“Yeah.” I dig into my hoodie pocket and pull out the folded receipt I’ve been carrying like a talisman. “Back of a gas station receipt. Just two words: Haven 7.”
He takes it, scans it, frowns. “This is our name. But it’s not public.”
“No kidding.”
The scar-faced guy takes a step forward. “I’m Silas. Sheriff. You’ll be safe here. But we need to know everything. Every detail. Even if it seems small.”
I nod. “I’ve told you all I know. Mia was scared. She was pulling away. And then she was gone.”
Chase leans back, tossing a stress ball in one hand. “So she leaves a clue pointing to a place no one’s supposed to know exists… and you somehow find it.”
“She’s my sister,” I say, jaw tightening. “I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for her to turn up in a ditch.”
The room goes quiet.
Even Rhett’s expression softens, just a little. Just enough to make my chest ache.
Another man walks in—this one eventallerthan Rhett. Darker. Broodier. He glances at me with pale gray eyes that could probably freeze lava.
“Thorne,” he says, giving a short nod.
“Okay,” I mutter. “Is everyone here carved out of granite?”
Chase laughs. “You haven’t met Harlan yet. He’s worse.”
The guy next to Thorne—leaner, more dangerous-looking—just gives me a nod that could cut steel. I’m guessingthat’sHarlan.
I sigh. “Great. So I’m trapped in a testosterone volcano with America’s hottest hit squad.”
Rhett pinches the bridge of his nose like he’s suddenly got a migraine.
“I’m serious,” I say, softer now. “If you knew Mia… she’s sunshine. Brave. She wouldn’t disappear unless she had no choice.”
Silas exchanges a look with Rhett. “We’ve heard Renshaw’s name before.”
“From where?” I ask, heart pounding.
“That’s classified,” Rhett says.
“Seriously?”
He sighs. “For now. But you’re not leaving this compound until we know more. And you’re not going anywhere without me.”
I lift a brow. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Depends how much you like handcuffs.”
Chase chokes on his water.
And even Rhett looks like he regrets speaking.
But me? I just smile. Because for the first time since Mia vanished, I don’t feel completely alone.
I’ve got a gut feeling. And it’s screaming one thing loud and clear.
Something bad has happened to my sister. And if these guys think I’m sitting on the sidelines while they play hero, they’ve got another thing coming.
FOUR