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Kaylie's chest heaved, but she reluctantly yielded to Tank's instructions. She shot Moreno a venomous glare. He smirked in return. It was as if the man had a death wish or something.
"Kaylie," Tank said, his voice low and steady, a warning and a plea. "Don't let him bait you."
She shot Tank a glare, her eyes ablaze. "He needs to pay for what he's done. It’s his fault they have Lia.”
Tank's gaze softened. No one could fault Kaylie for her dedication to her daughter. "He will, but not like this. Right now, we need information, not revenge. We need to find her first. Everything else can wait."
She shot Tank a defiant glance, but there was a flicker of acknowledgment in her eyes. Reluctantly, Kaylie nodded, apparently realizing the truth in his words. Her fists clenched at her sides. Tank knew she wanted to unleash her fury on Moreno, but thankfully, she understood the greater need for restraint.
Tank turned his attention back to Moreno. "We're not here for games, Moreno. Tell us what you know about Lowell, and why he wanted Lia and Kaylie."
Moreno, clearly recognizing the shift in the room's dynamics, swallowed hard. The brash confidence that marked his earlier demeanor wavered. His men exchanged uneasy glances.
Tank's jaw clenched, but he steeled himself. He moved closer, his presence casting a shadow over Moreno. "You have information, and I suggest you start talking."
Moreno chuckled, still maintaining a façade of confidence. "You're in no position to make demands."
Tank leaned in, his voice a low growl. "I will bring your entire operation down into a burning pile on top of your dead body. Do not tempt me to become the monster you know I can be.”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Moreno's eyes. Tank seized on the moment, exploiting the crack in Moreno's composure by pushing further. "What's Lowell's game? Why did he want Lia and Kaylie?"
Moreno hesitated before finally relenting. "Lowell needs leverage. He wants the defense bill pushed through. Lia and Kaylie are his bargaining chips to make sure you play ball.”
Tank's mind raced to process the revelation. In the alley, Citadel had vaguely threatened Kaylie and Lia. Had that really only been a few hours ago? But now, it was a reality.
Everything came back to this defense bill. Citadel was desperate. QuinTech was involved and Marshand Chemical had risked the lives of thousands of people. What could possibly be so important in this bill for them to go to these lengths? Were they truly setting the country on a path for war? And if so, to what end?
If he hadn’t been so preoccupied with helping Kaylie, she never would have been on Citadel’s radar. Lia would be safe in her mother’s arms on some bus to Nebraska or some equally unimportant place. Citadel only targeted them because of him.
Tank turned his attention away from Moreno. “Take all three of them back to Black Tower for holding. We’ll see if our friends from the FBI have any interest in them before we release them.”
“On it. Miranda will have another vehicle here in fifteen minutes,” Connor said, his focus shifting to the logistics of the operation.
“Jackson was hit.” Marshall’s expression was pained. “He needs a medic.”
Jackson protested weakly from where he’d slumped against the wall. Connor and Marshall carried him out, his brother’s hand pressed to his side to stem the bleeding.
With the room clearing, Tank finally allowed himself a moment to acknowledge the turmoil within. He approached Kaylie, who stood at a distance, Lia’s stuffed elephant hanging limply from one hand. Her eyes revealed a mix of fear, anger, and desperation. Tank knew the storm of emotions that raged within her mirrored his own.
“Are you hurt?”
She looked up at him, vulnerability mingling with a fierce determination in her gaze. Her hand reached out tentatively. Tank ignored the desire to touch her. The guilt that clung to him had him fighting any display of affection.
"Anthony," she whispered, a plea in her eyes. “They’ve got my little girl,” she choked out the words. She curled inward on herself, as though physically holding herself together with her own arms.
Tank’s jaw tightened as he stopped himself from ignoring the barrier he’d placed between them. "Kaylie," he said, his voice a low murmur, "we'll get Lia back safely. I promise."
The distance he maintained was both a shield and a self-imposed punishment. Tank couldn't allow himself the luxury of seeking solace in Kaylie's arms while the danger loomed over them. The guilt of putting her and Lia in harm's way gnawed at him, a relentless reminder of the consequences of his choices.
Ryder discreetly signaled to the team to give them a moment. Tank's gaze held Kaylie's, trying to convey the depth of his commitment. "We'll make sure they pay for what they've done," Tank vowed, his tone unwavering. "But for now, let's focus on bringing Lia home." The room felt impossibly empty without her sweet laughter and trusting nature.
His eyes fell to the stuffed elephant and the small tracking device he knew was buried inside. How were they going to find Lia without that piece of technology? Citadel had operations all over the country. Without more information, finding Lia would be impossible.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
The air at Black Tower Security HQ was thick with tension as the team regrouped. Tank, still clad in his tactical gear, felt the cool leather of his gloves beneath his fingers, a grounding touch amid chaos. Responsibility weighed on him, but there was little time for self-pity. Joey's accusing stare bore into him. She was in the middle of an impressive rant about his impulsive charge at the motel.
