Page 15 of Can You Take It?

I haphazardly toss my clothes aside, yanking them from my bag and scattering them across the floor in a frenzy. One by one, I empty every pocket, shake out every folded piece, then check underneath, hoping to spot that familiar screen. But nothing. My phone is nowhere to be found. Did I drop it somewhere? Did someone steal it? The possibilities are endless.

A few minutes later, Richard knocks on my door. He’s dressed now, thankfully, and there’s a steely resolve in his eyes.

“We need to talk about this.”

I cross my arms, not in the mood for a lecture. “Talk about what? You stealing my phone?”

He steps into the room, shutting the door behind him. “I didn’t take your damn phone. I have no reason to.”

I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Oh, I’m sure FBI agents are all saints with impeccable morals.”

He grits his teeth, clearly losing patience. “This isn’t about my job, Izel. It’s about trust. You need to understand that I’m not your enemy here.”

I take a step closer, unable to control the anger bubbling within me. “Trust? You expect me to trust you after you've been holding me hostage in your house?”

Richard, his anger slowly subsiding, takes a step back. “Is there someone you need to call? You can use my phone.”

I roll my eyes at the offer. “I don’t need your phone or your fake concern. Just leave me alone.”

I don’t wait for a response. I’m done with this whole situation. I start walking in the opposite direction, away from Richard, but he has had enough of my mistrust. In a swift, almost predatory move, he pushes me against the wall, his face dangerously close to mine. His anger flares up, and he gives me a warning that sends a shiver down my spine.

“You don’t want to test me, Izel. You’re in deeper than you realize, and I can make your life a living hell. You need my help, whether you want it or not. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. But make no mistake, crossing me is the last thing you want to do.”

The threat in his words is crystal clear, and I’m left breathless, trapped between the wall and his unflinching eyes. The roomfeels suffocating and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just crossed a line that I’ll regret.

Chapter 6

RICHARD

I find myself caught in the uneven depths of Izel's eyes, and for a moment, I’m lost in their beauty. With a fire in her gaze and unyielding strength, she challenges me. She’s fearless, pushing back despite the growing danger.

But I’m also aware of the power dynamic at play here. As an FBI agent, I hold a position of authority, and I’ve just threatened her, not once, but twice. If she wanted, she could make my life hell, have my badge, and even my ass on a platter. It’s confusing to me that she doesn’t seem to understand that I can’t use my authority to intimidate her, no matter how difficult she’s being.

I want to apologize, to somehow make her see that I’m here to help, not to add to her troubles. But honestly, in my seven years as an FBI agent, no one has ever pushed me this far, made me this angry. I get that she’s dealing with a lot, but that doesn’t give her a free pass to turn my job and my life upside down.

Without breaking eye contact with Izel, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. I dial Noah’s number.

Noah’s voice comes through on the other end, and I get straight to the point. “Noah, Izel’s phone is missing. Do you have it with you?”

There’s a brief pause, and I can feel Izel’s gaze on me, watching my every move.

“No, I don’t have it. She didn’t have it at the crime scene, either. Did you check the apartment thoroughly?”

“I already did. It’s not there. Find that phone and let me know as soon as you do.”

Noah promises to do his best, and I hang up, still never breaking eye contact with Izel. My phone call might have eased her concerns about me stealing her phone, but it’s clear that we’re far from being on the same page.

“You’ll have your phone first thing in the morning.”

I can hear her breathing pick up, her heart racing, and it’s clear that this phone means more to her than she’s letting on. I lean in closer, so close that my lips are dangerously close to hers. That’s when she finally nods in agreement.

I can’t believe I almost kissed her. What the hell was I thinking? I need to get my shit together. This whole situation is messing with my head.

I scold myself mentally, cursing my lack of control. We’re in the middle of a murder investigation, and here I am, getting dangerously close to crossing a line with a potential suspect. Fuck, I should know better.

I take a moment to collect my thoughts, glancing at Izel, who’s still maintaining her act of strength. She acts all tough and unshaken, but the moment a man gets anywhere close to her personal space, she goes on the defensive.

I’ve noticed it before, and I can’t ignore it now. It’s like she’s been through something that’s left her with a deep-rooted fear.

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