Page 12 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

I force the memories away. Focus on the map, on entry points and escape routes. I go over the precise pressure points that will incapacitate our target quickly and quietly in my head until I can almost feel him in my grasp.

"One more thing," I say as we finish the final details. "Once we have him, we need to move fast. Garrett's had three days to move her anywhere and once he knows we have one of his guys, he's going to move her again. The longer we wait..."

"We won't wait," Levi interrupts. "Whatever it takes, whatever he knows, we'll get it out of him. Now, I need everyone sharp for what's coming. We have a few hours, so get some rest now while you can. Set your alarms for 1900 hours. It's going to be a long night." His eyes move between each of us and I can almost hear some of the familiar command and authority return to his voice.

It's what he leaves unspoken that hangs in the air—once we have our target, nothing we do will be quick or clean.

Chapter Six

Levi

Mybootsechoagainstthe concrete as I pace the length of the basement. Each step matches the thundering of my heart, the rage that pulses beneath my skin. The dim overhead light casts long shadows, turning the empty space into a cage that barely contains the monster I can feel surfacing.

I flex my fingers, feeling the sting of split skin, the ache of bruised bone. How many faces have I destroyed in the past few days? I've lost count. Each one blends into the next—just vessels of information I needed to crack open.

"You're wearing a path in the floor." Colt's voice drifts down the stairs.

I don't bother responding. My mind is a black void, consumed by images of Sunny. Sunny bleeding. Sunny screaming. Sunny alone with that bastard who's haunted us both.

"The guard will be here in twenty." Zane this time, his tone careful. Like he's approaching a rabid animal. Maybe he is.

I roll my shoulders, feeling the familiar weight of the anticipation of violence settling over me like a second skin. "Good."

"We need him coherent enough to talk."

A bitter laugh escapes my throat. "He'll talk."

My reflection catches in a broken piece of mirror propped against the wall. I barely recognize myself anymore. The boy who loved Sunny died the night I left her. What's left now is something dark. A man carved out of the guilt and rage I live with every day.

"Whatever it takes," I mutter to my reflection. "Whatever it fucking takes."

Twenty minutes later, the basement door creaks open again. Wolf's heavy footsteps descend. He pauses when he sees my face.

"Boss." His voice is gruff. "You sure you should handle this one?"

I raise my eyes, meeting his concerned gaze. "You think I can't?"

"I know youcan. I was asking if youshould."

"I'm exactly what we need." The darkness in my mind spreads, consuming everything but the singular purpose of finding her. "I'm the one thing he should fear the most."

Because that's what I've become—everyone's worst nightmare. The monster under the bed. The shadow in the dark. My father would be proud, if he weren't rotting in the shallow grave I buried him in.

My knuckles crack as I clench my fists. The pain grounds me, gives shape and form to everything I'm feeling. I can use this. Channel it. Break this guard into pieces until he gives us what we need.

"Set up the chair," I order, voice hollow.

Because when I start, I won't stop. Not until I have answers. Until I know where she is. Until I can tear Garrett apart with my bare hands. I told him once that I would slit his throat if he touched her again. I intend on fulfilling that promise.

I am my father's son after all. The very thing I swore I'd never become. But for Sunny? For her, there's nothing I won't become, nothing I won't do if it means I get her back.

The wait stretches, pulling my nerves tight. Each second she's missing is another failure, another betrayal. The guilt feeds the rage, and the rage feeds the monster, and the monster...

The monster's all I have right now.

The door above opens. Multiple sets of boots on the stairs. They got him.

"Clear the room." Colt's voice carries the authority I can't muster right now. Our men file out, leaving just the inner circle.

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