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The finality in his voice sent ice through my veins.
I stepped forward, pulse hammering. “Where is he?”
Ryker exhaled hard, like he was already regretting this conversation. “North Charleston. Near the base.”
I froze. Near the base.
Joint Base Charleston. Military presence. And if Marcus was out there, if Ryker was trying this hard to keep me from asking questions, it wasn’t just some abandoned warehouse.
It was something worse.
Something designed for men like Marcus.
Ryker must have seen the realization dawn in my eyes because his expression darkened. “Don’t do this, Claire.”
A warning. A command.
I ignored both. “He took that kid, didn’t he?”
Ryker’s jaw tightened.
I took another step closer. “Didn’t he?”
His hands curled into fists at his sides. “You don’t get it. That kid is not innocent in this.”
“He’s also not Diego’s killer.” My voice rose, frustration clawing at my throat. “You don’t know that he did anything more than watch.”
Ryker scoffed. “Then he watched your friend die and did nothing. That doesn’t deserve a little incentive to talk?”
I clenched my teeth, breathing hard.
Marcus wasn’t just trying to get answers. He was punishing this guy. Maybe for Diego. Maybe for me. Maybe just because he needed to hurt someone.
And Ryker wasn’t going to help me stop him.
I swallowed, switching tactics. “If this were Izzy?”
Ryker’s expression barely flickered.
I pressed on. “If Izzy had lost her best friend—to someone you knew was guilty, but you couldn’t prove it yet? If she was grieving, lost, drowning in it?” I held his gaze, unwavering. “And she asked you to find the person responsible? Would you stop?”
Ryker’s jaw ticked.
“Would you stop, Ryker?” I repeated, quieter, more dangerous.
His nostrils flared.
“No,” he admitted finally, voice low and rough. “I’d hunt them down.” His gaze turned sharp, somethingdangerous flickering behind his dark eyes. “I’d take my time. Make them feel it. Make them beg to tell me what I wanted to know.”
I swallowed hard.
“So don’t stand there acting like you don’t understand why he’s doing this,” Ryker said, stepping closer. “Because you do.”
I did. And that was the problem.
I knew Marcus wasn’t just looking for answers. He was looking for retribution. And that meant he wasn’t coming back until he got it.
Unless I stopped him first.