Page 74 of Stolen Hearts

The conference room that was rarely used by the team had been upgraded to Denver’s specs over the past few days by Carson as an enticement to get Denver to stay. Now it felt like the nerve center of a black ops compound. Whiteboards, monitors and computer systems filled the space.

He pointed to the big screen, but Oaks was already on it, and the footage of Justin stuffing Rhae into the back of the SUV appeared.

Denver took a deep breath and let the leadership settle into his bones. This was the moment to organize, to pull the team together. They needed direction.

They needed to save the woman he loved.

“Colt’s still fifteen minutes out,” Theo informed him.

“Tell him to get to the edge of Willowbrook and be on the lookout for a black SUV.”

Theo looked up from his phone. “How do you know where they’re headed?”

“Anybody with a brain is going to get out of town fast. The mountains block easy access to the west. That means they’re probably headed east.”

With a nod, Theo thumbed the command to their brother.

Denver firmed his jaw. “She’s been taken. Drugged, forced into a vehicle by a man calling himself Justin. Oaks? The therapy program is your brainchild. I want everything you’ve got on the man. My bet is that he isn’t a veteran. He’s a plant.”

“On it.”

“We have to assume this was premeditated. Willow?”

“Here.”

“Find out who the last person who had therapy with Rhae was. Question them to see if they saw Justin heading to her office.”

She passed the baby to Honor and whirled toward the door without a word.

“We’ve already pulled video. We’ll get plates. We’ll run them. But I want digital trails too. Oaks, you’re on tech. Start analyzing his intake file and run his facial ID through the program. Find out who he really is.”

“Copy that.”

“Gray, Theo, you’re with me. When we make our move, it’s going to be fast.”

“Copy,” they each echoed.

At that moment, Layne and Shiloh rushed into the room, clinging to each other’s hands as if they might disappear too.

“What can we do to help?” Shiloh asked.

Honor looked up from the fussy baby she was cradling in her arms. “I could use a bottle for Navy.”

“I’ll go.” Layne was already turning for the kitchen before the words were out of her mouth.

With his daughter well cared for, Denver pulled out his phone and dialed a secure line. It rang twice before someone answered.

“Dante here.”

Denver’s gut knotted at the familiar sound of Dante’s voice. His brother-in-arms. He missed the son of a bitch so much. Missed them all. But that was for another time.

“It’s me.”

There was a beat of silence.

“I need help.” Denver’s voice cracked.

“With what?” Dante asked without hesitation.

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