Page 131

Blake watched them leave and then turned back to his laptop. For the next several hours, Echo headquarters operated like a command center.

Phones rang.

Information came in.

Unfortunately, most of it led nowhere.

Lincoln coordinated with his team, who were working the farmhouse scene with Scarlett while Gwen reviewed surveillance footage from roads surrounding the property.

Emmett worked through the financial connections between Meridian and the companies tied to Graham Whitaker.

Lucas remained close enough to monitor Blake without hovering.

Mostly.

Every so often, the medic would appear beside him with a bottle of water or a reminder to take his medication. Blake tolerated it because arguing took time and energy he couldn’t spare.

But beneath the constant activity, one thought refused to leave him alone.

Devon.

Then the barrage of internal questions would start again.

Where was she? Was she hurt? Was she afraid? Did she think he was dead?

He couldn’t bear the thought of her believing that. Not after everything they’d been through.

Blake rubbed his eyes. The words she’d whispered to him the night before echoed through his mind.

I love you, too.

“Hey.”

Gwen’s voice pulled him back.

She stood beside his chair, holding a fresh cup of coffee. “You look like you could use this.”

Blake accepted it. “Thanks.”

She sat down beside him, and for a moment, neither spoke. Then he heard Gwen’s quiet voice again.

“She knows you’re coming.”

Blake stared into the cup. “She thinks I’m dead.”

“You don’t know that.”

He looked at her. “Gwen.”

She stared back at him and sighed. “Okay. Maybe she does. But Devon’s stronger than she thinks.”

Blake swallowed. “I know.”

“She fought those men, Blake. She didn’t just give up.”

His throat tightened. “I know.”

Gwen rested a hand over his. “She’s going to keep fighting.”