“Mercer.”
Silence.
Then—
“You’ve made this more difficult than it needed to be.”
Reynolds.
My grip tightens.
“Yeah,” I say. “That happens when you try to bury the truth.”
“You don’t understand the damage you’re causing.”
“I understand exactly who caused it.”
A pause.
Then his tone shifts.
Colder.
“You think hiding behind a few Rangers changes the outcome?”
I glance at Tessa.
She’s watching me.
Not afraid.
Listening.
“No,” I say. “I think it buys us time.”
“For what?”
“For you to run out of options.”
Silence cracks on the line.
“You’re wrong,” he says quietly. “I still have plenty.”
Then he hangs up.
I lower the phone slowly.
“He’s moving,” I say.
“Yeah,” Blaze mutters. “I’m seeing chatter spike. Someone just killed two traffic feeds on the east side.”
Trigger turns slightly. “Black sedan just turned the corner again.”
“Too many passes,” Beast says. “They’re getting ready.”
My pulse steadies.
Focus locks in.