*Ryder*
The sun still hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows across the dirt road as we drive toward town. The air inside the truck is charged with anticipation, and I can feel Theo’s energy buzzing beside me. He’s been quiet all morning, but I know he’s got something up his sleeve… he always does. We are going to meet up with some contact he has here in Texas, someone who might be able to help us track down Viktor.
As we approach the gate, I slow down, rolling my window down. The guard, a burly guy with a thick beard, steps forward, squinting against the sunlight. “Morning, Ryder. Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, but I want to up the security while I am away. Increase the patrols and station two guards by the house,” I reply, my voice steady. “We can’t afford any slip-ups, not after
