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We turn to leave, but Susie stops me with a hand on my arm. “Honey, if you need anything⁠—”

“I’ll call.”

“Good.”

“I don’t have my cell phone right now, but the plan is to go get me a replacement. First, I have to go get another ID, though, so I’m not sure how long that will take.”

“No worries at all. Just call when you can.”

“You can reach her at my number, too,” Ryker offers.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Granger.”

“Just Ryker,” he corrects. “And you’re welcome.”

As we move back across the hall and slip into my apartment once more, the hollowness in my chest has expanded. We’re no closer to answers, and the sick jealousy in my gut is too much to handle.

I shouldn’t feel jealous.

I should be happy.

I know that.

But I can’t help the heaviness settling over me.

“What is it?”

I turn toward Ryker, his deep voice pulling me right out of my self-pity as I’m reminded I’m not here alone. “Huh? Nothing.”

His gaze narrows, and he moves in closer. “If you want my help, you will not lie to me. I won’t tolerate mistruths, half-truths, or any other twisted version you try to feed me.”

There’s an anger simmering in his tone, and his expression is one of distrust.

“Look, it’s just personal, okay? I don’t date a lot, and now I can’t even remember the one I went on. I wanted a family, too, you know? A husband and kids. The white picket fence and the Golden Retriever.”

Ryker’s expression instantly softens. “A Golden Retriever, huh? I’m more partial to German Shepherds.”

I smile. Well, kind of, anyway. At the very least, some of the heaviness eases. “Yeah, well, I’m not particular about the breed. I just don’t want to be alone the rest of my life.”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

“No, I get it. We’re working together, and you need honesty. So, there’s my honesty. I’m alone, sad, and probably never going to find someone.”

“Then all men are idiots. Go pack a bag, and let’s see about getting you a new ID. Then we can start retracing your steps. I want you to walk me through your typical routine.”

I swallow hard as I watch him move back toward my door like he owns the place.

Then all men are idiots.

I know that it’s silly—I mean, he’s only trying to be kind—but hearing him say that boosts my confidence just enough to walk out the door after him, bag packed and my head held a little higher.

Chapter 13

Ryker

With a temporary ID in hand, I can see that Dahlia’s mood has lifted just slightly. Using the wi-fi in my truck, she’d even been able to access her bank accounts from her laptop and cancel the cards currently in the river, while having new ones shipped to my PO box back in Stormwatch Landing.

We even managed to visit her apartment manager, who agreed to change the locks on her place and get her new keys.