Cap’s voice sliced through the silence like a blade.
“TRACK THE VAN. NOW.”
18
AMANDA
Smoke was acting strange.
He wasn’t usually like this. Smoke was anxious by nature, sure, but this felt sharper. Focused. Like he’d picked up a scent that didn’t belong.
His nails clicked too fast against the floor. His head snapped toward the door every few seconds.
My heart started to beat faster and I tried to breathe through it.
“Hey,” I murmured again, running my hand down his back. His muscles were rigid under my palm. “You’re okay. We’re okay.”
The words sounded wrong the second I said them.
He’d been circling the desk in Cap’s office for the past five minutes. Whining, pacing, ears pinned back. Not begging for treats or nosing at my leg like usual. This was different. Edgy. Tense.
“Smoke,” I said, crouching near him. “What is it, buddy?”
He just huffed and turned another tight circle, eyes darting to the door.
I stood and glanced at Ariel. She was elbow-deep in paperwork, her brows drawn tight as she flipped through afolder of intake forms. “I’m gonna grab the files from the front,” I said softly. “Be right back.”
“Two minutes,” she murmured without looking up.
I nodded and slipped out, the door clicking shut behind me.
The hallway was quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes your footsteps sound too loud. Like the building itself was holding its breath.
I told myself it was nothing. That the guys were out running drills. That Wrecker was probably halfway across the property, scowling at a fence line.
That thought should’ve comforted me.
It didn’t.
I should’ve noticed the way the hairs stood up on my arms. Should’ve listened to the gut-twist that screamed something was off.
Smoke bolted.
He let out one sharp bark, then took off down the hallway like his tail was on fire.
“Smoke!” I hissed. “Buddy, what are you?—?”
I jogged after him.
One turn. One damn corner.
The laundry room door was cracked open. Just a sliver.
I wouldn’t have noticed the shadow if Smoke hadn’t growled.
And by then, it was too late.
A hand shot out.
