"Never thought I’d have to look at you like this… tied to a chair, face busted, wondering when exactly I lost you."

Reacher lifts his head, dried blood at the corner of his mouth and a dark bruise on his cheek. He’s bound, but his gaze hasn’t lost its edge. Only this time, behind those cold eyes, there’s something else...disappointment.

"I trusted you. More than anyone. When the world turned its back on me, you didn’t. And now… this?"

He takes a slow breath, swallowing the pain like it’s just another bullet. Still doesn’t look away.

"You could’ve killed me. Maybe you should’ve. But if you left me breathing just so I’d listen… then talk. Because I need to know why someone I called family decided to betray me"