Page 58 of Carter
My jaw locked, fury curling hot through my veins. I leaned forward, my voice a lethal whisper. “Say Redwood one more time, and I’ll make sure you don’t have a tongue left to use.”
His smirk faded, and the silence returned.
I sat back, eyes fixed on him, the storm inside steadying. Because dawn was coming. And when it did, we’d move him, break him, and tear his whole world down.
And through it all, Harper would be safe. Because I wasn’t giving the universe another option.
87
Carter
The hours dragged, the kind of long, heavy silence that seeped into your bones. Sable sat in his chair, eyes half-lidded but sharp, like a snake waiting for the chance to strike. I didn’t let mine leave him for more than a second.
But the truth was, my thoughts weren’t on him.
They were on her.
Behind the closed door down the hall, Harper was trying to rest. Trying to pretend the world wasn’t circling her name like wolves. I pictured her curled beneath the blanket, my shirt hanging loose on her frame, her hair spilling across the pillow. And the ache that hit me was worse than any bullet I’d ever taken.
She deserved better than this. Better than nights spent waiting to see if I came back, better than men who used her as leverage in games she never asked to play.
But she chose me. She looked me in the eye and saidtogether.And God help me, I’d die before I let anyone take that from us.
Sable shifted in his chair, chains clinking. “You can’t keepyour eyes on me and her at the same time, soldier. That’s your weakness. Redwood will exploit it.”
I tightened my grip on the rifle, the urge to shut him up with lead burning hot. But I didn’t move. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
Instead, I leaned forward, my voice calm but sharp as a blade. “You don’t know a damn thing about me. Or her. You’ve got power because people let you scare them. That ends here. You don’t scare her. And you sure as hell don’t scare me.”
For the first time, silence answered me. No smirk. No taunt. Just quiet.
I let it settle, my eyes drifting to the faint light beginning to edge the horizon outside. Dawn was coming. Soon we’d move him. Soon this game of shadows would shift.
And as I sat there, rifle steady, the only vow that mattered anchored itself deeper in my chest:
I’d burn Redwood to the ground if that’s what it took.
For Harper. Always for her.
88
Carter
The first light of dawn bled across the horizon, pale streaks cutting through the fog that clung to the cabin. My body was wound tight, every nerve wired from hours of holding steady, but fatigue never touched me. Not when Harper’s life was on the line.
River emerged from the back room, his face shadowed, his movements clipped. He gave me a nod, eyes flicking to Sable still bound in the chair. “No trouble?”
“None,” I muttered. “He knows better.”
Sable shifted against the restraints, his mouth twitching like he wanted to taunt me again. But for once, he stayed quiet. Smart choice.
Gideon closed his laptop, shoving it into his pack. “I’ve got enough to trace at least three of his accounts. Redwood’s real, Carter. The money trails don’t lie.”
Cyclone came through the door, cold air spilling in with him. “Perimeter’s clear. SUV’s ready.” His gaze cut to Sable, his lip curling. “Let’s move this trash.”
I stood, rifle in hand, my body blocking Harper’s doorway as she stepped out. Her hair was tousled, her facepale from too little sleep, but her eyes—God, her eyes were steady. Brave. She didn’t ask me to stay. She didn’t beg me not to go. She just met my gaze, silent strength passing between us.
I brushed a hand against hers as I passed, a touch quick and fierce, before moving back to the prisoner.
