Page 221 of The Dark Stranger

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“Rebecca,” he says, “I’m going to ask you one more time.”

“Who rescued you?”

I stare at him.

And I make a choice.

“All of you can go fuck yourselves,” I say, my voice hard and clear. “You have no idea who you’re fucking with.”

The room goes silent.

Jenna’s eyes widen.

Cesario’s grip on the gun tightens.

Lionetti doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink.

Then he smiles.

“I see,” he says.

He stands and walks toward me. Slow. Deliberate.

He stops in front of me and looks down.

“You’re brave,” he says. “I’ll give you that.”

“But bravery won’t save you.”

He turns to Jenna.

“Make her talk,” he says.

Jenna’s face lights up.

She steps forward, grabs my hair, and yanks my head back.

“Who is it?” she hisses, her face inches from mine. “Who the fuck was it?”

I don’t answer.

She slaps me again.

Harder this time.

My vision blurs.

“Answer me!” she screams.

I spit blood and look her in the eye.

“You’re pathetic,” I say, my voice quiet. Deadly.

“You’re so fucking pathetic.”

Jenna’s face twists with pure rage.

She hits me again.

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