Page 39 of Twisted Obsession

He looks around the room, making eye contact with each of us, including his right-hand man, Ares. “I think the best thing we can do is put this to bed and move forward, using the circumstances to ensure we take La Cosa Nostra in the direction we need it to be heading in, and rebuilding as many broken fences as we possibly can.”

He spears Kaiden and me with a look. “For your part, I want eyes on the Maguires at all times. I want to make sure they’re not planning any kind of retaliation.”

So, this is the future. No one disagrees. Even if the bittersweet truth is that I’ll be forced to watch Roisin moving on with her life.

Chapter

Eighteen

ROISIN

For the first time in my life, I have to force myself to leave the compound.

For so many years it’s seemed like a prison. Like my freedom was something ephemeral that couldn’t be trusted.

It took being imprisoned for real, having my freedom truly stripped away, to make me realize how much I'd taken for granted. Now, the compound feels like a sanctuary and I'm terrified to step beyond its walls.

But I have to. I can't let the Viper win. I can't let what happened define me.

So I move past it through sheer force of will. Arranging to meet up with Emylyah and go shopping, just like I used to.

I have Liam as my permanent companion. Driving me, protecting me. Always by my side.

I’m pretty sure there’s another security detail trailing us, too. One I haven’t been informed of. I know how protective my brothers are. A single guard would never be enough to appease them. I suspect they simply don’t want to freak me out by sending a posse along with me.

The tall, iron gates creak open, and I flinch at the sound. My heart races as we drive onto the street, despite the tinted windows of the bulletproof vehicle I’m riding in.

I tell myself it's just a normal day. Just a regular trip to Fifth Avenue. Nothing to fear.

But as soon as I’m on the street, my eyes dart everywhere, searching for threats. Scanning faces in the crowd. And then I see him—Dominic—standing on the corner, watching me. My breath catches.

I blink and he's gone. Just another stranger who bears a passing resemblance.

It's not the first time this has happened. Not the first time I've imagined him lurking in the shadows. There have been several times I’ve drawn my curtains at night or looked out to admire the beauty of a day, and thought he was there. My mind playing tricks on me.

Sometimes I almost wish it were real. At least then, I'd know I’m not going crazy.

I force myself to keep walking, to act natural. But inside, I'm screaming. Part of me wants to run back to the safety of the compound and away from the constant feeling of being watched. Which is ridiculous, because I know I’m being watched. By Liam, by the security team, and undoubtedly by a second team, sent by the Bratva to ensure Emylyah is safe with me. I half expectedher husband, Nikolai, to forbid her from meeting with me under the circumstances. Since that hasn't happened, I’m determined to keep our usual routine.

Not that there’s been any opportunity for me to confide in her, since Liam is always with us like a big cat on the prowl. Watching, waiting, ready to pounce at the first sign of danger… or the first admission of anything untoward out of my mouth. Even at home, I suspect my suite is under some kind of surveillance, if the speed with which someone intervenes if I ever have a nightmare, or a crying jag, is anything to go by.

I push through the crowded sidewalk, my eyes darting from face to face, searching for threats—or for him. Emylyah chatters beside me, her voice a soothing constant that I cling to like a lifeline. I nod and smile at the appropriate moments, but my mind is elsewhere. Thankfully, I don’t think Liam can tell.

We duck into a high-end boutique, the familiar scent of leather and perfume enveloping us. As Emylyah browses through racks of designer clothes, I find myself drawn to a display of scarves. My fingers trail over the silky fabric and suddenly, I'm back there, in that room, Dominic's hands ghosting over my skin. Dear God, I miss him.

"Roisin?" Emylyah's voice snaps me back to reality. "What do you think of this one?"

I blink, forcing a smile as I turn to examine the dress she's holding up. "It's lovely. The color suits you."

She beams but there's a flicker of concern in her eyes. I know she can sense something's off, but she doesn't push. That's why I love her—she knows when to let things be. And she knows how to be discreet.

As we move through the store, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror. I hardly recognize myself. My eyes are haunted, dark circles beneath them despite the concealer I carefully applied this morning. I look away quickly, not wanting to dwell on the changes in myself. Most people would put it down to my ordeal, I know. But it’s not that. I know in my heart of hearts it’s because I can’t get Dominic out of my mind.

Suddenly, a man brushes past me, his cologne eerily familiar. My heart leaps into my throat as I whirl around, half-expecting to see Dominic's piercing gaze. But it's just another stranger, already disappearing into the crowd outside the shop.

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. Janey Mack, this needs to stop! I’m obsessed with the man. Awake or asleep, he haunts me.

Emylyah touches my arm gently. "Are you alright?" she asks, her voice low enough that Liam can't hear.

---