Page 114 of The Daredevil

Logically, it didn’t make sense, but the scattered pieces of meunderstoodit. Still in bed, I stared at the ceiling, feeling sorry for myself, which I knew was a bad idea. I was human, and I could feel crappy and have bad days.But that didn’t mean life ended.

Life went on after a breakup. Everyone had gone through some type of suffering, and my life wasn’t defined by a man.

I had a splendid life, a fabulous career, and dreams of traveling the world. Just because my heart was in pieces didn’t mean I couldn’t achieve everything else. I could glue my heart back together piece by piece. In doing so, I’d make it into a better heart, a stronger one.

Bolting up from my bed, I switched my mindset from gloomy to grateful. Ready to seize the day, I walked into the bathroom and organized a plan: a good workout to start my day, order some delicious food, and then binge some TV shows. I was in the mood for some crime shows where I could be the anti-hero who went after those who had hurt me. Yup, that sounded like a superb plan. Then the next day, I could hang out with my girls and vent.

Already feeling better, I put on my workout clothes and glanced at my phone.Ugh.I cursed myself for not remembering to charge it last night. I blamedhimfor upsetting me.

I drove down the street to the local gym instead of walking because I needed my car for shopping later.

Don’t look. Don’t look.

I glanced at my phone one last time. No message from Royce. No voicemail or email either. Why did I do this to myself?

Because you’re in love.

He’d gotten under my skin—no, even deeper than that. It would take extensive surgery to extract him.

While checking my email, I noticed I’d missed an email from Kiera. She’d emailed all of us girls to thank us for helping with the charity. Between Royce and Remington, they donated a total of two million dollars to the charity. It was the charity’s largest donation to date.

Royce donated one million for the five shirts I’d made for him. Would he wear them now? Royce and Remington had loads of money, so one million for each of them was nothing.

Still, it was a generous donation that deserved my gratitude. I should thank Royce. Maybe after my workout and shopping spree when my heart didn’t ache so much.

I found off-street parking right in front of the gym, got out, and prepared to enter the building when shouts erupted across the street.

“Get the fuck off!” My friend Viktor was struggling with three men. One of them punched him while another covered his face with a cloth. The third man opened the side door to a van and shoved Viktor in.

It happened so fast and petrified me. I got in my car, dialed 911, turned on the speaker, and placed my phone on the passenger seat while I tried to catch up to the van.A part of me couldn’t believe this was happening. Fear knotted my stomach as concern for Viktor spiked.

The operator picked up. “911. What’s your emergency?”

I told the operator the situation, and that I was following the van, but keeping my distance.

“Do you have the license plate? Can you describe the car? What street are you on?”

“I can’t get close enough to see the plates. The van has a red star painted on the side. They’re turning down Francis Street, passing the Providence Place Mall.”

“Okay, miss. Thank you. We have police heading that way. You should—”

“Hello? Hello?” I looked over at my black screen.

Shit!My phone died. I’d forgotten to charge it last night. I probably had a charger in my trunk, but there was no time for me to stop the car and search for it. Those critical seconds could cause me to lose sight of the van.

I prayed the police could locate the van before something awful happened. Adrenaline pumped through me as I concentrated on the white van that was two cars in front of me.

Was Viktor okay? Who were these men? Why did they kidnap him? I didn’t know Viktor well, but I’d met him, spoken to him, and he was nice to me. Now he was in danger. Any normal human being would try to help.

If I were kidnapped, I hoped someone who witnessed it would try to help me.

As I kept my gaze on the van, fear had me grasping for hope and safety. Royce’s face popped into my mind. Would I get the chance to hear Royce’s voice, hear him explain? Tears filled my eyes.

No time to cry, Michelle.

The tears came anyway. I’d tried to stop loving him by counting all the bad things he’d done. Only one incident hurt me. Before that event, he’d been the perfect man for me.

Love was a force of nature; it couldn’t be stopped when it was real and raw. How could I stop the sun from shining? Love was that bright light that gave life to everything. It warmed my heart, healed me, and gave me the courage to reclaim myself.

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