The drive feels endless.
Ryker keeps one hand on the wheel, the other gripping his phone. Every few minutes he texts Kai.
Any change?
No new attacks. No movement. Elena hasn’t woken up.
Each update twists the knife deeper.
Midnight passes. The dashboard clock clicks to 12:01.
Two more days.
That’s what he should be whispering to her right now.
Not driving across the state to hunt down the man who tried to take her from him.
Lira’s voice cuts through his thoughts. “Ryker, we’re about an hour away.”
He nods, jaw tight.
Lira studies him. “I get that Elena is special. But Marcus couldn’t have honestly thought this would go unanswered. What was the point of all this?”
“I don’t know,” Ryker says, fists tightening until his knuckles go white. “But I’m going to find out.”
They park te
