Page 106 of Obsessed Heir

Chapter Forty-Three

Abigail

The door slams open behind us, the force making it rebound violently off the wall. Sucking in a breath, I whirl to find Barron barging in, his eyes blazing with an intensity I’ve never seen before.

“What the hell is this about you leaving?” he growls, glaring at me before shooting his mother is quick glance. His focus snaps back to land squarely on me, demanding an answer.

“Barron,” Miss Opal reprimands, appalled at his intrusion.

I stand, shoving my trembling hands deep into the pockets of the robe as I draw in a steadying breath.

“I think it’s best if I get off at the next port,” I force out in a small voice, thanks to the ball of emotion stuck in my throat. He must have learned about my plan to leave from Holly, which likely means I’m on my own. “I’ll find my way to the airport.”

Confusion and hurt well up inside me. First, he was adamant I never should have been on board to begin with. He couldn’t wait to get rid of me. Now that I’m actually leaving, he’s furious.

“I’m going with her,” Miss Opal adds firmly.

“You aren’t going anywhere,” Barron snarls. He strides forward, pulling my arm as he swoops down and lifts me off my feet then sets me over his shoulder in one fluid motion.

I’m so stunned all I do is let out a strangled shriek of surprise as the world flips upside down. My heart stutters in my chest. What is he doing? I reach out wildly, trying to grab on to anything, but there’s nothing within reach in the empty room, and he’s moving fast.

“Barron, stop,” I cry out, my voice muffled and frantic against the plane of his back.

“Barron, what are you doing?” Miss Opal’s worried voice comes from beyond the curtain created by my hair.

“I’m getting her to stay,” he informs her gruffly, his long legs eating up the carpet between my room and the hallway. “And you too,” he adds in a tone that brooks no argument.

“Oh,” she responds, sounding entirely too pleased with the sudden change in plans.

I try to pull myself upright, but his large hand lands on my backside with a resounding crack.

“Keep your head down if you don’t want to lose it.” His voice is cold as he issues the menacing warning.

I gasp at the sharp sting radiating from my butt cheek. With no way to retaliate, I’m left with nothing to do but dangle helplessly, the ends of my hair brushing his legs with every step.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” I mutter, anger and humiliation warring within me. Gritting my teeth, I slap his firm backside as hard as I can.

My fingers land squarely on the edge of the wallet he has tucked into the pocket of his jeans. Wincing, I shake my hand as if it’ll stop the pain.

Angry, I slam my palm down again on the other side, but without leverage, the effort is wasted.

We’re sweeping past the living area when I catch sight of Holly waiting at the front door. A smile spreads across her face as my cheeks go up in flames.

This is sure to haunt me forever.

“Oh my God, Barron. Put me down,” I demand through gritted teeth, hot tears of embarrassment burning behind my eyes.

The stubborn, infuriating man remains undeterred. He rounds the corner swiftly, continuing down the hallway. His pace increases as he gets closer to his bedroom.

The knob rattles then he throws the door open with enough force that it ricochets, coming to hit his shoulder. I fold my arm over my head for protection.

Barron doesn’t even break stride, barreling through the doorway as if he didn’t feel the impact at all.

At last, he bends down, setting my feet on the plush carpet with a gentleness at odds with how he’s been manhandling me.

I sniffle, swiping my fingers over my temples and across my eyebrows in an attempt to clear away the tears that escaped on the way over.

Barron straightens, stepping backward toward the door, but his heated gaze never leaves my face. Does he honestly think I’ll make a run for it? As if I could get past him without him catching me.

---