Lucien Delano paused for a moment and glanced at the once-shiny number that had been printed on the door.

Room 302.

The room where he had been instructed to enter by the kidnapper.

The distorted voice had called to give details about handing over the ransom the previous day.

Lucien Delano could still hear the mockery ringing in the voice, as if the kidnapper was laughing at some private joke . A joke on them.

“… if you wish to save the Bear’s young niece.” The speaker had smirked over the phone.

He pictured the Bear’s traumatised face.

Something seemed to hold him back, but he scowled.

He was not...