Page 21 of Obsession

“I…” My voice faltered at the accusation in his tone. “I didn’t. Not really. I was trying to get her to leave. It seemed odd that she suddenly showed up here, or that she managed to get into this room.”

“You can always trust me.” Riot eased his grip on Lyla’s throat, though he didn’t release her. “I told you I’d keep you safe, didn’t I? That you were mine?”

“You did,” I whispered. “I’m sorry for hesitating when she came here. I wanted to believe she was really my friend and wanted to help.”

“Hollis, don’t!” Lyla’s eyes were wide as she stared at me. “He’s lying, he’ll never let you go! Please, you have to --”

Her words cut off in a choked gasp as Riot’s hand tightened again. “Quiet, or I’ll rip out your lying tongue.”

And I knew he would do it too. No, he might even make me do it. “Please don’t hurt her.”

Although, why I was begging on her behalf I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like she’d tried to stop them from taking me. She hadn’t tried to save me in all this time. It didn’t make any sense for her to be here now. Deep down, I knew she had to be scheming something, and Crash and Kane must be in on it.

Riot’s gaze slid to me, cold and calculating. “And why should I show mercy to this bitch?”

“Because…” I faltered, scrambling for the right words. “Because she means something to me. She was my only friend all these years.”

The words were true, even if I did question her friendship and loyalty. Until the day I’d been sent as a sacrifice, I’d always thought Lyla was a good friend. One of Riot’s brows lifted in a silent challenge. I took a deep breath and steeled myself. It was time to make a dangerous gamble.

“She’s like a sister to me,” I said quietly. “If you hurt her… it would hurt me too.”

I really, really didn’t want to watch him kill her. For a long moment Riot just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then slowly, he loosened his grip on Lyla’s throat. She slumped against the wall, gasping for air.

“Well, isn’t that interesting? Do you think she feels the same? How very sisterly of her to leave you with me all this time. You don’t find it odd that she’s here now?”

I did and I’d even just said as much, which meant Riot wasn’t fully listening to me. I knew Crash and Kane wanted me gone. Had they bribed her to come here? To what end? Were they hoping Riot would catch us and kill us both? I hadn’t considered that until just this moment, but it made the most sense.

I swallowed hard. “I don’t know why she’s here. I really don’t. But if you let her go, I swear I’ll stay with you. You won’t need to tie me down or anything. I’ll be here willingly… for as long as you want me.”

Riot seemed to consider it for a moment before releasing her. He stepped back and opened the door.

Lyla bolted, pausing only long enough to glare at me over her shoulder. “You’re making a mistake, Hollis. You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

Oh, I had an idea. But Raven’s Vale wasn’t a quaint southern town. It hadn’t been peaceful, not since the three psychos came and took charge. Every day, we all lived in fear. At least here, I had an idea of what was going on, and might actually survive this hellish place.

Riot shut the door once more and folded his arms, staring me down. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say or do. I’d already promised I wouldn’t run. What more did he want from me?

“What?” I asked, not able to take his silence another moment.

“You want freedom? Want my trust?” he asked.

“Yes. I’ll do whatever you want.” I swallowed hard, hoping I wouldn’t regret those words, but something told me I would.

“Then tonight, you’re going to prove to me just how loyal you are, Hollis.” He came closer, placing his hands on my waist. “Until then, I’m sure we can find other ways to pass the time.”

My stomach growled and my cheeks flushed. “Um. Could we possibly eat first?”

He took my hand and led me to the kitchen. I didn’t see Crash or Kane anywhere, for which I was grateful. Riot pulled things from the fridge, and I moved a little closer. When I realized he was making sandwiches, I decided to help. We worked in silence together, and I had to admit we felt like a regular couple in that moment.

We ate at the table, but I kept an eye on the door. The last thing I wanted was for Crash or Kane, much less both, to surprise me by showing up suddenly. I wondered if I should voice my concerns to Riot.

“Crash and Kane don’t want me here,” I said. “I promised to stay with you, but what if…”

“What if?” he asked.

“You aren’t here all the time. Sometimes I’m alone. Do you think they would kill me?” I asked.

He paused. “I guess it’s possible. But if they take something of mine, they know I’ll retaliate. I may consider them brothers. They’ve had my back for more than a decade. Doesn’t mean I won’t gut them if I think it’s necessary.”

---