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“Looks like a warehouse in town that’s close to the lake,and I can’t figure out why he’d list that address unless he had access to it somehow. So be careful, Logan.”

A warehouse on the harbor that’s probably abandoned.Of course.No one goes down there since they no longer use that port. Now it’s a place that’s isolated, a place where no one would hear Ryder cry for help. Dread pools in my stomach, but so does a tiny flash of hope because this must be where Kyle took him.

“Send me the address,” I demand.

“Logan,” Matt protests. “Man, I know what you’re thinking?—”

“I have to go, Matt. If the cops won’t take this seriously, I will. I have to. I love him. I can’t let him spend another minute longer than he has to be trapped with Kyle. I can’t, please.”

“You were just stabbed and you’re in the hospital, you’re not invincible, Logan.”

“I appreciate your help in all of this, but there’s nothing you can say that’ll change my mind,” I confirm. “Please, please send me the address. I need it.”

Another person who actually gives a shit about me and my safety, and I’m snapping at them like an asshole. At this rate, I’m going to owe everyone in my life a stack of apology cards once Ryder is back in my arms. But right now, I don’t fucking care. How can I care about my safety when I don’t know what condition Ryder is in? I want to set the whole goddamn world on fire for him and I will tear through every roadblock, every hesitation, and every bureaucratic bullshit excuse until I find him.

And I will.

Nothing will stop me.

I have to get to him, and if no one is going to help me, I have to do it myself.

Matt is silent for a long moment. Then, finally, he exhales. “I’m texting you the address. But Logan, don’t be a dumbass, okay? You can’t help him if you’re dead.”

I hang up before he can say anything else.

29

RYDER

“Get in the shower.”

Kyle’s voice is firm and has an edge to it. I can hear his patience fraying even though I’ve done everything he’s asked since he demanded I read him that book.

I need to stay alive, so I’ve been cooperating.

Stripping out of my clothes in front of Kyle makes me more uncomfortable than anything that’s happened up to this moment. Every one of my instincts screams at me not to do it, even though I desperately want a shower. I know better than to think he’ll leave me alone to rinse off in private.

The thought of being naked anywhere near him makes me feel exposed in a way I’m not prepared for because it’s a reminder that my autonomy is gone.

“Ryder,” he says again. “I won’t say it twice. I’m trying to help you here. I’m being nice and giving you what you want.”

I swallow hard, knowing I don’t have a choice because I’m a prisoner who can’t fight or resist at this moment. After Iread to him, he let me walk around the confined space freely, but I know he’s only testing me.

It’s also probably because the door is padlocked from the inside, and I haven’t seen a key anywhere. He obviously locked us in when he first brought us here, and I was still unconscious, but at some point, he’ll need to leave. At some point, we’ll run out of food or supplies, or he’ll get called into the station, and then I can try to find my escape.

I have to be smart, and this isn’t the time to make my move yet, which leaves me with only one option at the moment.

Slowly, I move toward the shower. Kyle follows close behind me, and I can feel his breath against the back of my neck. My shoulders involuntarily hunch up to try to protect myself.

“Turn it on,” he instructs.

I reach out and twist the barely working knob of the shower. The pipes groan, and the water comes out brown at first, and I can’t help but gag. The repulsion is too much, but after a few seconds, the water runs clear and steam rises, which is a silver lining if there ever was one.At least I won’t have to take a cold shower.

I stare at the water, but feel his gaze burning a hole in the back of my head. It feels like he’s undressing me without even touching me.

“Strip.”

I reach for the hem of my shirt with shaking hands. My fingers tremble as I pull it over my head, and Kyle’s eyes darken at the sight.