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Tears partially blur my vision, and all I can do is nod. Ryker releases me and gets to his feet. He withdraws his weapon then pulls me up.

“Go, Dahlia,” he says, then starts around to the other side of his truck, disappearing from view. “You know, this was paid off.” His tone is sharper now, agitated.

“You should have stayed out of a fight that wasn’t yours, SEAL,” another man says. My heart rate kicks up, pulse hammering in my ears.

Please, God, let him be okay. Please, Lord. Strengthen us.

A man grunts somewhere behind me, and I move faster, limping into the trees.

“Hey! Stop!” someone yells behind me, but I keep going, tears streaming down my face.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need,” I whimper. “He lets me rest in green meadows and leads me beside peaceful streams.”

“Stop!” a man yells.

But I keep moving. Shoving branches out of my way as I go.

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” I say again. “Please, God. I know You are there. Please help us.”

Chapter 19

Ryker

The pounding in my head only fuels the rage burning in my veins as I search the two bodies currently lying near my truck.

Hired muscle—that’s what they are.

And given the black suits that are all too similar to the one José was wearing back at Pine Meadow? I’m betting he sent them after us when we left. It wouldn’t have been hard for them to guess where we were going. After all, they likely ran my name and discovered my ties to Stormwatch Landing.

After discovering a series of blades, a garrote, and two different guns on each body, I wipe my prints from them and shove them into the tactical backpack I keep in my truck for occasions just like this.

I also grab their IDs, crush their cell phones, and retrieve Dahlia’s bag from the wreckage. Then, I dial up Zane.

“Hey, Tank, what’s⁠—”

“We were run off the road. Truck is totaled, two attackers. I sent Dahlia into the woods to hide, so I’m headed to get her now.”

“Where?” The friendliness of his tone is gone.

“Track my cell. Once I find her, we’ll keep moving just in case they realize these two aren’t coming back. I’ll stay close to the road, so let me know when you’re near.”

“On it. Stay alive. We’re coming for you.”

“We need to get Mrs. Marooney out ASAP. It’s entirely possible they’re going to try and finish her tonight, too.”

Zane is quiet for a moment. “Garrison, Sawyer, and Weston will go in for her. I’ll come get you.”

“There might be more out here with us.”

“Then I’ll grab Mav on my way. Keep moving. We’ll be there soon.” The call ends, so I stick my cell back into my pocket and scan the tree line.

Dahlia is nowhere to be seen, which is both good and bad.

I slip into the trees, bags on my back, weapon in hand.

My body aches, muscles twisted from the wreck, but I’ve faced—and survived—far worse. It’s Dahlia I’m worried about. She’d been out of it, unconscious long enough that I’d gotten out and around the truck before she’d realized I was gone.

The blood on her face and the redness of her right eye have me concerned, but there’s nothing I can do right now except keep her alive. And to do that—I have to find her.