Page 105 of Rescued By the Alpha SEAL

He touched one of ours.

The engine growls as I accelerate, taking the curves with practiced precision.

In the rearview mirror, I catch glimpses of the second vehicle—Caleb at the wheel.

They found nothing at the northern grid. No tracks. No shell casings. No breadcrumbs leading back to wherever Granger's actually hiding.

He's too good for that. Always was.

But everyone slips eventually.

My comm crackles. Caleb's voice cuts through: "I've informed Rosa. She's on her way."

"Copy."

Silence.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Caleb continues.

"About the warehouse layout?" I keep my voice low, conscious of Lucia dozing against Knox. "Three exit points. No cameras. Perfect dump site."

"Too perfect," Ryker adds. "Like he wanted us to find it fast."

"Of course he did," I mutter. "It was never about her. She was just..."

I don't finish. Don't need to.

We all know what she was.

Leverage.

The word tastes like ash in my mouth.

The Forge comes into view—steel and stone rising from the treeline like a sentinel. Like home. But even that feels different now. Tainted.

Granger's made sure nowhere feels safe anymore.

I pull into the main lot, tires crunching on gravel.

Before I can kill the engine, Knox is already moving, lifting Lucia with the kind of gentle strength you wouldn't expect from a man his size. She doesn't stir.

"Get her to medical," I say. "I'll brief Asa."

Knox nods once—sharp, efficient.

No wasted motion. No wasted words. That's why he's my overwatch. He sees everything, says nothing, and moves like shadow.

I watch them disappear through the side entrance, then turn to the others. "Anything worth reporting?"

Caleb runs a hand through his hair, somehow still managing that cocky grin despite everything. But it doesn't reach his eyes. "Found some interesting boot prints by the north ridge. Military grade. About a week old."

"He's been watching," Ryker adds. "Playing longer game than we thought."

Eli steps forward, med kit slung over his shoulder. "We should focus on Lucia first. She's physically unharmed, but the psychological impact..."

"I know." My jaw clenches. "Get her stable. Then we deal with the rest."

They move off toward medical, already discussing treatment protocols and trauma response.