Page 149 of Obsession

I gritted my teeth in anger.

“Unbelievable,” I groaned, and he glared at me. “That’s almost exactly the same answer he gave me when I asked him.”

He didn’t like being compared to Harris, that much was clear.

“We’ll discuss that later. Right now, we need to take care of this mess before your father gets home.”

When I got angry again, he put his hands on my shoulders to calm me down.

“I will tell you everything you want to know, I promise, but now is not the time. You’re already shaken by what’s happened here.”

“I’m not that fragile, don’t worry.”

The corners of his mouth twisted into a smile. The gesture seemed bizarre.

“Yes, I know that very well.”

I shuddered. I didn’t want to know how many details he knew about my life or how much he’d studied me… just like Harris had.

“I want to check the house again, then I’ll take these sheets with me. As far as I can tell, I’ll have to take the mattress too.”

I swallowed hard and just nodded.

“Go to the bathroom and throw some water on your face. I’ll take it from here.”

I didn’t contradict him; I didn’t have the strength. Then I realized how bad I looked, sweaty and with a wet T-shirt. I went into the bathroom and leaned over the sink. I closed my eyes, lowering my head to avoid looking in the mirror.

You’re doing the right thing… you’re doing the right thing.

The voice in my head repeated itself, the same one I had heard when I had seen the pool of blood. I was doing the right thing to ensure my father’s safety. Getting Harris into trouble was the last thing I wanted, but…

My thoughts vanished into thin air. What I felt hurt like hell, the realization that I was gradually losing my trust in him, and I was afraid. I was terrified.

My phone buzzed, and I took it out of the case on my arm. I had it there all the time, even my headphones were still hanging around my neck. I always chose the wired version; I would have lost the wireless ones in two days.

I winced when I saw that it was him calling me. His name on my screen had a jarring effect on me, and I was unable to hang up.

I wanted to hear him… I wanted to confront him. I hadn’t called him the first time, I’d been too scared and shocked, but now I’d calmed down a little and knew the situation wouldn’t stay that way.

I picked up and put the phone to my ear.

I didn’t say anything.

“Baby…”He sighed, and I closed my eyes. Around him I heard honking, he was probably driving.

“Can we talk, please? I just want you to listen to me for a bit.”

He seemed calm, tired. Either he was a very good actor, or he had no idea what had happened to me. I thought it best to hang up on him, exclude him out of it, because he would only make things more complicated.

A knock on the door made my heartbeat even harder. If he’d heard Shane here, God knows what would have happened.

“Not yet,” was all I said to make sure Shane wouldn’t come in.

Harris sighed.

“Okay,” he sighed again, and I couldn’t believe he agreed so quickly, “just tell me you’re okay.”

My eyes instantly filled with tears. I was so not okay that I wanted to scream, but not because of him. At least I hoped not.

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