Page 41 of Twisted Obsession

That tiny piece of paper pressed into my hand before he gave me up to the safety of my brothers, saying to get in touch if I ever needed him.

And I want to. I ache to.

But to do so would be to sign his death warrant and I love him too much to risk that.

“And that gives you the answer to how you truly feel.”

Emylyah’s words bring me back to reality. Shit, did I say that out loud?

Seems like I did.

I heave out a sigh, knowing what I have to do. Whether I like it or not. “You’re right. And I’d rather live in a world knowing Dominic exists somewhere in it, even if it’s not with me, than one where he ceases to be.”

That really would be too much for my soul to bear.

I end the call with Emylyah, promising to get in touch again if I need to, and I will. I know I’m going to need her friendship and good sense to help me through this, as I delete Dominic’s number from the burner phone and do my best to put him out of my mind.

Yet rather than forget him, I instead live with my twisted obsession. Imagining him everywhere. Yearning to see him, speak to him.

Knowing it’s impossible.

Except suddenly, just as I’ve come to learn, in the blink of an eye, things change, and the world is turned on its head.

Chapter

Nineteen

ROISIN

The rumors surface first. I try to ignore them. Not to get my hopes up, because this news isbigand will go a looong way to helping me with the unsettled feeling that constantly surrounds me, even though I try my damnedest not to consider whether I’m still in the Viper’s crosshairs.

I know he never wanted to let me go. Knew he felt like he’d been robbed of something he should have. And like he said himself, he always gets what he wants.

Since he wanted me and was thwarted, I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But if this istrue…

I hardly dare to believe.

Except, that evening, my brothers are almost vibrating at the dinner table.

I can't help but notice the glances they keep exchanging. Something's up, and I have a feeling I know what it is.

Finally, Callum can't contain himself any longer. He slams his hand on the table, making the dishes rattle. "Roisin, you're not gonna believe this."

I raise an eyebrow, trying to keep my face neutral even as my heart starts to race. "What?"

Ciaran leans in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Vito Rossi–The Viper–is dead."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I grip the edge of the table, suddenly dizzy with relief. "Are... are you sure?" I ask, wondering if such a life-altering benefit can really be true.

"Positive," Ciaran says. "We’ve been trying to confirm the recent rumors, and our sources are rock solid. Apparently, he was found in his own living quarters at LCN with a bullet between his eyes. Poetic justice, if you ask me."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. The relief is so overwhelming it's almost painful. For the first time since my release, I feel like I can breathe freely.

But as my brothers continue to talk about the implications of the Viper's demise, a wave of nausea washes over me.

I force myself to focus on the conversation, to nod and smile at the right moments. Inside, my mind is racing. With the immediate threat of the Viper eliminated, I know I should feel nothing but relief. I figure it must be a side effect of the overwhelming sea of emotions I’m feeling, which are breaking over me like tidal waves.

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