Page 136 of The Dark Stranger
If someone else has her—
That changes everything.
Everything.
Behind me, I hear movement.
Izzy.
“You’re sure she’s gone?” he asks, his voice low.
Too low.
I turn slowly.
And there it is.
That look. That concern. For her.
Something ugly rises in my chest so fast it almost chokes me.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, my voice dropping.
He looks at me, confused.
“I’m just asking—”
“No,” I cut in, stepping closer. “You’re not just asking. You sound fucking worried.”
“Iam worried,” he says, like it’s obvious. “If she’s out there—”
My laugh is sharp and bitter.
“Wow,” I mutter, shaking my head. “That’s what you’re focused on right now?”
He frowns.
“Jenna—”
“No, go ahead,” I snap. “Say it. Say how concerned you are about her.”
“That’s not what this is—”
“Then what the fuck is it?” I fire back. “Because last I checked, she was the problem. She was in the way. And now she’s gone, and you look like that’s the worst thing that could’ve happened.”
His jaw tightens.
“That’s not what I said.”
“You didn’t have to,” I shoot back. “I can see it.”
Silence hits hard between us. Tense. Sharp. Dangerous.
Cesario steps in before it goes further.
“We don’t have time for this,” he says firmly. “We have multiple missing assets, a compromised operation, and an unknown group that just hit us clean.”
He’s right.
