Page 559 of Dark Love

“That’s not Plant,” Dyce says what I’m thinking. “He looks similar. Close enough to fool Marlie, while giving Plant an alibi.”

“An air-tight alibi.” Shock flips the screen over to the police department feed where Plant is joking around with a dozen other cops at the exact same time.

“That isn’t good, is it?” Dahlia asks.

“No, Dahl, it isn’t.” The likelihood of finding her just dropped.

“That guy is wearing makeup… and a prosthetic.” Imogene points to our kidnapper.

And they dropped even more. “Shock, tell me you can track this guy.”

“I’m trying, but this guy is a pro.”

“Does that mean you can’t save her?” Dahlia turns to me with expectant eyes.

Time for some hard truths. “Most likely not. If Shock can find her before they transport her out of the country, there’s a possibility. But once they do that, it’s almost impossible.”

“Transport? Out of the country? You don’t think Plant is putting her in a hole somewhere.”

A hole would be easier to find. I shake my head.

“Is there anything we can do once that happens?” Imogene asks.

“One thing.” Well, more like one person can. “But it will most likely be a pointless endeavor. Women that leave the country like Marlie might be doing right now don’t live long.”

“We have to try.” Dahlia squeezes my arm. “We have to try.”

“We will. If Shock doesn’t find them, I’ll make a phone call.” Won’t Torment love that. But he’s the best tracker in the world. If anyone can find her, he will.

Your Mother’s Basement

Vex

There’s no point in staring at Shock’s back while he does his thing to try to find a ghost, which is exactly what that man turned into 3.5 seconds after he grabbed Marlie.

“You know I can walk.” Dahlia snuggles into my arms as I walk back to my office again.

That’s debatable, but it doesn’t matter. I still can’t stand the thought of her being even an inch away from me. Fright and anger at the thought that she needed me and I was too far away from her, still flows through me. “You can do it later.”

“I love you, Vex.”

My arms clench around her.

“All I could think of was you when I was afraid. You make me feelsafe.”

“Dahl.”

She lifts her head up off of my shoulder. “Finding out that you were trying to protect a woman who you don’t even know when the world wouldn’t makes me love you even more.” She reaches up and sets a hand on my cheek. “The world thinks you’re a criminal, but I know you’re a hero.”

“Dahl.”

“But you’re still just a man. And you can’t put all the responsibilities of the world on your broad, beautiful shoulders.”

“You think my shoulders are beautiful?”

“Of course they are. Now let me finish.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I’m going to kiss those stubborn lips of hers as soon as we get to my office.

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