Page 110 of Dual

She stays frozen, seemingly overwhelmed by everything I've dumped on her. I don't have time for her to process---Pavel's men could be watching us right now. I grab her arm and haul her up, ignoring her resistance.

"Fuck," she hisses. "Why do you have to be sorough?"

I keep dragging her toward the front of the bar, my grip tight. "Sorry, kid. Not all of us were raised to live in cotton candy houses with peppermint dreams."

Once we hit the sidewalk, she yanks out of my grasp. "Wow, you really are a bitch. And there's just one little problem with yourbrilliantplan."

I cross my arms, irritation flaring. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

She smirks, and I notice her wiping sweat from her palms onto her jeans---a nervous tell. "We got married. The priest and me."

For once, I'm genuinely caught off guard. My mind reels, calculations and contingencies crumbling. "Well, shit."

Married? This complicates everything. Breaking up a relationship is one thing; ending a marriage is a whole different game. Pavel won't be satisfied with anything less than a complete separation. How the hell am I going to make this work?

But I don't have time to process this bomb she's dropped because a white van suddenly screeches to a stop right next to the curb. The doors fly open, and six men in black gear and face masks spill out like cockroaches.

My stomach drops as they grab us. I recognize Pavel's men immediately, the way they move, the efficient brutality of their grips.

I kick, instinct taking over. Moira screams beside me. We both fight like hell, but we're outnumbered and outmatched.

It doesn't matter.

We're dragged into the van, kicking and cursing, and the doors slam shut behind us.

I barely have time to breathe before the van takes off.

Fuck.

Pavel must have been watching the whole time and knew I was failing. Knew I couldn't convince her that easily.

And now we're both paying the price for my failure.

THIRTY-FOUR

DOMHNALL

I walkthrough Carnal’s doors for Kira’s baby shower, trying to leave behind the hollow feeling that’s been chasing me since Anna—no, Mads—walked out. The club’s transformed for today, fairy lights twinkling above the normally shadowy furniture. Bright, colorful balloons are tied to chairs. There’s a spread of food that would make any caterer proud. It’s all so goddamn cheerful I want to tear it down with my bare hands.

I force my shoulders to relax and plaster on what I hope passes for a neutral expression. I’m here for Kira. For Isaak. Not to broadcast that my entire world is crumbling beneath my feet.

“Don’t look so thrilled,” Quinn deadpans as I approach, handing me a plastic cup of what’s clearly not alcohol. “You’re bringing down the whole vibe.”

I accept the cup, forcing the corners of my lips upward. “I’m a bloody delight.”

She snorts but mercifully moves on, greeting some other guests coming through the door.

The truth is, I’m not here. Not really. My mind is stuck in a loop, replaying the moment Mads walked out. The way she looked at me like she was memorizing my face. The way she saidMaybe it’s time to get a new life.The finality in her voice. The sound of the door clicking shut behind her.

I check my phone for the hundredth time today. No calls. No texts. Nothing but the mocking silence of abandonment.

But I know her. I knowthem. She’ll be back. This is just another game, another test, another way of pushing me to see if I’ll push back.

Except this time, she pushed too far, and I said things I didn’t mean. Things I can never take back.

You’re fucking toxic. You’re everything I’ve been running from me whole fecking life!

I hate you.