Page 35 of Insane Obsession

“Fernando.”

“Fernando. What a beautiful name.” I try not to cringe, but jealousy rages through me, sharp and intense, when I see Lea’s smile turn seductive.

A bitter taste floods my mouth.

“I’m Lea.” She flips her hair onto one shoulder, exposing a smooth, uncovered shoulder.

“And I’m Jess.” Jess leans in to offer her cheek, and though I can’t see Bran, I catch her disappointment as she pulls back.

“I know,” Bran says, sounding smug. I know all about you.” His hand lands around my throat, and as I gasp, he pulls me against his chest, plucking the empty drink from my hand. “Let me go and get you another cocktail,” he says.

“Are you together?” Lea’s eyes bulge. “Finn?”

Jess chuckles. “Babe, of course they’re not. Look at our Finn here, then look atFernando.” She calls his name like he’s some kind of Saint.

I clear my throat. “He, uhm…he’s a friend of mine.”

“A friend.” Jess’s eyes follow Bran as he walks away. “Well, perhaps you can introduce me properly to your friend one day.”

“Sure,” I grind my teeth, looking around. “Levi and David aren’t here tonight?”

“They’re at the bar, drinking,” Jess says.

“David was pretty spooked out after last night when?—”

“Lea,” Jess hisses. “We don’t talk about that.”

“Well, it was a terrifying experience,” I admit. The first part of the night was. The second part was…confusing. And hot. Incredibly hot.

I look around, offering polite smiles to eyes that land on mine. Psychology students and teachers have come out to thank the sponsors for their donations and celebrate Christmas together. By the opened terrace doors, with the lake in the background, stands Castor. He is speaking to a man I don’t recognize as one of our teachers. That means he’s got to be one of the rich people present. Wealth finds wealth, I suppose.

He tips his head back and lets out a boisterous laugh at something the other man says. Then his gaze finds mine. My heart thumps as I stare back. He’s so gorgeous I can’t properly breathe.

I could stare at my twins every single second of the day. And night.

But then Jess’s words draw me right back to the conversation. “David believes the asylum wasn’t empty.”

I turn back reluctantly.

“Well, we all heard those footsteps,” Lea hums.

“Those were from the guys,” I tell Jess. “Or…not?”

She slowly shakes her head. ‘They say it wasn’t them.”

“But, did they see anyone?”

“It was pitch dark, dummy.”

“They had flashlights,” Lea ushers.

Jess sighs. “Well, they didn’t see anything.”

I startle when Bran holds a cocktail in front of me, my face growing hot as the girls chuckle.

“He’s always like that,” Jess chuckles, and my embarrassment grows.

“Like what?” Bran’s hand lowers to my hip and circles the smooth, moss-green garments.

---