Page 57 of Rescued By the Alpha SEAL
"What?" Caleb's voice rises, disbelief mingling with anger. "That's insane! How do you know?"
"I just left Crosspoint." My heart pounds against my ribs like it's trying to escape. "He was waiting for me there. When I refused to comply with him, he made it clear he knows about her—uses her as leverage."
The revelation hits them like a physical blow. Caleb starts pacing, his usual smooth movements sharp with agitation. Knox's hand drops to his sidearm—an unconscious tell that speaks volumes. Ryker's jaw clenches so hard I can almost hear his teeth grind.
"Thomas Granger?" Eli asks softly, the name carrying weight. "The one who..."
"Shot us?" I finish for him. "Yeah. That Granger."
The memory flashes hot and bright: sand in my mouth, blood on my hands, the sound of shots echoing across the desert. The look in Granger's eyes as he pulled the trigger—not hatred, not anger. Just... duty.
"He should be dead," Knox growls. "Or in prison."
"He's neither." My voice sounds hollow even to my own ears. "He's got resources. Military backing. And he's not here for revenge—he's here to clean up loose ends."
"Loose ends?" Asa's fingers fly across his keyboard, pulling up security feeds. "You mean Sloane?"
"She found something." I move to the tactical table, spreading my hands on the cool surface. "Something connected to Echo-13. Something worth killing for."
The implications settle over us like a heavy snowfall. Each man processes it differently—I can see the gears turning, the strategies forming. We've been running drills for years, preparing for threats both real and imagined.
But this? This is personal.
"Listen," I say, raising a hand to quiet their mounting questions. "We can come up with a plan, but I need to find Sloane first. I can't let Granger use her."
Knox's expression shifts, concern washing over his features. "Wait—where is she? We haven't seen her since before the meeting."
A sharp jolt of panic shoots through my chest. "What do you mean?"
Caleb exchanges a worried glance with Eli. "She excused herself just before we started."
"Damn it." The curse slips out as adrenaline floods my system. Every tactical instinct screamsdanger.
Because I know Sloane. I know how her mind works. If she's alone with her thoughts, with her drive to uncover truth no matter the cost...
She'll dig.
And what she finds might get her killed.
I don't wait for their responses. Don't stop to explain. I just move—fast and focused, years of training taking over as I sprint through The Forge's halls and storming into every door.
I burst through the self-defense room door, boots squeaking against polished wood. Rosa and Lucia glance up from their task, expandable batons glinting under the fluorescent lights as they clean them.
"Logan?" Rosa's hands still on the metal. Her eyes track my movements, reading the tension in my frame. "You look like hell just broke loose."
"Sloane." The name comes out sharp, clipped. "Anyone seen her?"
Lucia drops her cleaning cloth. "Is she in trouble?"
"Maybe."Probably. "Need to find her. Now."
Rosa's already on her feet, mother's instinct kicking in. "We'll help search." She touches Lucia's shoulder. "East wing?"
"On it." Lucia bolts ahead, ponytail swinging, moving with that fierce energy that reminds me too much of her mother.
"I'll take south."
I sprint through the facility, slamming each door open, scanning every shadow. My heart pounds against my ribs as I check another empty room, then another.
