The distraction team detonates a flash-bang grenade near the front entrance, immediately drawing the guards’ attention. We move in through the side, quietly breaching the door. The interior is dimly lit and smells of old wood and dust.
I advance with robotic precision, each step measured, weapon ready. Through my earpiece, I hear the rear team confirm they’ve entered successfully. We’re converging on the main storage area from multiple directions, leaving Hawthorne nowhere to run.
As we approach the final door, I hear voices—Hawthorne’s cultured tones and another man’s gruffer responses. I don’t hear Lana speaking, which sends a fresh surge of fear through me.
Sergeant Miller gives the final go-ahead, and we breach the door in perfect harmony. “RCMP! Hands up! Don’t move!”
The scene unfolds in fractions of seconds—Hawthorne standing near a support beam, his face contorted with surprise and rage. Two officers with their weapons drawn, swinging toward us. And Lana, seated in a chair, her hands bound but her eyes fierce and alert.
“Drop your weapons!” I shout at the officers, my gun trained on the closest one. “Now!”
Time seems suspended as they hesitate, clearly weighing their options. Then the moment breaks—one officer slowly lowers his weapon, but the other swings toward Lana.
I don’t hesitate. My shot catches him in the shoulder before he can aim, sending him stumbling backward. Declan’s team rushes forward, securing both officers while Sergeant Miller moves toward Hawthorne.
“William Hawthorne, you’re under arrest for kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy—”
Hawthorne lunges suddenly, not toward us but toward Lana, something metallic flashing in his hand. I react instinctively, tackling him before he can reach her. We crash to the floor, his knife skittering away as I pin him down, punching him in the mouth.
Two men drag me off him, and I shake them loose. Looking down at Hawthorne, I want nothing more than to beat the ever-living shit out of him for touching Lana, but instead, I spit at his feet. “It’s over. Your family’s century of corruption ends today.”
RCMP officers pull him off the floor, taking over the arrest while I rush to Lana. My hands shake slightly as I untie the ropes binding her wrists.
“Are you hurt?” I ask, scanning her for injuries, my heart still racing.
“I’m okay,” she says, her voice steady despite everything. “Just angry. And embarrassed that I walked right into his trap.”
I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly, relief washing through me like a physical force. “Don’t ever do that again,” Imurmur against her hair. “Don’t go anywhere without telling me.”
She pulls back slightly, her eyes meeting mine. “I promise. But Caleb, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Before she can continue, Sergeant Miller approaches. “We need to get everyone out of here. Hawthorne’s men might have backup on the way.”
I help Lana to her feet, keeping her close to my side. “Whatever it is, it can wait until we’re somewhere safe.”
As we exit the building, I notice her clutching a small paper bag. Something from the pharmacy, I assume—whatever personal items were important enough to risk going into town alone. I don’t press her about it. Right now, all that matters is that she’s safe.
Outside, the scene has transformed into organized chaos. RCMP vehicles surround the facility as officers process Hawthorne and his men. Julia rushes forward as soon as she sees us, engulfing Lana in a fierce hug.
“You scared the crap out of us!” she exclaims, finally releasing Lana. “Don’t you know the buddy system exists for a reason?”
Despite everything, Lana smiles. “I’ll remember that next time.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I say firmly, my arm still around her waist. “From now on, no one goes anywhere alone until this is completely resolved.”
As we prepare to leave, I watch Hawthorne being placed in an RCMP vehicle. His eyes meet mine, cold with hatredand something else—a certainty that doesn’t match his circumstances. It sends a warning prickle down my spine.
“The town of Pinecrest is still going to expropriate Jake’s land, and there is nothing you can do about it,” Hawthorne shouts just as the car door is slammed in his face.
Chapter 35
Lana
When we pull up to Jake’s, I’m overwhelmed by the reception—Kori rushing forward to envelop me in a tearful hug, Jake and Ella hovering nearby with obvious relief, Julia bouncing on her toes with uncharacteristic restraint. Even Connor and Mia came from the lodge for support. But it’s Caleb’s expression that undoes me—the carefully controlled facade that can’t quite hide the fear he must have felt when he realized I was missing.
“Don’t you ever do that again,” Kori whispers fiercely in my ear. “I should have stopped you.”
“It’s not your fault,” I assure her, though guilt gnaws at me for putting everyone through this. “I shouldn’t have gone alone.”
