Page 99 of Searching for Valor

“Dead,” Rylan confirmed.

“Oh, thank God.” She swallowed hard. “I went to her for help when Julian threatened me.”

“Jesus,” Rylan muttered. “Callahan was the woman we saw on the trail cam at Whispering Pines. She probably used her credentials to get a key to the cabin and told the owner to keep it quiet. That’s why he wasn’t thrilled about sharing the trail cam footage.”

Monica looked at him, then nodded. “She was on his payroll, too. That’s why I ran. That’s why I tried to get my kids someplace safe.” She hugged Grace tighter. “Is Noah safe?”

“He is,” Izzy confirmed. “My parents have him.”

Tears flooded Monica’s eyes. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

Zak stepped forward. “How about you start by telling us who Callahan’s boss was?”

Nicolas Stroud.

Tech billionaire, philanthropist, and…

Human trafficker.

Back in the command center at Redwood Coast Rescue, Rylan stared at the screens as Sawyer sorted through Monica’s files.

Nicolas Stroud of Stroud Dynamics was behind this all.

He looked down at his prosthetic arm and watched the fingers roll into a fist. “Son of a bitch.”

Zak crossed his arms, his gaze hard as he studied the screens. “How far does this go?”

Sawyer’s usual smile was nowhere to be seen, his expression darkening with each new file he opened. “Far. Stroud’s not just dabbling in trafficking—he’s built an empire. Money laundering, bribery, leveraging political power to silence whistleblowers. He’s got his hands in everything.”

Ash growled softly. “Stroud Dynamics funded AG Parker’s last election campaign.”

“Well, that’s one problem solved, at least,” Anna said. “You don’t have to worry about that corruption investigation anymore. If he comes for you again, you can throw this in his face.”

“Even if this news gets out, Parker will weasel out of it like he always does. But, yeah, I think my job’s safe.” Ash exhaled and scrubbed a hand over his beard. “Stroud also funds half the tech sector and a good chunk of Washington. Taking him down won’t just rattle cages— it’ll bring the whole damn house down.”

“Good,” Zak said flatly.

Monica, seated on the lumpy couch beside Grace, rubbed her daughter’s back. “These files were all I managed to collect before Julian caught me. They’re enough to make noise, but it’s not enough to touch Stroud. You see his resources and connections. You’ll need more if you’re going after him.”

She was right. Stroud was a powerful man who profited off pain, whose empire thrived on destruction—and now, that destruction had reached Rylan’s team, his family.

“Then we’ll get more,” he said. He looked at Zak, then at the rest of the team. “Valor doesn’t have a leg because of him. Let’s bury the bastard.”

The room was silent for a beat, and then they all hooted with agreement.

“Hooyah,” Shane said.

“Fuck, yeah,” Donovan said.

Rylan’s gaze landed on Izzy, who shook her head in disgust and walked out of the room. He followed her out and found her leaning against the wall out in the hallway.

He propped himself next to her and brushed his fingers against hers. “You okay?”

She nodded and tried for a smile that was half the wattage of her usual one. “Just… angry, I think. Mostly. Angry and disgusted. All of those lives Stroud has ruined... terrifying Monica, traumatizing Grace and Noah… All for what? So some billionaire who already has more money than he needs can make a few more bucks? I couldn’t stand there any longer looking at those files.” She sucked in a sharp breath and glanced over at him. “What about you? Are you okay?”

“I’m pissed.” He raised his prosthetic arm. “A lot of veterans will benefit from this technology, but Stroud’s corruption is going to set its release back months, maybe years. QuenTech Biotics will have to find another manufacturer. ” He exhaled to dispel the surge of fury and shook his head. “But, yeah, otherwise, I’m okay.”

“And Valor? Have you checked on him?”

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