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“What if I don’t get my memories back?” I won’t be able to testify against Zach and his crew if there’s no memory of what they did to me.

“There’s more than one witness.” Cameron straightens to his full height. “This type of case is usually settled outside of court with a plea deal. But if we have to go to trial, I’ll make sure you all are prepared.”

CHAPTER 34

The Tactical Victory

Luke

An hour later, after Cameron and Agent Perkins left, we settle into the movie room to watch Zombieland 2. Jennifer checked all of Harper’s vitals again and went to sleep since she worked last night and then stayed up to watch over Harper. Harper has her legs across Nico’s lap. Her head rests against his shoulder.

She’s asleep. Peaceful. Her mom said it was okay to let her sleep.

I ache to hold her close to me. To drag her into my arms and never release her again. There’s this primal need to claim her as mine. But I fight the urge, because that’s the last thing she needs right now.

It’s been hard to settle, but I need to remain calm for her. Everything in me wants to fight. But there’s no one left to fight. They’re all where they should be, in jail.

This nervous energy has my leg bouncing. Last night was a lot. My fists clench and unclench. I was prepared to take them down. Honestly, I’m not sure what would have happened if the three of us had stormed in there and seen Jack with a knife to his throat and Harper drugged.

My insides churn. I would have done anything to protect her. Anything.

Even now, I want to find Zach and end him.

Fuck.

I need to wrap my hands and box until all this tension and anger leaves my body. Harper’s chest rises and falls with every breath. I can’t stand the thought of leaving her side.

Last night, leaving her with the others was necessary. There were a lot of moving parts, and we needed to make sure everyone was taken care of. But today... fuck, I can’t leave her.

Eli watches her closely. I don’t think any of us are watching the movie, but we’re here in this room for Harper. None of us want to be anywhere else, because the truth is we could have lost her last night.

We failed.

She never should have been taken in the first place. We should have known. We should have prepared more. Zach might have had plans to keep her alive. But if we hadn’t been there, she would have been dead, buried in some field alone where we could never find her.

My heart pounds so hard it aches. I can’t stand the thought of losing her.

“Take her hand, Luke.” Nico’s soft voice startles me out of my thoughts.

“What?” I genuinely don’t know what he’s talking about.

“You’re spiraling.” Nico glances around at all of us. “We all are in some way. She needs us to be solid. She needs us, but we need each other. You can lean on me if you need to. Touch her so you can reassure yourself she’s real. She’s here. She’s safe.”

I blow out a breath and sit on the edge of the seat next to them. My hand trembles as I brush her hair out of her face. Her nose wrinkles, and she releases a breath.

“He should have never taken her.” Caden shakes his head.

Any pretense of watching the movie has been shed.

“We did everything we could to figure out his plan.” Jack rubs the back of his head.

“You need some pain meds?” I ask.

He looks at me questioningly, like he hadn’t even realized he was rubbing his head. He freezes mid-rub and looks at his hand.

Fuck.

I stand as Jack’s face falls. I’m already in front of him when he crumples. It was only a matter of time. He stayed strong for her. For us. Now we can be strong for him.