Chapter 29

Ramon POV

The reports from my subordinates droned on in the background as I sat behind my desk, fingers steepled, trying to maintain focus on the operational updates. Marcus stood at attention near the window, his posture rigid as he delivered his findings.

“Samuel Sanders remains unaccounted for, sir,” he said, his voice clipped with professional frustration. “We’ve traced his last known movements to a motel outside the city limits three weeks ago, but the trail goes cold after that. He paid in cash, used a false name, and disappeared without leaving any digital footprint.”

I nodded grimly. Samuel’s continued absence should have been reassuring—one less threat to Lake and Ollie’s safety—but something about his vanishing act felt too convenient, too clean. Men like Samuel didn’t simply evaporate; they went underground, plotting their next move.

“What about Morrison?” I asked, though I suspected I already knew the answer.

Marcus’s expression harde