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“I can't be the reason you die, I can't kill the man who's hurt you. I'm not saving you, Ivy, I'm only prolonging what I can't control.”

Letting my muscles go limp, I said, “No, that's not it at all.” Lifting my chin up, I said, “You just don't know how to take control. You only know how to follow orders.”

Releasing my waist, Dante stepped away, leaving me wishing for his touch. It didn't matter what he was thinking, I still wanted him, I still had feelings for him.

My time here had been worth it, I made choices and had a voice even if it was only for a brief second in time. I had to be okay with that.

There was nothing I could say to change his mind, he'd already made it up.

Walking out of the room, Dante came back after a moment with his hands behind his back. “I don't want to do this, but I have to.”

Nodding yes, I kept my eyes trained on the floor. He was a lost boy like I thought. I could hear it in his voice that he didn't want to follow his orders, but he didn't see any other option out of this.

I didn't want him to die either, I didn't want him to lose his life because of me. Enough blood had been spilled in my honor.

Dante's hand came in and scooped my jaw, turning my head up. “I wish things could be different.” His lips grazed my nose, setting the most tender kiss against the tip. “I'm sorry, Ivy.” The clink came in first, followed by the recognizable feel of cold metal.

My hands had been cuffed.

I was done fighting. There was no point.

Guiding me downstairs, Dante led me outside and to the car. I didn't say another word, there was nothing more for me to say.

I wasn't running, I wasn't going to elude my ending any longer.

The trunk popped open as he hit the button from his pocket, leading me back into the darkness. There would be no more tantrum, no more hate filled words.

This was just my time.

I wasn't giving up, I was accepting where fate had decided I go.

Dante's hand came in and touched my lower back, slipping up and settling between my shoulder blades. “I'll help you in.”

“I don't need your help, take your hand off me.” Lifting my foot, I flopped my body into the trunk. Keeping my eyes off him, I stared at the sky. Tears were nestled and pooling in the back of my eyes, making the sky look swirly.

But I wasn't going to cry, it was time to shut myself off; turn away the emotions that wanted to take hold, remove the feelings that I had let leak in and come to life.

As he hovered over me like the shadow of a hawk flying over its dying prey, Dante held the lid and peered down. “I really am sorry, Ivy, I tried.”

“Yeah, you tried. I hope that makes feel you better.” My soul had sunk into my gut, all my emotions following it down and cowering beside it.

I had nothing left.

No more hope.

No more gratefulness for being here.

No more belief in freedom.

Breathing heavy through his nose, Dante lowered the trunk lid slowly, pushing it down to click it in place. Slapping the roof with one heavy hand, I heard his feet crunch over the gravel and the driver's side door slam shut.

The sound of angry heavy metal barreled through the speakers, turning the quiet space into a vibrating room of hatred.

And as I sat in complete darkness, I closed my eyes, and let the rest of who I was fly freely from my body. I was just a pile of muscle and bone now.

My life was over, but no one would takeme.

That was something no one could have, I would make sure of that.

In this trunk, I freed myself.

Ivy didn't exist anymore.