Page 111 of Can You Take It?

“You played us all, didn’t you? Smiling, pretending to be innocent, while you were plotting everything. You’re nothing but a cold-hearted killer.”

I wince at his words, each one feeling like a physical blow. The pain is overwhelming, both physically and emotionally, but what hurts most is seeing the hatred in his eyes. I hate how, even now, with his fingers inside me and his hands around my throat, a twisted part of me still craves his touch. It’s disgusting, and I loathe myself for it.

When he sees that I’m not going to defend myself—because honestly, why should I? He won’t believe me any more than Luna’s father did all those years ago—his grip tightens even more. The pressure is almost unbearable. I can feel the blood rush to my head, the sharp sting of my wound pulsing with each beat of my heart.

His fingers dig deeper inside me, and my back bows against the cold countertop. It’s twisted, the way my body reacts to him, even as my heart breaks and I feel the shards cutting deep.

I convulse around his fingers, the orgasm tearing through me with brutal force. I gasp, the sound choked by his hold, and he doesn’t stop, riding out every last wave until I’m a trembling mess.

Then, abruptly, he pulls his fingers out and the lack of air starts registering.

“I can’t breathe,” I choke out.

But Richard doesn’t flinch. Instead, he tightens his grip, and my vision blurs. Tears well up in my eyes. He barks again, “Where is Luna?”

“Fine, fuck, she’s at... at the old warehouse on fifth Street.”

Richard loosens his grip just enough to let me breathe, and I cough, gasping for air. He pulls back, unlocking the cuffs from my wrists, and I slump against the counter, rubbing my throat, feeling the blood on my fingertips. My throat aches as my fingers brush over the fresh bruises forming beneath the warmth of my blood.

“So, what now?” I rasp, glaring at him through the pain. “You’re going to arrest me?”

He steps closer, his eyes dark and filled with something far more dangerous than the law. “Icouldlock you up, but that'd be too easy.” His voice drops. “I’d rather see how far you'll run before you realize you can't escape me.”

Chapter 29

RICHARD

Gripping the steering wheel, I bark orders at the team.

“Get your asses to the old warehouse on Fifth Street.”

Hell, I hate this world, this job, and especially myself. Fuck, I can’t stand the thought that I let her go, but at the same time, I’m so in love with her that arresting her felt like slicing my own heart out.

I gave her a shot, a chance to run, to escape the cuffs. Tomorrow, though, I won’t be so generous. Tomorrow, I’ll arrest her, and fuck, I need to vent. I need to bang something, anything.

The car skids to a stop outside the warehouse. I slam the door shut, hard enough to rattle the frame. Colton, Noah, and Emily are already there with their guns drawn. I kick the door open, pouring my frustration out. Luna’s still tied to a chair, unconscious. In hushed tones, I instruct them to follow me.

“Keep your eyes open,” I mutter, leading them through the dark, dank warehouse.

Reaching Luna, I crouch down in front of her, my hands making quick work of the ropes binding her to the chair. I grab her wrists and rub them gently, stimulating blood flow back into her bruised wrists. Her skin is cold, too cold.

“Colton, get her to the hospital,” I instruct.

He lifts Luna gently and carries her out. I watch him go, and as the door swings shut behind them, I turn my attention back to the warehouse that Izel probably used for most of her operations. I should search the place for clues, but what good is it going to do me? Anything related to her is only going to make me miss her more.

Noah walks up next to me, his eyes scanning the room. He’s looking, but not really looking, like he’s lost in his own thoughts. Hell, that makes two of us. Nothing in my life makes sense anymore. Not since Izel.

“You’ve heard from Izel?” Noah asks.

I lie without missing a beat. “I’ve been trying to reach her for hours. No luck.”

Noah frowns, clearly not buying it. “Rick, you should look at the details of the case. There’s something…”

I brush him off, not wanting to deal with his questions. “I’ll get to it, Noah. Just...not now.”

Noah is about to press further when I hear a faint noise. It’s so subtle, I almost miss it. A soft, shuffling sound coming from the far corner of the warehouse.

“Did you hear that?” I whisper.

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