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“Just the CliffsNotes.” I lock eyes with Anissa and raise my brows to ask if the short version is enough.
She swallows. Nods.
“Was there something wrong with my first recount?” Hunt asks.
“No. I was distracted and can’t remember everything. Just repeat what happened.”
“We found the women in a house in Cente
“Save your lady stories for another time. You’ve told me all I need to know.” I disco
She glances between me and Luca, back and forth, over and over before shaking her head. “It’s only words. There’s no proof.”
“It’s on the news.” Luca pulls a cell from his shorts pocket, then types and scrolls over the screen. “Here, I’ll show you.”
I bristle when he hands her the device. As far as I’m concerned, that phone could lead to her escape. He shouldn’t be willingly handing it over. Or I’m just pissed he thought of it first. That he’s the one convincing her when I failed.
She focuses on the screen, swiping down every few seconds. “It says the perpetrator hasn’t been found.”
“He has. By us.” I cross my arms over my chest. “We dealt with him our way.”
“Your way?” She looks up at me through thick lashes. “You mean he’s dead.”
I don’t answer. If she wants to continuously judge me as ruthless, so be it. It’s not an unworthy title. It just happens to be incorrect this time.
“No. He’s not dead.” Luca holds out a hand to reclaim the device. “But he won’t think about hurting women again.”
She returns to the visual te
“He’s not dead,” I repeat. “Be satisfied with the information. It’s better for everyone involved if you don’t know more.”
She deflates, her shoulders and chest falling in defeat before she walks back into the house without a backward glance.
Luca watches her leave, his focus remaining on the door after she disappears behind the sheer curtains. For a man who doesn’t give a shit about anything but work, he sure likes to pay her attention.
“You need to give her more information,” he murmurs. “She doesn’t believe one word you tell her.” He turns to me, his face stern. “Whatever this tactic is, it’s not working, and we’re ru
“Back the fuck off,” I warn. “I didn’t bring you here as a strategist. Or a fucking therapist. Now move.” He blocks my way from between the two loungers.
“Okay, but—”
“Don’t fucking but me.” I take a menacing step forward and get in his face. “Lay off or find yourself on the next flight out of here.”
He straightens, not listening to the threat. “You’re spiraling out of control. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with you and her, but this isn’t you.”
A rush of blood floods my head, the surge of rage intense and entirely overwhelming.
I shove him, making him back up a step. The guy is bigger than me. Broader. An inch taller. More muscles.
I don’t give a fuck.
I push again, and this time he begins to move a second before my hands co
“I don’t know why you’re looking for a fight,” he continues to back up, moving out of the way. “But you’re not going to find it with me.”
I snicker. “You’re scared?”
“Torian, I’m a fucking SEAL. You don’t stand a chance.”
“You were a fucking SEAL. You were dishonorably discharged, asshole.”
His mouth snaps shut. His jaw clenches.
The show of barely restrained anger acts like adrenaline in my veins. It eases the unrelenting pressure. It gets her out of my brain for the briefest seconds, providing a slight reprieve.
“I respect you,” he seethes. “And I’ve vowed to work by your side, not under your fists.”
I continue stalking forward, praying for him to take the first swing. I’m not a fighter. Never have been. Not physically. But for once, I need the distraction. I want the pain and brutality. “You’re a fucking pussy.”
“No.” He stops dead, his eyes narrowed. “I’ve got self-fucking-control, and usually you do, too. Hit the weights room instead.”
I shove him again. Hard.
I need an outlet. I have to find a way to get Anissa out of my system.
“Hit the fucking weights room, Torian.” He puffs out his chest, waiting for another shove. “Do you want to be like this when your father shows? Is that what you’re looking for? An excuse to fuck this up?”
Everything stops. My thoughts. My pulse.
The chase for numbing adrenaline becomes a brutal war.
It wouldn’t be the first time I’d made a mistake when it came to my father.
It’s my fault he was arrested at the funeral in the first place.
I should’ve realized my FBI informant was hiding information from me. I should’ve known they had enough evidence to make an arrest.
“Is that what you’re trying to do?” Luca’s brows pinch with stern inquisition. “You’re looking for a way out? You know you don’t have to do this. Not now. We can go home, wait it out, and come back when you’re ready”
“Shut your fucking mouth.”
He’s judging me. Finding me lacking. Just like she does.
I’m not incapable of taking care of business. And that’s all this is. Business. A righting of wrongs.
My father was once an asset, and now he’s a liability. I can’t look at this any other way.
“Get out of my face.” I take another step, our chests almost brushing as I scowl. “And stay out of my fucking head or you’ll find yourself in a worse position than Sayker.”