Ryan’s POV
The city lights of Bexlin flickered against the darkening sky as Ryan stepped out of the hospital and exhaled slowly, the cold air carving a path down his lungs. He had just left his parents’ room, two people who once seemed untouchable, pillars of wealth and influence, now reduced to pale silhouettes against stiff white sheets. Jonathan Ashbrook’s pride had taken a beating in recent days, and Leah… she had barely spoken.
The air around the hospital felt heavy, saturated with secrets and the metallic tang of fear. Ryan adjusted his suit jacket and checked the time. Tevin and Carter would be waiting by now.
He had asked them for help, not something he did often. But when a man found himself trapped between protecting a wife who had already lost too much and a family drowning i
