Page 29 of Obsession

“Fine. Just get it to me.” I stood and went back to Hollis. She’d already started sipping her drink, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the look on her face. Her nose wrinkled, and she faked a gag after every swallow. I drained half my beer and watched her. She managed to finish her drink and I got her another. If I was going to chip her like a wayward puppy, then it might be better if she were drunk off her ass first.

Although, the idea of her fighting back and having to restrain her excited me. I loved her spirit. Even when I could see the fear in her eyes, she didn’t back down. She’d done her best to face me head-on, and not many people in this town could do such a thing. It was part of why she fascinated me.

I’d given her glimpses of my past, told her a few sob stories. It didn’t take much to make her sympathize with me. I’d twist and mold her into the perfect woman to remain by my side. But there was only so much I could do… If Hollis hadn’t already had a darker side, then I never could have convinced her to kill anyone.

Once she’d had enough to drink that she could barely stand, I lifted her into my arms and carried her home. Stripping off her clothes, I cuffed her to the bed. She was so out of it, she didn’t even question why I’d done it.

By the time Ben arrived with the tracker, Hollis had been asleep for more than an hour. I took the items from him, listened to his quick explanation, and then dismissed him. After I locked the door, I prepped the tracker and then inserted it in her thigh, just under her ass cheek.

Rubbing the lump, I hoped she wouldn’t notice it, or that it would burrow deeper on its own. It wouldn’t do me any good for someone to spot it and draw her attention to it. Then again, if she wore something short enough for them to spot it, I’d have to kill whoever saw her that way. And as they said, dead men couldn’t tell tales. I’d found a blade across their throat was an excellent way to silence someone.

“Sweet dreams, Hollis.” I took off my clothes and wrapped myself around her. Breathing in her scent, I closed my eyes and smiled a little. I’d been taming her a bit at a time, and she hadn’t even realized it.

Now that I had Hollis right where I wanted her, I’d have to deal with Crash and Kane… but that was a problem for another day. For now, I’d enjoy watching the different emotions play across Hollis’ face. From fear to excitement to hope and even what I assumed was love… with Hollis, every day brought something new. I didn’t think I’d ever grow bored of her, but if I did… Well, I’d cross that bridge when I came to it.

Chapter Eleven

Hollis

Riot had been gone for hours, and I could no longer wait for him. Making my way downstairs, I listened intently, hoping Crash and Kane were gone as well. I tried not to leave the room without Riot, but I hadn’t eaten lunch, and it was now nearing dinnertime. There was no way of knowing when Riot would return, and I was starving.

“Going somewhere, Hollis?” Crash asked from behind me.

I tensed and glanced over my shoulder, seeing both him and Kane. Before I had a chance to second-guess myself, I bolted. I knew it wasn’t likely I could escape them, but I had to at least try. I didn’t make it far before Crash wrapped his arms around me, yanking me up off the floor.

“Get off me!” I screamed, struggling to break free from his grasp. But he was too strong.

“Riot won’t save you this time,” Crash whispered into my ear, his words making my blood run cold. They dragged me through the house and out onto the streets.

I didn’t dare scream. For one, it wouldn’t do me any good. Not unless Riot was nearby. And second, it might draw unwanted attention. What if Crash and Kane had people out here waiting to help in the event I did manage to get past them? I could barely hold on as it was. If anyone else decided to take a few swings, or worse, I wasn’t sure I’d last.

They forced me to keep moving, not stopping until we’d reached the edge of town. In the distance, a building loomed ahead, its decaying walls seeming to mock me with their crumbling facade. As we entered the derelict structure, horror began to twist its tendrils around my heart. What did they want from me? Why had they brought me here?

Crash shoved me into a chair, the rickety wood groaning beneath me as they bound my wrists and ankles with coarse rope that bit into my flesh, drawing blood. Panic surged through me as I realized there was no escape -- not from these sadistic monsters, nor from the terror that threatened to swallow me whole.

“Comfortable?” Kane snickered, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey.

“Fuck you!” I couldn’t let them see how scared I was right now. I knew that would only make things worse.

“Feisty little thing, aren’t you?” Crash remarked, smirking cruelly. “Riot must’ve had his hands full.”

“Leave him out of this.”

“Sorry, sweetheart.” Kane leaned in close. “But you’re our ticket to breaking him. And we won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to get what we want from you. Crash and I may be killers, but we’re different from Riot. Not once have I detected any humanity in that bastard.”

My heart pounded violently against my ribcage. I couldn’t let them win. No matter what they did to me, I had to protect Riot, even if it cost me everything. What would they do to him if they discovered he treated me gently? It was one thing for them to think he’d grown attached to me, but I doubt he’d ever shown a tender side to either of them.

The flickering fluorescent light overhead cast ghastly shadows on Crash and Kane’s faces as they loomed over me. A cold sweat clung to my skin. I had a feeling I wasn’t getting out of here. Not alive at any rate. Would Riot be the one to find my lifeless body?

“Tell us, Hollis. What the fuck did you do to him? Why hasn’t he killed you like all the others?”

“Nothing!” I cried out. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Riot’s never given a damn about anyone before,” Kane said, pacing with restless energy. “So why the hell would he start caring about some pathetic little bitch like you? From what I can see, there’s nothing special about you.”

“I don’t have to tell you shit.” I glared at them. If I could just keep them talking, then maybe Riot would return and realize something was wrong.

“Watch your mouth, girl,” Crash warned. “Or we’ll find a way to keep it shut for you.”

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