Page 136 of In Shadows We Dance

"Get Nico." I don't wait for him to speak. "I need you both here. Now."

A pause. "What kind of mess are we making?"

"The kind that brings federal agents running." I move through the house, gathering what I need—cash, the burner phone I keep for occasions exactly like this. My mind fills with images of her waiting, alone,mine. "I need chaos, Monty. Beautiful, vicious fucking chaos."

"Fuck." He laughs, and I hear the familiar excitement in it. This is why we're friends. Heunderstands. "How big are we talking?"

"Big enough to make them think I'm losing my mind." I check the monitors again. More shapes between the trees. More eyes watching. Good. "Make them think the pressure's gotten to me. That I'm ready to burn it all down."

"You know Nico's gonna want to use actual explosives."

"Whatever works. Just keep them busy. Keep them looking here while I get away." My reflection grins back at me from the window. "By the time they realize their mistake, I'll be gone."

"Knew the feds couldn't keep you away from her forever."

"She's mine." The words come out like a prayer and a death threat combined. My fingers trace over the dried roses under the glass on my desk, remembering how she felt beneath my hands. "And I'm going to tear apart anyone who tries to keep her from me."

"What do you need?"

My mind races with possibilities, with ways to make them regret ever thinking they could keep her from me.

"A car. Something untraceable. Leave it at the abandoned Carson farm, keys under the back tire." I study the monitors, anticipation burning through my veins. "And I need you to givethem a show they won't forget."

"You want us to blow shit up?"

"I want you to make them thinkI'mblowing shit up." My smile widens as I imagine finding her, watching her realize I've torn apart everything to reach her. "Give them the unhinged rich boy they're expecting. Make it look like something inside me finally snapped."

Every second without her feeds the darkness clawing at my insides. I want to hunt down every agent who's touched her, who's made her run, who's forced her to hide. I want to take them apart piece by piece until they understand exactly what they've awakened.

"Thirty minutes enough time?"

"Make it fifteen. I want to hear them screaming before I hit the tree line."

Monty exhales slowly. "You know they'll come after you hard for this."

"Let them try." The laugh that escapes me doesn't sound human. "They have no fucking idea what I'll do to get her back."

She’s mine. Always mine.

I move through the house, gathering what I’m going to need, before I walk out the back door and into the trees, letting the darkness swallow me whole.

Let them chase their ghosts. Let them think they've pushed me over the edge.

By the time they realize their mistake, I'll be gone.

And then?

Then I'll show them exactly what happens when someone tries to take what belongs to me.

I'm coming, Ballerina. Wait for me.

Time to become the monster she needs me to be.

CHAPTER 69

Sacred Shadows

ILEANA

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