Page 88 of Obsessed Heir

What kind of person does he think I am? My stomach churns, and bile rises in my throat. I can’t even defend myself because Miss Opal is so private about her medical issues and how that has affected her life. I’m not about to betray her trust and out her condition to her son if she isn’t ready to tell him.

I hold the medallion against the electronic sensor, the muted buzz releasing the first lock. A door opens somewhere behind us as I punch in the numbers to open the second lock, desperate to put some space between us.

“Barron,” a man’s voice calls out as I enter the suite.

“Not now,” he snarls with impatience.

I turn and find that pissed-off expression back in place—the one that has become all too familiar the past couple of days. God, if I never saw it again, I wouldn’t miss it. At this point, I’ve come to despise that look more than anything else in the world.

Without stopping to think twice about it, I shut the door, putting a solid barrier between us. He’ll have to work on the lock if he wants to come in after me. A petty move, but I’ll gain a few extra seconds.

“Damn it, Abigail,” he snarls from the other side.

Ignoring his curse, I scramble to my room. I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t want to see him. And I definitely don’t want to deal with the weight of that icy stare I could feel aimed between my shoulder blades as I walked away.

Hopefully, James could find my clothes. If so, should I bother changing? Wearing this outfit all day would cut down on the clothes I’d have to buy.

I enter my room, heart pounding, and swiftly lock my door. The front door slams shut a second later. I freeze, holding my breath, straining to catch any sound that might signal he’s coming after me.

A full minute crawls by with my heart slamming against my rib cage. There are no enraged footsteps coming down the hall, no cursing at being locked out of his own suite. Just eerie silence screaming in my ears, adding to my anxiety.

I scan the room, but my clothes aren’t on the bed or dresser. Which means James didn’t find them. Or maybe he’s gone ashore. I glance out the sliding glass doors. With James leaving the curtain open, I can see the buildings right next to the ship.

With the shops this close, there should still be time for me to head down and find something else to wear.

I haul my backpack onto the bed. My nerves are on edge as I fumble with the zipper. I pull out my credit card and zip it up. The rasp of the metal teeth coming together practically fills the room as I debate my next move.

Inching to the door, I strain to hear any noise that will give Barron away. I ease it open a crack, checking the hallway before venturing out. Everything remains quiet as I tiptoe into the living area, finding it empty.

I’m halfway across the room when I have a realization. Miss Opal would call me out on my childish behavior. She’d remind me this is no way for a lady to act, no matter how upset she may be.

I take a calming breath. I’m intent on following through with my plan to go shopping, despite the man who turned my world upside down.

The last few feet to the entrance, it’s as though I have that overbearing jerk breathing down my neck. Closing the door behind me, I struggle to swallow the knot of anxiety stuck in my throat.

As I reach the mirror, flashbacks of what he was doing to me there hit me one after the other. His hands on my body, his whispers in my ear, his demanding kiss…

I had a front-row seat to all of it, including my own embarrassing reaction to every single thing he did to me. For the second time in as many days, I’m vividly recalling what that man’s fingers do to me…and regretting ever letting it happen.

How could he be touching me like that then accuse me of stealing from his mother in the same breath? The thought makes me feel dirty, awful. I smash my thumb against the button for the elevator, purposely avoiding glimpsing myself in the damn mirror.

The elevator ride down is the next hurdle. How did things go so wrong so fast? I was standing in his arms, reveling in his attention a few minutes ago. He made me feel so safe, cherished in a way I’ve never known. Tears burn behind my eyes for the rest of the ride down.

I make it through the lobby, my heart racing as I approach the security checkpoint. What if they don’t let me off the ship? I wasn’t supposed to be here to begin with. And I’m not sure if Holly or James are on board. Though I’m not sure I’m ready to face him after this morning.

The line is a lot shorter now, so we move along quickly. My heart is thudding against my ribs as I reach the stern-faced security officer.

“Scan your medallion,” he says, his voice clipped and professional.

Beep.

He checks the screen on his side then glances over my features.

“Enjoy your time ashore,” the officer says, “Remember, you have one hour before we sail.”

“Thank you.” I check the time on my phone, the warning ringing in my ears.

Going across the long walkway is a challenge in itself.Don’t look down. Don’t look down,I chant to myself. I stay in themiddle of the covered bridge, avoiding the worst of the drizzle and the dizzying view of the waters below.

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