Luke's fingers dug deeper into Knox's throat, slowly cutting off his air.The professor's legs kicked wildly in the air, his face turning a dark, dangerous shade of purple. His hands clawed uselessly at Luke's iron wrist. The cracked glass of the whiteboard groaned under his weight, tiny cracks spreading outward."I won't ask again," Luke whispered, his voice a cold promise against the professor's ear. He tightened his fingers slightly, cutting off the last of Knox's air.Terrified of death, Knox's resistance shattered. He squeezed his eyes shut and choked out the truth in a desperate whisper."It was... the Cross Patriarch!" Knox choked, saliva bubbling at his lips. "He promised me a seat at the Capital research institute if I brought the child to his transport in the basement!""I don't know where they took her!" he shrieked, his voice cracking. "They just took her and drove away! They had Capital plates!"Luke's eyes darkened. Zoe was already on her way to the Capital.He slowly re

The encrypted screen of the phone flashed violently, casting a red glare over General Thunder's face. He swiped the screen as he pushed through the heavy iron door and pressed the phone to his ear."Commander," Thunder said, his deep voice dropping its rough edge."My daughter was taken by a Capital team in three dark SUVs," Luke's flat, cold voice cut over the line. "Lock down the Zenith City borders."Thunder's chest tightened. A wave of cold shock hit him."At once, Sir!" Thunder barked, snapping to attention in the narrow corridor.He tapped the screen, ending the call, and whirled around to face his captain."Stop the interrogation!" Thunder roared, his voice shaking the walls. "Get the convoy ready! We are leaving now!"He didn't wait for a response. He charged down the corridor toward the exit, his heavy boots slamming against the concrete floor.The captain hurried to keep up. Thunder unclipped his secure radio from his vest as he ran, his fingers flying across the channels."

Luke's fingers gripped the cold stone of the perimeter wall. He stepped into the shadow of a tall oak as the high-pitched scream of a sports car tore through the avenue.A sleek, cherry-red Porsche drifted around the corner, its headlights cutting through the darkness. The massive gates slid open to let the car through.Luke didn't hesitate. He moved like a passing breeze, slipping through the gap behind the car before the barriers could seal shut.The Porsche screeched to a halt in the dark courtyard, dust billowing under its tires. The driver's door flew open. Isabella Cross stepped out onto the wet gravel, slamming the door behind her.She kicked off her designer heels, her chest heaving under her sweater as she stared furiously toward the mansion. The private transport from Zenith City had landed twenty minutes ago, and her anger had only grown."You went too far, Father," she muttered, her voice trembling.A hand, cold as steel, clamped around her throat from behind.Isabella fro

Luke's hands clamped onto the edges of the sliding steel doors. His boots anchored firmly against the concrete wall, his legs locking into a solid stance.He pulled back with a single explosive thrust.The thick metal screeched. The high-pitched sound of tearing steel echoed through the bright, silent laboratory. The heavy doors ripped off their tracks in a shower of sparks and twisted bolts.Luke spun and hurled the massive, two-hundred-pound steel panel across the room.The metal plate soared through the air, slicing through the surgical lamp. It crashed into the medical machinery, sending sparks and glass over the floor.The impact threw the researcher sideways before his needle could reach Zoe's arm.The heavy syringe flew from his fingers and shattered on the floor.Luke stepped through the ruined doorway, his dark eyes taking in the wreckage.The researcher scrambled to his feet, reaching for a backup syringe on a side tray.Luke crossed the room in a single stride. Before the m

Luke stood frozen by the side of the bed, his hand hovering over the cool blanket. He stared into Zoe's blank, empty eyes, his chest locking with cold, hollow pain. The weight of her forgotten past made it hard to breathe.The terrible truth hit him like a physical blow. He realized the Cross machine's early waves from last night had already begun to damage her memories."Zoe," Luke said, keeping his voice as gentle as possible as he took a slow step closer with open palms.The little girl shrank back against the heavy headboard, pulling the thick duvet up to her chin. Her eyes were wide with deep terror that broke his heart. She looked at him as if he were a complete stranger."Get away from me," she whispered, her tiny body trembling under the sheets."I want my mommy," Zoe sobbed, her fingers clutching the blanket until her joints turned pale."Where am I? I don't know you. You're a bad man."Luke felt a sharp pain in his chest. He needed to calm her before her panic triggered anoth