Page 31 of Forbidden Obsessions

“Vanessa?” Compared to how loud this place was tonight, it’s too quiet. I can barely hear the music that’s been blasted all night. My stomach sinks lower as Vanessa doesn’t respond.

Crawling on my hands and knees, I feel my way around the room.The clothes rack. The dresser. Finally, the door.Hesitant, I press my ear to it, praying for a clue to the outside world. There’s some faint music and laughter, but nothing that provides me with the information I need. I’m going to have to be patient or hopeful or make a run for it.

It’s probably stupid, but I decide to make a run for it. The only illumination in the hallway is the stupid fucking strobe lights. I feel like I’m having a fever dream. The wall supports me as I head toward the bathroom. I stop short, seeing a group of figures in front of the door.

“Liv? We’ve been so worried,” Mia cries, wrapping her arms around me.

“Shhh,” I hush, looking around. My mouth falls open as I watch Tomas slam Vanessa to the wall, her head bouncing off of it. “No, no, no, Tomas. Stop,” I yell, pushing my way out of Mia’s arms.

“Olivia?” He turns, stunned. Vanessa rubs her head softly as she slides down the wall.

“What did you do?” I rush to my knees, cradling Vanessa. No, no, no. “We need her,” I say to Tomas hopelessly.

Tomas kneels. “No, we don’t. We need you. I’ve been so fucking worried.” He envelops me in a tight hug, but it provides me little comfort right now. Nathan is still out there, biding his time and watching this whole thing from the shadows.

“I know, but we’re not out of the woods yet. We need to get her and ourselves somewhere,” I whisper, looking around.

“We still haven’t found Lex,” Mia swallows. I don’t want to split up again, but we may have to.

“We leave Vanessa here, find Lex, and get the fuck out.” Tomas is already moving to stand, pulling my arm.

“No,” I scream. “I’m not leaving her, Tomas.”

He looks at me like I have two heads. “I don’t understand. You’reprotectingher now?” He asks incredulously.

“You don’t understand,” I tell him. Vanessa could be lying through her teeth, but after everything she’s told me, I choose to believe her.

“She’s untrustworthy. Didn’t you see how she raked me through the coals?”

“She made a mistake, Tomas. You two made the same mistakewedid. The only difference is a psychopath used it to his advantage.We’re chess pieces in a narcissist’s game. She’s been trying to protect me tonight, and she deserves the same.”

“Goddamnit,” Tomas mutters, raking a hand through his messy hair.

“Mia, call nine-one-one. We need to get somewhere safe,” I call, gently shaking Vanessa. Mia springs into action, rattling off the address to the dispatcher.

Vanessa stirs, stretching out her legs with a slight groan. “Tomas,” she mutters. My fists ball at my sides. We’re beyond jealousy and hatred. It’s not going to help either of us.

“Olivia told me what happened. Thank you for trying to protect her. We’ve called nine-one-one. We’re going to get somewhere safe.” Vanessa nods.

Tomas and I wedge her between us. She hobbles along weakly. “Does she have a concussion?” I ask.

“Probably,” Tomas admits, looking stricken.

“Wait, where’s Mia?” She’s vanished. I feel like a sitting duck up here—utterly exposed. Tomas moves to the railing of the staircase, leaving me with Vanessa, watching silently and gripping my neck.

“No, “ he seethes. “Get into that room, lock the door. Don’t open it until I say the word.”Our safe word: tulip.

“What’s going on?” I ask before Tomas turns for the stairs.

“Someone is sending the police away,” he says through a strangled noise. He sprints to the landing, then pauses, watching the front door helplessly. I can’t make out many details, but there are two cops talking to someone and laughing by the front door. The walls close in as I watch them shake someone’s hand and turn to leave.Fuck.

Nathan turns slowly from the door, locking eyes with us as he does. The dread intensifies as I recognize the fistful of blond hair he uses to pull the girl closer to him.

“Tomas,” I whimper.

“I know, apple. I see. Go inside,” he grits. But I can’t move. Vanessa tenses next to me. I readjust my grip on her reassuringly, silently reiterating that I won’t throw her to the wolf.

“Come up here, you fucking coward. It’s me you want,” Tomas booms, garnering attention from a few people along the stairs. They scurry away as Nathan climbs the stairs, a wide-eyed Mia complying by his side.

---