“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.
