Chapter 257: No Mercy

Chris's fingers curled slightly against the armrest, his expression darkening. The pain from his wounds was irrelevant now. This was personal.

He turned his gaze back to Ethan. "I need him dead." His voice was cold, final. "And his head brought to me."

Ethan gave a slight nod. "Already in motion."

Chris exhaled slowly, then narrowed his eyes. Something else had been tugging at the edges of his memory. A flicker of movement. A face.

Ava.

His fingers twitched. "What of Ava?" His voice was sharper now. "I remember seeing her."

Ethan's jaw tightened slightly. "She was there. She stabbed you before the shots were fired."

Chris let out a slow breath, piecing it together. Ava was involved. Maybe not in the direct attack—but she played a role.

His eyes darkened. "And now?"

Ethan hesitated. "Gone. No confirmed location yet."

Chris's lips pressed into a thin line. That wasn't good enough.

He turned to Skylar, his gaze unreadable. "And you? Did you know?"

Skylar didn't flinch. "No."

Chris studied her for a long moment before speaking.

"Find her." He looked back at Ethan. "And when you do, bring her to me alive."

Ethan gave a sharp nod. "Understood."

Chris exhaled, his fingers tightening against the chair. Marshall was dead. Ava would be found. And then?

Then, this would all end on his terms.