Chapter 414
Chapter 414:
Inside the house, the two men tore through every room with mounting impatience, yet no matter how relentlessly they searched, their efforts turned up empty. Frustration twisted their faces, sharp whispers escalating into open bickering, until they began wrecking the place outright, going so far as to tear into the roof above.
By four in the morning, the first thin streaks of dawn had crept over the horizon.
Out of nowhere, Kailey let out a sharp sneeze.
Concern creased Kyson’s brow as his fingers brushed her chilled cheek. “You’re freezing. Go warm up in the car and get some rest. I’ll stay here and keep watch. If anything changes, I’ll call you right away p>
Her unfinished objection dissolved into a startled breath as Kyson effortlessly scooped her into his arms and carried her toward the car with long, decisive strides. Reaching the door, he eased it open, settled her carefully into the passenger seat, and adjusted the backrest until it reclined just enough for comfort.
“Try to rest for a bit, alright?” he murmured.
Kailey pouted. “I can’t fall asleep p>
𝘐ns𝘁аnt a𝘤с𝘦𝗌𝗌 oո
“So you’re just going to stand out there and let yourself get sick p>
Her retort withered before it could leave her tongue.
With a soft rustle, Kyson unfolded a blanket and tucked it around her shoulders, guiding her down with gentle but unmistakable firmness. “If I told you to take a day off, you’d ignore me. So at least sleep now. Close your eyes, clear your head, and it’ll come p>
Bending closer, he brushed a warm, lingering kiss against her forehead. “Be good p>
The softness in his voice made it nearly impossible to turn him down. She tightened her grip on the blanket, drawing it up to hide the lower half of her flushed face while her bright, watchful eyes peeked out at him.
A small smile curved Kyson’s lips as he leaned in for another lingering kiss, then shut the car door. He circled to the driver’s side, slid in, ignited the engine, and switched on the heater. Once he confirmed the temperature and settings were comfortable, he stepped out again and headed back inside to review the surveillance footage.
Without realizing it, Sheldon flicked a quick glance over his shoulder before murmuring, “Mr. Blake, they’re coming down now p>
Leaning his chin into his palm, Kyson sat quietly, lost in thought. Nearly two full minutes drifted by in heavy silence.
Then his low voice cut through the room. “Do we have any rope p>
“Rope?” Sheldon blinked, confusion creasing his brow. After a brief pause, he answered cautiously, “Yes, we have p>
Kyson offered a brief nod, giving his neck a slow stretch. “Could you bring one of them down p>
No emotion betrayed itself on his sculpted features, though a raw, untamed force radiated from him, like a predator quietly deciding when to strike. The two men blinked at him in stunned silence, their minds lagging behind his words, until the faint crease of irritation between his brows jolted them awake and they blurted in hurried unison, “Yes p>
A faint, satisfied curve touched Kyson’s lips. “Good p>
Roughly thirty minutes later, they stood at the base of a mountain swallowed by dense darkness.
“We should’ve come while the sun was still up. Wandering blind like this is pointless p>