Page 32 of Forbidden Obsessions

“Wow. Now,thisis a party. How nice of you to join us, Professor,” he says, clapping him on the shoulder like an old acquaintance. In another life, they could be two friends, getting ready to go golfing together. Nathan strolls by us, a handgun pressed firmly against Mia’s lower back.

Vanessa and I sidestep, letting them pass into the room. Mia is silent, save for her shallow breathing, giving away her terror. Tomas shuts the door behind us. I can tell he’s trying to work shit out in his head.

It’s an unspoken fact that he can’t get us all away from Nathan’s clutches without one of us taking the fall for it. “Oh, Professor,” Nathan sighs, guiding Mia to sit in a leather officechair across from the bed. “Olivia’s still a spoiled fucking brat, and you’re still a narcissistic prick who believes everything is about him.”

“Oh, but isn’t it all about me? This is all about me having toys, like Olivia, that you want.” Tomas taunts nonchalantly. Nathan’s scowl deepens as Tomas folds his arms, leaning against the door frame.

Nathan cocks the gun. Vanessa hangs on to the sleeve of my dress as I instinctively shuffle to rush to Mia’s side, holding me in place. Mia closes her eyes, trembling, as Nathan pushes the barrel harder against her back. A mix of tears, snot, and makeup trail down her face. My heart breaks yet again tonight. I can’t fucking take it.

“Let her go and take me. You want to punish Tomas? It’s me you want,” I scream, loosening Vanessa’s grip. I hear Tomas yell something, but I can’t stop or look at him. I’ll change my mind if I do, and it’s too late for that.

Nathan’s massive palm seizes me by the neck. I cough and sputter as his bruising grip crushes my trachea.

“You’re wrong, DeLuca,” he spits, removing the barrel from Mia’s back and resting it against my temple instead. I steal a glance at Tomas and die inside. So much agony in those honeyed brown eyes.

“I love you,” I mouth to him. My knees tremble so much, they threaten to give out. I’d be on the floor if it wasn’t for Nathan supporting my weight.

“How so?” Tomas asks, holding my gaze.

“You said toys, as in multiple. The only person I want is Vanessa.” Nathan turns his icy blue eyes on her.

“This is about your stepsister, Nathan? You’re more fucked up than I initially thought,” Tomas marvels.

“Well, you’re preying on a twenty-year-old college studentagain,DeLuca. I think you know, better than anyone, you can’t help who you love,” Nathan snarls.

“He’s not preying on me. I chose him, and you sure as fuck saw that last semester.”

“Shut the fuck up, whore,” he spits, saliva landing on my lips. He cracks my cheek with the barrel of the gun. My arm aches as I shift my weight. Blood drips from my cheek, soaking my arm and the floor beneath me.

Tomas inches closer to me. Nathan delivers a swift kick to my ribs. I curl into the fetal position, coughing and crying. As Tomas hovers above me, Nathan trains the handgun on my temple again.

“Do you not realize, the closer you get, the more she’s going to hurt, Tomas?” I cower between both sets of feet, accepting my fate. It doesn’t matter, though. Tomas almost died for me once. Seems like it’s my turn now.

“Nathan,” Vanessa commands. Our eyes flit to her piercing glare, shooting daggers at her tormentor. He relaxes his arm marginally, his undivided attention on her.

“Be honest. This is about us—not them.Us.You want me?” She purrs, strolling toward him seductively.No, don’t this, Vanessa.But I can’t bring myself to say it aloud.

His mouth parts as she lewdly strokes his gun. Tomas and I look at one another in a mix of horror and relief. Nathan’s lips turn up in a smirk as the barrel disappears into her mouth. “You dirty girl. If you wanted foreplay, all you had to do was ask,” he tsks, shaking his head. She withdraws the barrel with a pop. My skin crawls watching this fucked up scene. I just want to get out of here.

The three of us watch in stunned silence as Vanessa pushes the barrel into Nathan’s waiting mouth. “Go,” she whispers. Panicflares in Nathan’s frosty blue eyes. He grabs her wrist, but it’s too late. Tomas helps us to our feet and whisks us through the door.

Not a minute later, the gunshot sounds. I sob, praying for someone I never thought I would. She better have fucking shot Nathan and get to walk away from all this.

Chapter Fourteen

Tomas

The girls huddle together, trembling, in my backseat. The emergency entrance comes into view. Olivia makes a disgruntled noise of protest. “No, Tomas. Home. Take mehome,”she enunciates, like it will change my mind.

“Absolutely not. You need a doctor,” I tell her with finality. Her eyes bore into the back of my head, probably plotting my death, but I don’t care. Her safety, and Mia’s, too, are my primary concerns.

“You are a doctor,” she seethes.

“I’m not qualified to be a part of your care team, Olivia. Boundaries.”

“Oh, but sneaking around to do my mom’s chemotherapy without telling me is kosher, right?” I understand her anger. I just thought I would have more time before this blew up in my face.

“I never said it was right, Olivia. We’ve had a whirlwind night. We should talk after we’ve eaten, showered, and slept.” She rolls her eyes. I’m glad her attitude seems to be in working order.

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