Page 71 of Can You Take It?

I can’t help the stupid grin that spreads across my face. It feels like a teenage crush all over again, and it’s sickeningly sweet. But it’s also a rare glimmer of warmth in my otherwise messed-up life. For the first time in a long time, I feel a little less alone, a little less like a goddamn outcast.

I was thinking about prolonging the identity of the Striker for as long as I could. But now, things have changed. I need to steer Richard in the direction I want, guide him through the maze with just enough clues to keep him chasing. I have to play this right because I want that holiday at Costa del Sol with him. I can almost feel the sun on my skin, the waves crashing nearby, andfor once, a life that doesn’t feel like a never-ending torture. It’s time to set the pieces on the board and lead him exactly where I want.

My phone rings, shattering my reverie, and I let out a low curse. Who the hell is calling now, ruining my moment of happiness? With an annoyed sigh, I snatch up the phone and answer.

“What?” I practically snap into the phone.

The voice on the other end is familiar, but not in a comforting way. It’s the last person I want to hear from right now. “We need to talk.”

Talk? Seriously? I’m on cloud nine after what happened tonight, and this guy wants to talk? I roll my eyes, frustrated.

“Can it wait, Martin? I’m kinda busy. Besides I almost got caught talking to you earlier,” I mutter, hoping he’ll take the hint and back off.

“After having me do all the dirty work, you’re the one that’s busy, Izel? Are you kidding me?”

“Martin, you’re ruining my day,” I retort. I was on the verge of celebrating, and now he’s crashing the party.

“What were you thinking, Izzie? That girl you are messing with is not just any officer; she’s an FBI agent working with the lead agent on Ghostface Striker’s case.”

“I know,” I hiss.

“And she knows everything about you. Like, literally everything.”

I snap at him once more, my patience dwindling to nothing. “I know, Martin! Don’t rub it in.”

He tries to reason with me, his tone more somber. “Do you seriously want her to go through everything you went through? You’re better than that, Izzie.”

I take a deep breath. “I can’t let Richard find out. If the truth comes out, I’ll be locked up for good. And what I’m puttingher through is like half of nothing compared to what I’ve been through.”

Martin goes quiet for a moment. “Speaking of Richard, Agent Reynolds came by my office the other day,” he says finally. “Asked me questions about the SteelSinner.”

“But that news was out ages ago. The FBI didn’t even dig deep enough to find his side business.”

“Yeah, but apparently Reynolds did, and he was alone when he came. No backup, no team. Just him, asking questions.”

“So, he was the only one with that information,” I mutter, more to myself than to Martin. “No one else knows.”

A few years ago, Martin set up that tech business to link himself with Charles, a move that would’ve been a red flag if anyone in the police department had bothered to pay attention. They didn’t, though. Typical. I tried telling them once—gave them the whole story on a silver platter—but they treated me like a fucking freak. So, I stopped talking. Let them figure it out themselves. I wasn’t going to keep begging to be heard.

“Why is he protecting you, Izzie?” Martin’s voice snaps me back to the present.

I know why. Fuck, I know exactly why. But I can’t let Martin in on that. He doesn’t need to freak out like I am right now.

“He doesn’thaveto protect you. If he starts playing the hero, this whole case is going to go cold again. And then what? We’re back to square fucking one,” Martin presses.

“I know,” I admit, biting my lip as I think through the implications. Richard’s protection might mean he’s trying to shield me from something bigger, but it also means we’re risking everything. If this case goes cold, everything I’ve fought for, all the shit I’ve been through, will be for nothing. But just as I’m about to explain my plan—or lack thereof—I hear a sickening screech of tires in the background. Panic seizes me as I clutch the phone.

“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, glancing towards the door. “I’ll have to call you later. Someone’s here.”

I disconnect the call and start moving towards the door. Whatever’s about to happen, it better not be more bad news. I can’t handle any more surprises today.

A uniformed officer strolls through the front door. Richard had assured me that I’d be alone. This makes absolutely no sense.

“Agent Reynolds has demanded that you come with me to the bureau,” he states with a solemn expression etched on his face.

I nod reluctantly and follow him to his car. The whole way there, my mind races with fear and uncertainty. If Richard knows, what does he know?

We arrive at the bureau, and the pit in my stomach grows deeper. My instincts scream at me to run, to get the hell out of here, but I know that if Richard doesn’t know the truth yet, my sudden disappearance will only raise more questions. So, with a heavy heart, I follow the uniformed officer inside. As I step further into the room, I spot a man sitting with his back to me. Even though I can’t see his face, I know who it is.My grandfather.

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