Page 79 of Knox

I laughed, and something warm passed between them.

Knox watched the exchange with thinly veiled curiosity. “You didn’t ride here with Archer?”

Colton looked away. “Archer and Nash are in position. We’re clear to move whenever you give the word.”

Knox checked his watch. “Okay. We’re approaching on foot from here, maintain the couple cover until we’re certain the location is secure.” His gaze swept over the group, landing and lingering on me. “Comms stay open. Archer will keep lookout at the other vehicle access point. If anyone shows up, he’ll alert us immediately and get Nash moving.”

Colton motioned to a tree. “I set a camera here to watch this lot. Feeds to a channel Archer’s got covered.”

Knox nodded. “Colton, you and Maggie take point. Sloane and I will follow at a distance. We want to appear casual. Completely unremarkable.”

“What if he’s there?” I asked. The likelihood was small, but still. What if the man who attacked me was inside the ranger station?

“Then we back off and let Nash handle it. We’re on reconnaissance today. Nothing more. We’ll gather intel, if there’s any to report, and confirm the location as our suspect’s base of operations, if that’s the case.”

I nodded. Knox made it sound easy. Simple. But nothing about this felt simple.

“Ready?” he asked.

And we were on the move.

Midday light over the maritime forest was magical, casting long shadows against the amber sky. Moisture hung heavy in the air as we hiked the narrow trail leading to the old ranger station. Spiderwebs between trees glittered like silver confetti. Birdsong filled the canopy. Warblers and vireos calling territory. Woodpeckers hammering ancient pines.

Beautiful. Peaceful. Exactly the kind of place that should have felt safe.

Knox’s hand squeezed mine, anchoring me to this moment. Playing the part of devoted boyfriend out for a romantic hike. He might’ve sold it, if not for the way his eyes scanned our surroundings on a loop, or the tension bunched in his shoulders. Tactical awareness in every step.

Ahead on the trail, Colton and Maggie walked close together, heads bent in conversation. To any observer, they, too, were just another couple enjoying the forest. But I caught the way Colton positioned himself slightly ahead, the way his gaze swept the tree line, and the careful deliberation in his stride.

Marines. Even off duty, even in civilian clothes, they moved like warriors.

“You okay?” Knox asked quietly.

“Nervous.” My thoughts were everywhere. “What if we’re wrong, and this is just an abandoned building, and we’ve wasted everyone’s time?”

“Then we cross it off the list and we’ll know.” Knox stopped, turning to face me properly.

“And if we’re right?” My breaths came quicker, and I forced myself to remain calm.

Knox gave our surroundings another cautious look. “My gut says we’re close, even if we aren’t at the exact right place. Mom’s maps, the mechanic’s information, and some old squatter reports Nash dug up make this a solid possibility. Either way, it’s unlikely anyone staying here would just be hanging out in the middle of the day. This is as good a time as any to check it out.”

Colton’s voice crackled through the small radio clipped to Knox’s belt. “Eyes on the station. Approximately fifty meters. Proceeding with caution.”

Knox keyed the radio. “Copy that. We’re thirty seconds behind you.”

Adrenaline surged through my system as we rounded a bend in the trail. Then, there it was. Barely visible through the trees. The old ranger station. Single story on heavy stilts, weathered wood siding, moss growing thick on the north-facing roof. Windows dark and empty. Door hanging slightly ajar.

Abandoned.

“Fresh tire tracks,” Knox murmured, shifting his gaze to the clearing beside the building.

It took a long moment for my eyes to see what he had so quickly. Deep ruts in the soft earth.

Colton and Maggie stopped at the tree line, waiting for Knox’s signal.

He keyed his radio. “Archer, status?”

“All clear at access point. No movement on the road.”