Page 27

Like she wants me here.

I shake the thought off before it settles, before it becomes something I can't push away.

"Hope you've got another blanket, Bennett," I say, stretching out my arms, "because I think I'll be your problem for a little while longer."

Ava rolls her eyes, but there's something soft in the way she says, "Of course you will, Carter."

And I don't know what the hell to do with that.

So I do what I always do—I focus on what I can control.

Ava's still watching me, her expression unreadable, like she's trying to figure me out. I don't let her. Instead, I push off the counter, grab my phone, and dial Tyler.

"You're up early." He answers after one ring, his voice rough with sleep. "Or haven't you slept?"

"Not important," I say, pacing toward the window. "Got anything for me yet?"

A rustling sound on the other end—probably him sitting up, reaching for whatever half-dismantled gadget he fell asleep working on. "Depends. You asking if I have magic powers, or do you actually understand how tracking works?"

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Tyler."

He sighs. "Yeah, yeah. I ran the number through the usual databases. It's a burner, which means whoever sent that text isn't an idiot. If they used encryption tools, it's gonna take time to crack."

Not what I want to hear, but not unexpected.

"And if they didn't?"

"Then I'll have a location by the end of the day."

I exhale, dragging a hand through my hair. Ava shifts in my periphery, frowning slightly, but I keep my focus on the call. "Keep me posted."

"Of course." There's a beat of silence, then, "Liam… Whoever this is, don't underestimate them."

I glance at Ava, at the way she's holding her mug a little too tightly.

"I won't," I say and hang up.

Ava watches me, her green eyes narrowed. "You don't look too pleased."

I slip my phone into my pocket and lean against the counter, arms crossed. "Didn't realize I was in the business of making people feel reassured."

She gives me a flat look. "I mean it, Liam. What did Tyler say?"

"That he's working on it," I say, pushing off the counter. "That whoever sent that text isn't stupid." I pause. "That I shouldn't underestimate them."

Ava exhales slowly, nodding. "Great. That's comforting."

I can only offer her a sigh. "Told you I'm not in that business."

She doesn't argue. Instead, she leans a hip against the counter, her gaze flicking to her phone. It vibrates before she even picks it up.

Her face tightens. "Ryan."

I arch a brow. "You gonna answer?"

She presses her lips together, hesitating, then sighs and picks up. "Hey," she says, forcing a lightness into her tone.

I hear Ryan's voice on the other end, loud and easy, but I can't make out the words. Ava listens, her expression shifting from wary to mildly alarmed.