Page 215 of The Dark Stranger

---

Clean extraction.

No casualties on our side.

But something feels wrong.

I can't shake it.

My phone buzzes.

I pull it out.

Unknown number.

I answer.

"Yeah."

"Silas."

It's one of the men I left at the safehouse.

His voice is tight.

Urgent.

Panicked.

I freeze.

"Go ahead," I say.

My voice is low.

Controlled.

But my heart is alreadyracing.

"It's Nick," he says.

"Becca's been gone for over an hour."

"She went for a walk."

"Said she needed private time."

"He gave her space."

"But she's not back yet."

My blood runs cold.

"What do you mean she's not back?" I say.

My voice is hard.

Dangerous.

"Nick went to check on her," he says.

---