Page 68 of Pretty Stolen Dolls

I’m poison.

This dark cloud called Benny follows me wherever I go, wreaking havoc on the lives in my world.

“Let him go…”

“He shouldn’t have preyed on you when you were a little girl. I remember that picture with his scrawny arm slung over your shoulder like he owned you. Sick fuck,” he seethes.

All thoughts of Dillon dissipate.

Bo.

No!

“I bet he couldn’t wait to swoop in and prey on your loneliness,” he snarls. “Did you miss me? I missed you.”

“Don’t hurt him. Benny, please.”

“Benjamin!Benjamin!Benjamin!”

“I’m sorry,” I choke in defeat, once again back to the broken doll he made me.

“Not yet, but you will be.”

“Please, Benjamin.”

“Goodbye, dirty little doll,” he growls. “I’ll be coming for you soon.”

When I pull into the Stop N Save parking lot not even five minutes later, I know it’s too late. He’s gone. I clamber out of my vehicle with my gun raised and run to the payphone. Hot tears roll from my eyes as I let out a sob of defeat. There’s a burner phone propped up on loud speaker with the payphone next to it.

He wasn’t here the whole time we spoke. I never had a chance at getting here in time to catch him.

Bastard.

Bo.

I’m still standing guard, protecting my crime scene, when three squad cars and Dillon’s unmarked Crown Vic squeal into the parking lot.

“There,” I point at the payphone, my entire body shaking. “Check for prints and then find the bastard in the system.”

Two strong arms pull me against a solid chest and I collapse as he holds me tight.

“Shhh,” he murmurs into my hair. “I have you. You’re safe now.”

Our colleagues process the scene while Dillon coaxes information out of me. I relay the entire conversation, detail by detail. When I finish and meet his gaze, he’s frowning.

“Baby…” he trails off.

Even now, stressed to the max, his word soothes me. “What?”

He closes his eyes for a moment before meeting me with a sad gaze. “The woman, the witnesses at the hospital from the hit-and-run vic…she described a black truck. Even remembered part of the license plate and gave it to the staff at the hospital. It didn’t take long to see who the truck belonged to.” He swallows hard.

“And?”

“Did you recognize it at all?” His brow is furrowed and he’s holding onto me like I’m about to crumble.

I am.

“Uh, it happened too fast,” I say, my voice hoarse. “I was in shock. The truck was too far ahead by the time I gave chase. Why?”

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