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Sean gives orders before the wheels touch the runway.

“Arthur and Taylor will go to the sheriff’s department.”

“Kane and Holt will inspect the ranch with local investigators.”

“Trent will work with the deputies searching for Patrick’s SUV.”

“Sage, Hayley, Will, and I will go to the hospital,” Sean explains.

“Nobody separates from a partner.”

“Nobody leaves without telling me.”

“Nobody approaches Patrick alone.”

The moment the plane stops, a sheriff’s vehicle meets us on the tarmac.

A woman steps out.

She wears jeans, boots, and a badge clipped to her belt.

“Sheriff Elena Cruz.”

Sean shakes her hand.

“Sean Campbell.”

Her gaze moves across all seven men.

“I was told you owned a security company.”

“We do.”

“I wasn’t told you were bringing an army.”

Arthur steps forward.

“We’re smaller than an army.”

Kane walks past him.

“Most days.”

Sheriff Cruz studies them.

Then she looks at me.

“You’re Sage?”

“Yes.”

“Marisol has been asking for you.”

My heart stops.

“She knows my name?”

“She woke up after surgery and said we had to find Sage Campbell.”