Page 46 of Arran's Obsession

“Had to get up for work soon anyway. Nothing from Dad. I drove around all his usual haunts and asked after him. Nothing.”

“I did that, too. He should’ve shown up by now.”

My brother cracked a bottle and took a swig. He had a thing for freezing cold water. Room temperature made him grumpy like it was a personal affront. “He’s done three weeks in the past. Remember when he got a windfall and went on a bender with friends? I picked him up from hospital.”

I sank against the pillows. “He doesn’t have any money this time. At least not that I know of, and he’s rubbish at keeping secrets. Where could he be? I’ve racked my brains and have no idea.”

“Same. I tried the police and the hospitals, too. Nothing, and no unidentified bodies. Thank fuck.”

My heart ached. “I didn’t even let myself go there. I’m worried.”

As flaky as Dad could be, he loved us. He’d loved Mum, too. He often said.

My brother went quiet. “I saw the eviction notice. What the fuck has he been doing with our rent?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have the faintest idea how we’re going to pay that amount.”

“I’m paying Moniqua’s rent. I can’t swing much more our way than I already am.”

I clamped my jaw to stop my retort about his freeloading girlfriend because that wasn’t the point. Paying the missing rent wasn’t on him. “I have my savings?—”

“No. Don’t you dare. I’ll come up with something.”

My brother was the only person who really supported my dream to follow in Mum’s footsteps and go into nursing. He’dtried to give me money from overtime in his construction job, but I’d never accepted. He found other ways, though. Buying our food and paying bills without me knowing. It meant I could save most of my hourly wage. I had it all hidden away. If we had no other choice, I’d use it.

“Who’s the friend?” he said suddenly.

“What?”

“You said you’re staying with someone. Far as I know, you don’t have any friends.”

“Mind your own business.”

“If it’s a guy, I need a name.”

Cassie’s comment about overprotective brothers came back to me. “Why?”

“So I can make sure he isn’t a scumbag. I know people in the city, most I wouldn’t want anywhere near you.”

Presumably from hanging around with Moniqua. “Still not telling you.”

“Just tell me it isn’t Don. I don’t pay much mind to that fucktard, but Moniqua said he made a remark about you. I haven’t seen him around but I’ll break his fucking face if he tries anything. He’s seriously bad news.”

So was the gang leader keeping me prisoner. I shuddered at a strange thought—if Don was looking for me still, somehow, I was far safer here than at home.

“It isn’t him.”

“Good. By the way, what the fuck happened to my leather jacket?”

Making excuses, I got off the call. I could’ve asked him for help, but Riordan would hate Arran on sight. The picture that painted in my mind was red with a bloodbath.

For his part, Arran thought I was affiliated with a rival gang. I’d watched his face fall then his attitude change, and I didn’t have the faintest clue of how to fix this.

Worse—I wanted to. Badly. His lack of faith made me inexplicably sad. It made no sense considering trust between us had never risen beyond a base level, but it was there and insistent. Just as much as the desire that haunted me.

I tried to ignore him by losing myself in my phone.

Mum’s death and us moving to Dad’s city lost me my friendship group, so I was lacking a bestie to chat with, but I was in a group with people starting the college course I was desperate to attend. Even their conversation couldn’t stop me from noticing Arran and getting stuck on watching him.

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