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“What did Izzy tell you when she left?”

He pauses. “That she was running out to get milk.”

“And how long ago was that?”

Another pause.

“It’s been a few hours.” His voice wobbles.

“And has she returned?”

There’s an audible gulp. “No. I—”

“You’re fired.”

“Mr.—”

“Effective immediately. Get out.”

I hang up, hitting Dante’s contact.

“Boss?” The greeting is accompanied by a yawn.

“Round up the men. City wide search for Isolde.”

I hear some shuffling. “She’s been kidnapped?”

“No. She left.”

There’s a moment of hesitation. “Uhhh, are you sure this is wise?” There’s an incredulity to his tone that pisses me off. “Pulling in so many people for one woman?”

“Did I stutter?”

“No sir.”

“Then see that it’s done.”

“On it.”

She’s seen the darkness in me. She knows the monster I am now. Yet she still loves me.Love, not loved.

That means she’s mine. I won’t be letting her go.

Go on, Izzy, run. See how far you get before I find you.

26

Let Them Hurt Me

Sometimes I worry I’m forgetting your voice. The memories are fuzzy. Please come home. —Izzy

Izzy

Imovethroughtheshadows, keeping to back alleys; anywhere that’s covered by darkness.

Humiliation burns as hot as the heartbreak that devastates me.

I duck into a convenience store, grabbing a pre-paid phone—I left mine behind knowing he could trace me on it.