encounter any pirates. We’re just going to relax, go fishing, and snorkel.”

Dave glanced at our sea bags, which concealed our night-ops equipment. He was no dummy, a former old school Frogman. He probably sensed we were planning something other than checking out the local tropical fish. “Well, I’m happy to show you around. Anything you need.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Please, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“We will.” I eyed Kyle, who nodded toward me. We could trust this man. Any BUD/S class, any trident. He was one of us. Basically fucking family.

“Well, let me give you a tour.” He led us on the boat. It was no luxury yacht by any means, but it would suit our needs well. Downstairs there was a small galley, upstairs there were two cabins—one with two narrow bunks and one with a queen, a head, and a tiny living area. And a small area to relax up on the top deck. I gave Kyle the keys and he fiddled around with the controls.

We spent the rest of the day stocking up the yacht with food, drinks, and supplies. I’d bought Annie clothes, shoes, toiletries, magazines, books, and a small duffle bag so she wouldn’t have to go to the embassy empty handed. Wasn’t sure what she was into, but I figured anything, which could keep her mind off drugs and what she’d been through would be a good bet. I hadn’t a clue how long she’d be kept at the embassy, so I wanted to take care of her, even if I couldn’t be there.

Hours later, the sun had finally set. We cleaned, loaded, and concealed our weapons.

We’d gone over the layout from the diagram I’d sketched when I returned from the brothel that night. We weren’t too worried about smuggling her out. The plan was to head over to the brothel at night, posing as clients. Once I was inside the room with Annie, Kyle and Vic would take down the pimp until I smuggled her out of there. We weren’t going to use force unless necessary.

After we rescued her, we were going to take her to the embassy. The full plan should take us three days tops.

I was ready to give Annie her life back.

Kyle stood up. “Let’s do this!”

Operation Rumpelstiltskin was ready to go down.

We’d all dressed casually. I had no fear—this was more like a training exercise than a mission.

Nothing could go wrong.

We walked through the back alleys of Aruba. A rush pulsed through my body. In less than an hour, Annie’s nightmare would be over and a whole new world would begin.

Five blocks away—the cool night breeze blew across my face. I was so close to Annie, I could taste her. Knowing we were breathing the same air, and we were minutes away from seeing each other again sent tingles through my body.

Four blocks away—every step brought me closer to her. The town was unusually quiet; I could almost hear my heart beat in my chest.

Three blocks away—Kyle turned and nodded toward me. A silent confirmation that we would be successful. He had no doubts of our abilities, our plan.

Two blocks away—my palms sweaty. Something seemed off. Usually by the time I reached this street, I could already see her pimp scouting for johns. But the streets were hauntingly empty.

One block away—my chest clenched. A distant smell of smoke wafted through my nostrils. My breathing became labored.

When at last we turned onto the street, my jaw tightened. The brothel was nowhere in sight—instead, ashes were strewn across the ground, burnt mattresses collapsed in the street, a lone teddy bear tattered in the rubble.

It was gone—she was gone.

I’d failed her.

Vic put his arm around my shoulder. “You sure this is the place?”

“Positive.”

Kyle sifted through the embers, eyes focused. “I’m sure she’s alive and they just moved her. Buildings down in these parts have a way of mysteriously catching on fire.”

Tears rimmed my eyelids and I could feel the pulse in my throat. I scooped up the teddy bear from the ground, remembering that it looked like the one I’d seen in Annie’s room the first night I met her.

A man walked by wearing a watch which looked like the one I’d given the pimp.

I ran and shoved him against the next building. “Where did you get that fucking watch?”

He quivered. My hands clasped his throat and he let out a croak.

“Where is she, you motherfucker? Where did you take her? Tell me before I fucking snap your neck!”

His hands flailed in the air. “I don’t know—I don’t know what you are talking about. A man sold me this watch.”

He quivered, and once I got a closer look, I realized it wasn’t my watch.

Vic and Kyle dashed after me, pulling me off the man.

I stood back. “Get the fuck out of here.” He scurried down the street.

Vic stood in my personal space and made strong eye contact. “Pat, we’ll find her.”

I backed away from them, and started back into town.

If she were still alive, I would find her. Annie had survived this long. I prayed she wouldn’t give up, because I would scour every corner of this Earth until I found her. Nothing would stop me. Not even my job—I’d fucking take extra leave from my Team.