Page 71 of The Dark Stranger

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She was here hours ago.

Laughing.

Safe.

I moved upstairs.

Her bedroom door was slightly open.

I stepped inside.

The bed was unmade from earlier — a soft indentation in the pillows.

I sat on the edge.

Elbows on my knees.

Hands gripping my hair.

“Fuck,” I breathed.

I was supposed to be there.

I was supposed to prevent this.

I protected presidents’ daughters.

I dismantled trafficking rings across continents.

And I couldn’t stop this.

I saw her in mymind.

That night.

When I carried her inside this very house.

Laid her down gently.

Brushed her hair back from her face while she slept.

I’d sworn in that moment no one would ever touch her again.

And I failed.

“Boss.”

Jace’s voice cut through the dark.

“I think you need to see this.”

I stood instantly.

“Tell me you found something.”

He didn’t answer.

Which meant he had.

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