Page 67 of The Scout

Will used to joke that it was his “secret stash of state secrets.” I always assumed it was just old deployment papers and a few valuables. But when I opened it, my breath caught.

There, resting at the bottom like it had been waiting for me, was an old, battered copy ofThe Hobbit.

A memory hit me—small, insignificant. Until now.

Will standing in this exact spot, holding this book, flipping through its worn pages.

Our dad used to read it to us when we were kids, his voice deep and steady, the scent of old paper filling the room.

Will had always teased me about it.“You’re gonna grow up to be a tomboy, Izzy.”

I smiled faintly. Ryker sure as hell wouldn’t call me a tomboy now.

I picked up the book carefully, running my fingers over the familiar cover before flipping it open. A note slipped out, fluttering to the floor.

I snatched it up, my heart hammering as I recognized the handwriting.

Will.

If anything happens, don’t come looking for me. Stay close to Ryker. He pretends to be a bad guy, but I know better. He’ll take care of you.

My throat closed.

He knew. He fucking knew. And he hadn’t told me.

I tucked the note into my pocket, my jaw tightening, my mind already turning.

What the hell was happening?

Will had left this for me. He had wanted me to find it. And he had trusted Ryker to protect me. I swallowed hard, pushing past the lump in my throat.

I was going to find out why.

22

RYKER

Dominion Hall was locked down. Every door, every window, every inch of this place was secured, but that wasn’t enough. My team was running at full capacity, pulling every tool we had, calling in every contact who might know something. This wasn’t just about Isabel. This was about the survival of Dominion Defense Corporation.

Because this felt like a test.

A first move. A probe. A recon into what Dominion’s domestic capabilities really were.

And that was a problem.

Dominion had been built to operate overseas, where the rules were different, where the threats were clear. But this? This was happening in our backyard. Someone wanted to know how quickly we’d respond, how far our influence stretched, and how much damage we were willing to inflict when provoked.

The only question was—who?

I ran through the list in my head. There were competitors headquartered in the region, some withdeep enough pockets and enough of a grudge to try something this bold. But Dominion had gone out of its way not to make trouble with other American companies. Not unless they were crooked. And when that happened, it was game on.

Charlie stepped into the room, his face unreadable, but I knew him too well to miss the tension in his jaw. “Elias is still running traces on the messages. So far, nothing. Whoever’s behind this isn’t sloppy.”

I already knew that. Sloppy enemies were easy to deal with. This was different.

“Keep pushing,” I said, barely keeping the frustration out of my voice.

Charlie gave a sharp nod before turning and disappearing down the hall, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I didn’t like this. I didn’t like that we had no answers, no real leads. And I sure as hell didn’t like that Will had vanished without a trace.

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