Page 76 of Beckett

“Because the hunt is part of it,” Aiden said. “The fear, the isolation, making her run—that’s what he enjoys. If he wanted her dead or captured, he’s had dozens of opportunities.”

“He wants her to suffer,” I said, the realization hitting like cold water. “Taking her would end the game. But letting her run, letting her think she’s escaped, only to find her again—that’s the point.”

“Sadistic bastard,” Coop muttered.

“So he’s around the area somewhere,” I continued. “He may not know she’s at Pawsitive. He may have just been watching the town. Let’s assume he found her from that picture that was posted on the Draper’s Tavern social media.”

“Which wouldn’t have been difficult if he has a program set up that checks social media for her image,” Travis said. “It would be a hassle to develop, but definitely doable.”

I started pacing. This made sense. “So he knows she’s in Garnet Bend but doesn’t know where.”

“The note was just the start,” Hunter said. “When she doesn’t leave, he’ll escalate to violence.”

“But he doesn’t know about us,” Aiden pointed out. “Doesn’t know she has protection now.”

“Let’s keep it that way,” Hunter said. “Travis, keep your searches subtle. Don’t trigger any alerts that might tip him off, in case he really is technologically smart.”

“Roger that. My kung fu is strong.”

I barely refrained from rolling my eyes.

“All right,” Hunter said finally. “We have a plan. Coop, you’re on watch starting now. Aiden, grocery store at dawn. Travis, keep digging. Beck, get some rest—you’re no good to her worn out.”

The room fell quiet for a moment, everyone processing, planning. These men had dropped everything in the middle of the night because I’d called. No questions, no hesitation, just immediate response.

“You’re too close to this,” Hunter said, his green eyes locked on mine. “Emotionally involved.”

“I know.”

“It’ll affect your judgment.”

“I know.”

“You don’t care.”

“Not even a little bit.”

Hunter studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “Fair enough. Just remember that keeping her safe is the priority. Not revenge.”

“Keeping her safe is revenge,” I said flatly. “Every day this bastard doesn’t get to hurt her again is a victory. Every night she sleeps without running is me spitting in his face.”

“That’s a dangerous mind-set,” Aiden observed.

“It’s the only mind-set.” I met each of their eyes in turn. “This isn’t a standard protection detail. This is personal. Someone hunted her for thirteen months. Branded her like cattle. Made her believe she was poison to anyone who showed her kindness.”

My voice had gotten harder with each word, cold rage crystallizing into something sharper.

“He made her afraid to accept help. Afraid to trust anyone. Afraid to stop moving long enough to even grieve her brother properly.” I stood, unable to sit still any longer. “So yeah, I’m emotionally involved and fuckingpissed. I’m going to use that. Every bit of rage, every protective instinct, every tactical skill we’ve learned—I’m going to use it all to end this.”

“We,” Hunter corrected quietly. “We’regoing to end this.”

That was for fucking sure.

Chapter 25

Beckett

Dawn bled across the Montana sky in shades of purple and ash, the kind of light that made the world look breakable. We stood outside the kennels at Pawsitive Connections, the morning air brisk and clean. Audra swayed slightly on her feet, and I fought the urge to steady her. She looked destroyed—hollowed out by fatigue, her skin translucent in the weak light, dark bruises beneath her eyes like someone had pressed their thumbs there and left marks.