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I almost don't recognize him.

Blood covers half his face.

One eye is swelling shut.

His mouth is split.

Scratches run down his forearm.

One arm is tucked close to his body.

He's limping.

I look at him. Then at Callie. Then back at him.

She did that.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Mercer's gaze moves to me. “McConnell.”

Callie lifts her head from my chest. “That’s your last name?”

Not now.

“Chaos.”

“I got kidnapped before I learned your last name?”

“Callie.”

“Seems relevant.”

Bishop emerges from the trees behind us.

His gun is already raised.

Mercer's eyes flick toward him. Then back to me.

Callie twists slightly in my arms. Her entire body stiffens. “He has a gun.”

“I know.”

“Let her go,” Mercer says.

I stare at him.

Callie looks up at me.

Even Bishop remains silent.

I almost laugh.

“You think she belongs to you now?” Mercer asks.

My arm tightens around her. Callie's fingers curl into my shirt.

Mercer's mouth twists. “She knows what you are?”