Page 37 of Searching for Valor

“I-I can’t risk it. If they have my babies…” The rustling sound came again, like Monica was checking over her shoulder. “Listen, I have to go. I’ll try to contact you again when I can.”

“Wait! Monica, please. Let me help you. We can go to the state police, the FBI, someone...”

“No! You don’t understand the reach these people have. I’m not bringing anyone else into this.”

“Okay, just tell me where you are. I’ll come get you. We can figure this out together.” Izzy gripped the phone tighter as if she could physically hold onto her friend through sheer force of will.

“I can’t. But, Izzy, you need to promise me you’ll drop this. Forget I called and, for the love of God, donotgo digging around into Julian’s background. If you start asking questions, he’ll know, and he’ll come after you.”

“Monica—”

A choked sob. “I’m so sorry. I have to go.”

“Wait!” But the line went dead.

Izzy stared at the phone in shock.

What the hell was going on?

This Julian Graves guy was dangerous and powerful. Monica had taken something from him. And now he was after her, possibly holding Grace and Noah as leverage.

But what could Monica have that was so important to a man like that? And why wouldn’t she let Izzy help her? They’d been through so much together over the years. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her best friend.

She squeezed her eyes shut, drawing in a shaky breath.

Think, Izzy. Think.

Rylan had been looking into Julian Graves.

Her eyes snapped open at the sudden thought.

And now he was suddenly MIA, not responding to any of her calls or texts. A sickening sense of dread coiled in her stomach.What if something had happened to him? What if he’d gotten too close to the truth and Julian had done something to him?

No. She refused even to consider that possibility. Rylan was too smart, too capable, to let himself get caught unaware.

But… he also wasn’t at his best right now.

The fear hit Izzy like a sledgehammer. She frantically dialed Rylan’s number again, her fingers trembling. It rang and rang before going to voicemail.

“Rylan, I know you’re screening my calls, but I need you to call me back. It’s important.”

She ended the call and immediately redialed. Still nothing.

“Dammit, Rylan. Pick up!”

Her mind raced with terrible possibilities. What if Julian had gotten to him? What if he was hurt or worse? The thought made her feel physically ill.

She paced the small laundry room, debating her options. Part of her wanted to rush over to his place immediately to check on him. But another, more rational part knew that wasn’t a good idea. If Rylan wasn’t in trouble and just avoiding her, she’d look insane.

No, she needed help. Someone she could trust. Her finger hovered over Ash’s number, but she hesitated.

No, not Ash. He was too by-the-book, and he might not even believe her after everything that happened.

Who else could she turn to?

Someone discreet, someone with resources...

Zak.

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