“What did Agus say to you?”
“He wanted me to know what Mum had done to him.He tied me up and hit me, and I faked unconsciousness, so he left me alone long enough for me to escape.”
“Why did you bring a dog with you?”the Major-General asked.
“That was my fault,” she said.“When we escaped the house, the dogs chased us.Trixie—” she cleared her throat.“The dog entered the water and kept following the boat.She was hit by debris and I couldn’t let her drown.I used an oar to rescue her.”
“Sergeant Dobson didn’t stop you?”
She glared at the colonel.“He wouldn’t have dared.I was feeling particularly emotional.I would have hit him with the oar if he’d tried.”She didn’t flinch as she lied.
“It sounds as if you’ve had quite a day,” the Major-General said.
“Yes.”It was time to get to the point.“I enabled your team to rescue the hostage before the tsunami hit, led them to the medical supplies to help Ethan, and then cleared the extraction point so they could get away.Damien rescued me, thereby ensuring you didn’t need to risk any more people’s lives trying to extract me and saving you time.He deserves a medal not a dishonourable discharge.”She met each man’s gaze in a subtle challenge.
The Major-General smiled.“You remind me of your mother.We’ll take your suggestion under advisement.”
Hope filled her chest.
“You may go now,” the Major said.
Mila nodded and left the room.
***
Dobby stood with Jared outside the room where the corporal had taken Mila, his heart beating rapidly.Though her outrage had been magnificent, he’d worried she would say the wrong thing and make things worse.
He needn’t have worried.She’d been calm, rational and persuasive, knowing exactly what to say to paint him in the best light.
And the picture she’d painted of him wasn’t one he recognised, but the only thing she’d lied about was how the dog ended up on the boat.
Could he live up to the man she thought he was?
Jared poked him as Mila made her closing statement.“She’s just saved your arse.”
He nodded.“She’s amazing.”Was this proof she cared for him as much as he cared for her?Or was it simply her selfless nature and sense of injustice coming into play?
“Obviously learnt a lot from Mum and Dad about influencing people,” Jared murmured back with a smile.
Dobby stepped back as the corporal led Mila out of the room.Her face flushed when she saw him there.
“Were you eavesdropping?”
“Sure was, sweetheart.”He fell into step with her.“Thank you.”
She nodded.“They can’t possibly suggest your actions were dishonourable now.”She yawned.
It was a couple of hours until dawn.He glanced at Jared.“Has Mila got somewhere to sleep?”
“Yeah, she’s got a bunk in the guest area.I’ll take her.”
He wanted to take her himself but he wasn’t familiar with that area of the ship.They reached the rec room and he stopped.“Sleep well, sweetheart.I’ll see you later.”He wanted to hug her, or kiss her, but if the command thought she was emotionally connected to him, it would void her argument.
He stepped into the room.
Her expression was slightly hurt, but she nodded.“Good night.”She hobbled down the corridor after the corporal and her brother.
His heart ached, but he’d have time to talk about what was next for them tomorrow.
