Page 79 of Stolen Hearts

“Find anything in her office?” Gray mounted the steps.

“Her phone was on the desk.”

Gray compressed his lips. As if Denver didn’t already feel the statement to the marrow of his bones. If only Rhae had her phone, they might have a chance at finding her location.

“Any sign of the needle he stabbed her with?”

“No. He must have taken it with him.” Denver balled his hands into fists, gaze tracking across the land as if he could find her out there. Without that syringe, they had no way of knowing what Justin drugged her with.

“He took her alive, Denver. Don’t lose sight of that.”

His brothers kept telling him that, reminding him that if Justin wanted her dead, they would have found her in her office.

“I need Dante to come through with something.Anything!”

Gray rested a hand on his shoulder. His eyes fogged with empathy. “The waiting game is maddening. Believe me, I know it. When Honor’s ex took her right out from under my nose, I didn’t know how to look at myself in the mirror. I still struggle knowing I let her down.”

Denver let out a noisy breath. His throat was too tight to speak. Every second that ticked by felt like a hammer pounding into his ribs. It had been hours since Honor saw Rhae in the passenger seat of Justin’s vehicle. A lifetime since he saw the camera footage showing him that she’d been taken.

And an eternity since every cell in his body started screaming for action. Every delay in receiving the intel made him feel like he was failing her all over again.

He braced both hands on the porch post, head hanging low. “Fuck,” he muttered, barely audible.

Behind him, the screen door creaked open and closed. Footsteps that could only belong to his sister were light, like she didn’t want to spook him, but her presence centered him a little.

Willow touched his shoulder. “You need food, Denver. Something. Even just water.”

“I need Rhae,” he snapped, then instantly regretted the acid in his voice. He exhaled hard. “Sorry.”

Willow’s voice didn’t waver. “You’re not wrong. But she wouldn’t want you burning out.”

That cut deep. Rhae, with those sweet smiles that made him never want to walk away, but somehow always knowing if he didn’t return to his SEAL team, he would be shattered.

The thought didn’t make him feel better.

He rubbed his hands over his face and turned around, back against the post. His gaze landed on Willow, and she was holding Navy in her arms. The baby reached for him, her tiny fingers wiggling.

Denver’s chest cracked wide open.

He took her, clutching her to his chest, burying his face in the sweet baby scent of her hair.

“I’m gonna bring your mama home,” he whispered into her ear, voice breaking. “I promise.”

Navy gurgled and patted his cheek, innocent and trusting. That trust tore him apart.

Theo came out next, quiet and solid. The two of them locked eyes, an entire conversation passing between them without words. Theo had Denver’s six. Always had. And right now, Denver needed every ounce of backup he could get.

“Oaks is tracking a vehicle matching Justin’s make and model. Just waiting on confirmation,” Theo said quietly.

Denver nodded. Good news. A step forward. But the pressure in his chest didn’t let up. He kissed Navy one more time and handed her back to Willow.

“Make sure she gets something to eat.”

Willow’s eyes shimmered, but she nodded. “I will.” She started to turn for the door but stopped and swung back. “When you bring Rhae home, she’s going to be so proud of the father you are.”

He hoped she was alive to see it.

He turned back toward the gravel driveway, clinging to the clawing sensation in his chest. He needed the pain to focus on getting Rhae back.

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