"Then we go after Debbie, too," I grit out, still trying to make sense of things.

"No," Caleb shakes his head.

My own head snaps up. "No?" I skewer him with my gaze, letting the hurt and anger pour over. "What do you mean no? We can't let her get fucking killed, Caleb, and that's exactly what she's going to do! We have no idea how deep any of this shit goes!"

Jackson chimes in, but doesn't take my side like I expect him to. "Caleb has a point, Leo. We need to be smart about this."

"What's there to be smart about?" I shoot back.

"Everything," he snaps back. "You said so yourself: she could get herself killed. So could we."

Caleb sits at the kitchen table like it's fucking tea time and adds, "What good will we be to her dead? Or even just injured?"

I hate that they're right, but I know they are. And that's why I sit down, too, dropping my head into my hands. I love her. The thought of losing Charlie? It's too much to bear.

The room falls silent, the weight of our unspoken fears filling the air like an oppressive fog. My mind races, searching for a loophole, a way to save Charlie without jeopardizing ourselves. But deep down, I know they're right—we can't charge blindly into danger. Not now, not when everything we've fought for hangs in the balance.

With a heavy sigh, I finally lift my head and meet Caleb's unwavering gaze. His eyes hold a mixture of concern and determination, reflecting the same emotions swirling within me.

Caleb looks at me with a mixture of sympathy and determination etched on his face. "Leo, you know I care for her too," he says softly, his voice laced with conviction, "but we need to approach this with caution. Charging in blindly won't do anyone any good."

I want to argue against his words, to let frustration and desperation guide my actions instead of logic. But deep down, I know he's right. This isn't a game to him--this is about protecting the woman we care about.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to calm down and process the situation with a clearer mind. "Okay," I say softly, my voice betraying the anguish in my heart. "You're right. We need a plan."

Caleb's shoulders relax slightly at my acceptance. He leans forward, his elbows resting on the tabletop. "She's taken all of the evidence, so it's safe to say that she's gone to confront Debbie in some way."

My mind races, searching for a way to approach this situation with caution yet still come out victorious. I contemplate the possibilities, envisioning scenarios that could unfold if we were to confront Debbie. Caleb is right—we can't afford to charge in blindly. But we can't just sit here and do nothing either.

I look up at Caleb, determination sparking in my eyes. "We need to gather more information," I say, my voice steady. "We have to figure out exactly what Charlie has discovered and what she plans to do about it."

Jackson leans forward, his brows furrowed with worry. "We can't just wait around for her to come back," he says as if we don't already know that.

I resist the urge to tell him as much. Right now isn't the time for fighting--even I can tell that.

I nod, acknowledging the truth in his words. "Right. And if we want any chance of finding Charlie and keeping her safe, we need to figure out what Debbie's next move might be."

Jackson leans against the kitchen counter, rubbing his temples as he thinks. "Debbie is obviously cunning and unpredictable. We can't underestimate her. She'll know that Charlie is a threat now."

Caleb interjects, his eyes narrowing with determination. "She's probably the one who sent her the threat."

"And I'd wager she plans to make good on it." The thought still sends a chill through me. "We need to find her," I say, "and quickly."

Great, now I sound like Jackson, I groan in my head.This isn't helping. What the fuck are we gonna do?

Jackson leans back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for an answer hidden within the walls. "We should start by retracing Charlie's steps," he suggests. "Maybe she left some clues behind."

But Caleb immediately shakes his head. "I've already searched her room. She didn't leave us anything."

"Because she doesn't want us involved," I murmur. "I swear, when I find her..."

I'll... I'll... Oh, hell, I'll probably kiss the stubborn girl.Damn it!

"I told her that I love her," I mutter as I sink into the chair.

"We all love her," Caleb responds, so sure that I know he means it.

"And we'll find her, too." Jackson pauses before adding, "And I think I might have an idea on how to."