JAXSON
The second Ryder stopped the car in front of Tessa’s gate, I was already shoving the door open. My feet hit the ground before my brain even caught up. I didn’t wait for my brothers, I just moved.
The security guard stood near the gate, holding a small plastic bottle of water. His eyes widened when he saw me rushing straight at him.
“Did Tessa come home?” I asked. My voice sounded rough, too sharp, like it scraped its way out of my chest.
He opened his mouth, startled. “I rushed to get a drink and came back a few minutes ago so—”
But Cole and I were already pushing past him, not waiting for the rest of his sentence. I couldn’t afford to wait. Every second felt like it was stealing something from me.
The compound was quiet. Too quiet. I didn’t hear anything, no movement, nothing
