Page 129 of Arran's Obsession

“What do you mean okay?”

She gestured between us, her legs either side of my hips, her free hand over my heart. “Things are changing between us. It’s moving so fast I can’t keep up, but even the thought of not being with you for a day is unbearable.”

“Entirely,” I agreed.

For a beat, she just watched me, her lips parted as if ready to say words she couldn’t quite manage. “I need to ask you something.” She took a shuddering inhale. “Do you love me? I mean, could you?”

“No.” The refusal came easy. “That isn’t a word I understand, and I have no place for it.”

Her shocked expression had me sitting up.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m obsessed with you. I intend to possess you for all time. You’re mine, do you understand? Love has no use for us, and we don’t need it.”

I kissed her again, stealing her warmth and finally feeling something was right.

Gen made an angry sound and broke away, shoving me back. She climbed off me. “Then we have a problem, because I’m falling in love with you.”

I stared back. “No you aren’t. Or if you are, you need to stop. It’s just the game.”

“God, Arran. The game? This is a real relationship.”

“Call it whatever you want, just leave love out of the equation.” I threw my hands out, hot under the collar. “I’ll give you everything. My protection, a home with me, the degree you want—I’ll drive you there and back every fucking day, every part of my life. It’s yours.”

“But not your love.”

“I’m not withholding it from you. I don’t have the capacity. I never received it, and any sentiment like that was beaten out of me. Don’t ask for something I can’t give.”

Her chest rose and fell, her scrutiny intense. “That is the most tragic thing I’ve ever heard. Not that it happened, though that’s bad enough, but that you won’t even try.”

She left the room without a backwards glance.

In the living room, I found her on the sofa. She wouldn’t meet my gaze.

After an awkward beat, Shade spoke. “Catch us up with what happened after your arrest.”

“Chief Constable Kenney needed me for show and tell,” I said.

Methodically, I filled them in on the reason for my arrest and the information he’d given me on the sex offenders he hoped we’d hunt. Shade made a note of the names.

Genevieve curled in on herself.

I took her hand, clamping down when she tried to pull away. “He shared something about Cherry. She was pregnant.”

Fresh shock filled Genevieve’s eyes. “That’s awful.”

Completing the explanation, I told them how the man responsible would never be known.

Genevieve excused herself for a moment to use the bathroom, then returned, her cheeks damp. She took a deep inhale. “That’s made me so fucking angry. What right have they got to cover it up like that? I’ve got some information to share. I think I’ve identified who Cherry’s wealthy customer was. The one she expected the night she died and was bringing a friend she was scared of.”

Everyone watched her.

“Don’t ask me how I found out, but I’m reasonably certain that councillor Slaughter was that client. I’ve no idea who the friend was, but the counsellor’s a suspect.”

“Slaughter.” I drew my eyebrows in and tracked back to the few previous conversations I’d had with the man. Nothing stood out.

Gen gave an unfunny laugh. “Aptly named, isn’t he?”

“He’s a customer of the brothel. I’ve met him. Can’t say he left an impression, but it’s good to know.” I took up my phone that I’d collected from my office and tapped out a message. “I’m passing a warning on to Alisha so security can stop him coming here.”

---