Page 144 of Arran's Obsession

It was such a contrast to my upbringing where Mum would tell us she loved us multiple times a day. We were showered in hugs and affection.

Audrey and Arran had nothing but pain dividing them.

Arran would’ve seen this video for sure. His mother’s tell-all led to her death, and he would’ve watched it knowing that this vibrant woman was doomed to die. It made me want to find him and hug him. It made me want to forgive him anything.

“Genevieve?” Alisha appeared at the door.

I dried my eyes. “Alisha.”

“Actually, it’s Rachel.” She gestured to herself.

Oh, her real name. I gave a watery smile, happy to know it.

She beckoned. “I wasn’t planning on doing this, but he asked and now I see the point.”

“Who asked?”

“Roscoe.” At my blank stare, she grumbled. “There was me thinking you were paying attention. Arran’s man?”

Stumbling to my feet, I followed her, faking recognition. Roscoe was Shade’s real name, then, because Convict wasConnor, I’d already discovered, and the only other man who Arran kept close was Manny, who I’d spotted in the security room. Weird thing was, I’d assumed Shade had gone with Arran on their outing, but more, my mind was stuck on Audrey. On her bravery in making a video that called out the chief of police for abusing her for so long.

The lift descended. It was only when Alisha and I were exiting it that I realised it was working again. And where we were.

The basement.

I hadn’t been down here since the night I’d wandered into the game, though it had featured in one or two of my dreams. Alisha guided me along the corridor and unlocked a door. Then we were out into the wide-open concrete expanse, most of the lights off with shadows deep, and the air several degrees colder than upstairs.

I crept through, hugging myself and suddenly chilled. “Why is he down here?”

“Arran didn’t tell you, then. Figures.” Tapping the key on her palm, she paused. “I’d like to think I was wrong about you, but I learned a long time ago to trust my instincts.”

“What do your instincts say about me?”

“That you need what’s about to happen.”

Something was wrong. I backed up a step, twisting to eye the way back to the lift. There was no way I was staying down here. Especially in my shaky-as-fuck state when my senses were working overtime and screaming danger. It was only the fact I’d made a mistake in panicking earlier without need that held me in my place.

Leaving it too late to help myself.

Alisha opened the door once more, stepped through, and locked it again. Alone in the space, I spun around.

A tapping came from the metal gantry above.

I raised my gaze, and a man appeared. Bloodied and bruised, he was barely recognisable, black eyes swollen almost shut and a limp in his slow walk. Not Shade, though. I was certain of that.

“Genevieve,” the beaten man said in greeting.

Handcuffs clinked, loose on one arm, and obviously partially unlocked by someone. They swung over the tattoo of a snake.

With slamming, awful realisation, I knew who he was.

I’d been locked in the basement with Convict.

Chapter 42

Arran

Empty, rain-slick roads directed us into an industrial district on the outskirts of Newcastle, our hunting ground tonight. This city had a problem with cocaine dealers targeting the student population, so tracking down drug supplier, Jordan Peters, had been easy. Lots of people to bribe and more who happily gave up information for free. At least Convict had handled that right. I couldn’t think about his betrayal and how he had probably been working more for the Four Milers’ benefit than mine.

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