Dakota’s gentle hand on my shoulder jolts me. “Heyyyy, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I spin and throw my arms around her, grateful someone I trust has materialized for an unexpected hug.
“You’re shaking like a leaf. What’s going on? Lutris is on fire with gossip—”
“The people who took Finan—they’ve sent a message. A video. Livestream—it was broadcast all over the network, but then they—Len, one of his guys—cut the feed,” I say, my words tangling as I gulp for air, trying not to hyperventilate. Dakota’s face blanches. “They’ve beaten him, Dakota. He looks …”
She hugs me again, vigorously rubbing my back as if she’s trying to infuse me with courage. She eases one step away and looks down at the phone in my hand. I quickly tuck it into my back pocket. It’s obviously not the same mak
