Page 5 of Twisted Obsession

And with that in mind, I ask him the question that’s been burning through my mind. “Who are you? And why are you helping me?”

“My name is Dominic Romano,” he replies, easily.

"And as for why I’m helping you?" He pauses, letting go of my unsteady hand to run frustrated fingers through his dark hair. "Because someone has to. Vito’s actions recently are verging on insane. He has us on the brink of war and is courting unwanted attention from the feds. Let’s just say, not all of us are on board with that."

Dominic Romano. The name echoes in my head but brings no recognition. I’m surprised he’s being so honest and upfront. Is it a ploy? A tactic to gain my trust?

But to what end? There’s none I can make sense of.

He watches me as my thoughts fly, and I almost feel like he can read every one. His eyes, however, reflect something familiar—something I can't quite put my finger on. And now, looking at him in the dim light, I feel a strange sense of connection—a feeling that this man is not my enemy. I hope I’m right.

Vito, the Viper, Rossi, though… he’s a different story. My mind whirs with thoughts of escape, but they’re quickly quelled by an onslaught of nausea that has me clutching my stomach. Whatever the Viper wants me for, I can only hope he knows better than to harm me, not that Dominic’s words give me much reassurance. He’s as good as told me the organization's trust has been eroded by their consigliere’s actions. That’s a dangerous place for any operation. It hints at power struggles and in-fighting. A captive in an organized crime operation that’s about to implode is not a good place to be.

Dominic stands up and heads towards the door. "I'm going to get you some food," he says, and I’m pretty sure he’s picked up on my discomfort and is trying to give me a moment.

A moment I don’t want. Instead, panic surges through me at the thought of being alone and without thinking, I reach out after him. "No, wait! Don't leave…"

He turns to face me again, his brow furrowing and mouth set in a deep frown. "I won't be long, Roisin."

Upon seeing my distress though, he hesitates in the doorway before returning to sit on the edge of the bed, keeping a respectful distance. "I'll call for it instead."

He pulls out his phone from the pocket of his sweatpants and dials a number. I watch him as he places the order for food andhis demeanor changes entirely, suddenly becoming all business, his voice firm and hard-edged. This is the man used to giving out orders.

After hanging up, he slides the phone back into his pocket and turns to face me, his dark eyes meeting mine.

"Are you alright?" he asks softly, concern etching lines into his forehead.

"Just peachy," I reply with as much sarcasm as I can muster. Despite my bravado, my heart hammers against my chest and my hands clench into fists on the quilt underneath me.

He regards me quietly for a moment before speaking again.

"You know, we're not all like Vito," Dominic murmurs. His gaze doesn't waver from mine as he says this. “I guess deep down, you know that. Your brothers have equally brutal reputations in our world, but I expect to you, they’re simply family.”

While his words are meant to reassure me, they only serve to reinforce the gravity of the situation I'm in. Strange how one can be soothed and frightened at the same time by a single person.

Because the brutality of this world, and of Vito Rossi in particular when I consider Orla's fate, is something I know only too well. And in the scheme of things, she was about as low as it’s possible to be.

Whereas me? I’m at the complete opposite end of the scale. If the Viper wants to start a war, sending me home like he did Orla is a surefire way to guarantee it.

The very thought sends terror icing through my veins, and I can no longer quell the urge to vomit.

Chapter

Four

ROISIN

Ididn’t expect to sleep, but I guess fear eventually gave way to exhaustion.

Dominic stayed… at least until I was asleep, but there’s no sign of him now. Although I guess it’s possible he’s on the other side of the locked door I find myself behind.

I feel a sliver of disappointment. I have no idea why I expected it to be unlocked. The bedroom I’m now in is small and windowless, so I’ve no idea what the time is. But the suite I was brought to last night was much bigger, with a lounge and a small, but perfectly formed kitchen nook complete with a coffee maker. I could murder for a cup of coffee right now. Instead, the locked door to this small, but nevertheless comfortable bedroom is a stark reminder that I’m a prisoner here. I can only guess Dominic moved me after I fell asleep.

At least there’s an attached shower room, complete with towels, so I decide to use it quickly while nobody is about. A shower and a glass of water make me feel almost human again, but the sightof the overnight bag I packed to go to Emylyah’s brings tears to my eyes for some reason. I don’t know why.

Cleaning my teeth and dressing in fresh, clean clothes has me about as ready for this new day and whatever it might bring as I’m likely to get.

My stomach grumbles, so when there’s a rattle in the lock, the hope rises that someone’s brought me food.

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