Page 44 of Hunted Obsession

I’m done with this.

The way that room made me feel, I don’t want to know anything else. My mission, as fruitless as it all was, is over. As much as I want to continue to play games with Emmie, I’m not sure I can win against this, whatever this darkness is.

Instead of going back to the group and being mauled by Charlie, I sneak out of the club. Walking toward my car, I’m cursing myself that I had to park so far away. It’s too late at night to walk two blocks.

My heels click, bouncing off the sidewalk as I walk—one step, then another, and another. I hold my breath the whole time and only let out an exhaled sigh of relief when I reach the driver’s door of my car.

Tugging it open, I sink inside and lock it again before I start the engine. It doesn’t take me long to drive back to my apartment. I really hate myself for tonight. I should not have done any of this.

It was stupid. Granted, I still want Theron, and I don’t want anyone to have him, especially not Emmie, but I don’t think Ihave a choice anymore. After a glass of water and a shower, I’m slipping into bed when my phone buzzes next to me.

It’s a text message.

THERON: WHERE ARE YOU?

I think about answering him with some smart-assed remark, but I decide against it. I’m too emotionally drained from my defeat for that. And that is exactly what this is for me—a defeat.

Home.

THERON: ALONE?

Narrowing my gaze at his question, I think about telling him that it’s none of his business. Except I want it to be that, exactly that, his business. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I slide my teeth from side to side a few times while I attempt to come up with a response. In the end, I do what I always seem to do, and I answer him truthfully.

Yes.

THERON: STAY THAT WAY.

Why?

I stare at the phone, but those three little dots don’t appear, and I wonder if he’s even going to answer me. When he does, I am taken off guard. His text message completely floors me. I thought for sure that he would be spending time with his girlfriend.

THERON: I AM COMING OVER. SOON. I’LL LET MYSELF IN.

I let out a snort. I’m not surprised that he says he’ll let himself in. I don’t even know how he did it last time. I need to ask him how the hell he got into my apartment and let himself out.

See you soon.

He doesn’t respond to that. I sit in bed, my head resting against the headboard as I wait for him. Since I can’t sleep, I am a glutton for punishment, so I reach for my phone and find Emmie’s name.

I want to see where she is and what she’s doing right now. Is she crying because Theron broke up with her? Is she getting even and dancing with other men? What exactly is happening here?

But when I click on her name, she’s got a ton of pictures and videos posted tonight. And not in a single one of them does she look sad. In fact, she appears to be the exact opposite of sad. She looks beaming and happy.

Then there are pictures from earlier in the evening where she’s hanging all over Theron. I hate those. I almost comment something mean on her pictures of them together, but I decide against it.

Instead, I close the app and set my phone on my nightstand. I pick up the television remote and find something to watch as I settle down in my bed. I tug the covers up to my chin slowly, my eyes flutter closed, and I fall asleep.

Chapter Twenty

LUCILLE

A voice wakes me up.

A deep voice that I love.Adore. And cherish.

“Why can’t I quit you?”

Opening my eyes, I see Theron standing a few feet away from me. His chin is dipped, his gaze focused on mine. I expect to see him frowning, but he’s not. His lips are curved up into a smirk. It's like he’s asking me the question, but he’s not mad about it, either.

---