Page 150 of Can You Take It?

Ava continues, describing the horrors she endured. Victor spread rumors about her being pregnant with Will’s child to cover up that he hid his own daughter inside of the basement. The weight of everything she’s saying is becoming too much, but I have to sit here and listen to every word. I owe her that much.

She talks about giving birth to the twins. How Victor only let her keep Izel, and that gave her a purpose to live. Tears stream down her face, and it’s not unnatural for a victim to cry, but it clenches my heart a bit more each time.

When she gets to Isla’s death, she confesses that Victor killed her. I glance at Noah, and he nods. I’m thanking Luna internally for briefing Ava well. No one except me and Luna knows the full truth about Victor, and I want to keep it that way. Though my team trusts me, I can’t ask for their trust when I’m betraying the entire law enforcement system for the girl I love.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” I say, forcing the words out. “But you’re safe now. We’re going to make sure he pays for everything he’s done.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. “When can I see my daughter?”

“Soon,” I say, though my words lack promise. Izel hasn’t said it out loud, but I sensed she was avoiding her mother. I’m not sure if it’s because she drugged her or because she blames her, but I’m soon going to find out. We have a lot of time, and I want to make the most of it.

Noah takes a deep breath and steps forward. “Miss Montclair, I’m going to start the process of placing you in witness protection. It’s the safest option right now, given the circumstances. Victor has connections, and until we have him in prison, I can't guarantee your safety outside of the program.”

I watch as Ava's eyes flash with uncertainty. She knows the gravity of her decision, but there’s a hesitance in her that I recognize. Before she can respond, I cut in.

“That won’t be necessary,” I say firmly, shifting my attention to Noah. “You’re not going into witness protection unless that’s what you want. This is your life, your choice. Tell me, Miss Montclair—where would you like to go?”

Ava looks at me, surprised, and then her eyes soften. “I’d like to go home,” she whispers.

Noah shakes his head immediately. “That’s not an option, Rick. We have a protocol—”

“Fuck the protocol,” I snap. “We’re not going to cage her in again after everything she’s been through. If she wants to go home, she goes home. Our job is to protect her, not to make her a prisoner in some safe house she doesn’t want to be in.”

Noah opens his mouth to argue, but I’ve already made up my mind. I sidestep him and stride towards the exit.

I head toward my desk to complete the paperwork, handing over the case to the officers in Hollowbrook along with the confession tapes and other evidence. Once again, my eyes fall on the Striker case file left on my table earlier. I know I’m not delivering justice to Victor’s victims and their families. But if I disclose him as the Ghostface Striker, I’ll be putting Izel in danger.

The only way I can save her is by killing everyone who owns a badge. And though I wouldn’t mind going that far, her name will always be associated with the dirt Victor left behind.

I’ve always been on the right side of justice, but with Izel, the wrong side feels right. I’m ready to disappoint the entire world if it means she’s tucked away safe with me. I’ll ensure Victor has no means of getting out.

I won’t let him hurt another girl, even if I have to kill him.

Chapter 38

IZEL

I’m in the kitchen, wrestling with a lasagna recipe from a YouTube tutorial. Shouldn’t be so hard, right? Oh, but it is. The damn cheese won’t layer right, and I’ve got sauce splattered everywhere. I finally shove the dish into the oven and let out a frustrated sigh just as I hear the front door open.

“Hey,” I start, brushing flour off my hands onto my jeans. “Uh… I hope it’s not weird me being here. I didn’t feel like being alone at my apartment.”

He takes a second, then lets out a low chuckle, pulling off his jacket and tossing it over the arm of the couch. “Weird? Are you kidding me?” He takes off his shoes, clearly more at ease now. “In fact, I could get used to this.”

I blink at him, not sure if he’s serious, and then he drops the bomb. “Move in with me.”

I nearly knock over the bowl of grated cheese in front of me. “Wait, what?”

“You heard me. Move in with me. I love the idea of having you around all the time. Why are you even surprised? I think I’ve made it very clear where you stand in my life.”

“I… I guess I didn’t expect that,” but something about his tone makes me pause. I narrow my eyes at him, trying to figure out if he’s being entirely serious or if there’s a catch. “Wait, are you sure you want me to move in because you like having me around… or is this just so you can have a live-in booty call?”

“I plead the fifth to that question,” he smirks.

“Of course you do.” I swipe a towel off the counter and chuck it at him, hitting him square in the chest. He just catches it and puts it away.

“What?” He throws his hands up in mock defense. “I didn’t say it was just for that. But hey, if the shoe fits…”

I shake my head, feeling my face heat up a little, and busy myself with pretending to clean up the kitchen mess. “You’re such an ass sometimes.”

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