Page 11 of Obsession

Johannes gets out of the truck before placing his hands on my waist and lifting me out. As my feet land on solid ground, I gaze up at the mansion surrounded by never-ending trees.

“This is where you live?” I ask Xander.

Xander shakes his head, moving to the back of the truck to grab my satchel and Hans’ duffle bag. “No. Friends live here. They’ll get you to a safe house.”

Disappointment floods me at the knowledge that he’s pawning us off on others. I’m puzzled by my sadness. I should be glad that he isn’t forcing his presence on us.

My fingers flutter, twirling and twining together. Nervousness sweeps over me and settles heavily in my stomach. I glance at Xander and Hans as they lift the motorcycle from the truck and place it on the asphalt.

Xander catches my eye and smiles, revealing white teeth that gleam in the darkness. “Like what you see, Maggie?”

I quickly divert my eyes before lowering them to the ground. “Your face is hidden. There isn’t much to see. I was just wondering where you’re going?”

“Why, Maggie? Will you miss me?”

His glib tone irritates me. I want to tell him to burn in Hell, but I can’t form the words fast enough, so I simply glare at him.

Xander laughs as he approaches me. I focus on his visible tattoos, cringing internally at the realization that they’ll weigh heavily against him on Judgment Day. He raises one large muscular arm covered with intricate designs and pats me on the head. “Don’t worry your pretty head. I’ll never be far away from you.”

He leans in, his fingers brushing mine as he reaches for my bag. I pull back instinctively, and our fingers tangle in a hesitant dance before he withdraws. The fleeting touch causes a wave of heat to wash over me, leaving me breathless and intoxicated.

Xander’s lips part as if he wants to say something before he shakes his head, leaving me with my belongings. He waves for Hans and me to follow, taking long strides toward the large steps and looming double doors of the mansion.

We wait as Xander rings the doorbell. The door opens quickly, revealing an attractive woman with long, dark hair. She smiles broadly and throws her arms around Xander’s neck.

Xander laughs as he embraces her. “Relax, will ya? You’re about to suffocate me.”

I hate the pang of envy that blooms in my chest as the woman pulls back and slaps his chest. “You’re lucky I don’t kill you for ignoring me for two weeks.”

I watch in fascination as Xander’s cheeks flush, and he nervously rubs the back of his neck. Are they together? “I’ve been preoccupied.”

The pretty woman turns to Hans and me, offering a warm smile. “Who are your friends?”

“Azadeh, this is Margarete and Johannes.”

Azadeh’s smile widens as she steps back and opens the door so we can enter.

“Who’s at the door?” a tall man asks.

I press my lips together to stifle my squeak. His appearance is frightening. He’s tall and broad, with tattoos and scars coveringmost of his visible flesh. He stops behind Azadeh, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her cheek.

“You remember Alexander, right? We used to work together.” The scary man narrows his eyes at Xander and nods in acknowledgment. “Margarete and Johannes will be staying with us for a while. This is my husband, Cyrus,” Azadeh introduces. She glances at Xander. “You’ll be staying too?”

Xander nods. “If it’s not too much bother?”

“Of course not,” Azadeh assures him. She waves a hand around her. “As you can see, we have more space than we’ll ever be able to use.”

I peer at the man lovingly holding Azadeh. He resembles a demon, scorched in the flames of Hell, but his eyes shine with devotion as he gazes at her.

Azadeh pulls away from Cyrus and grabs my hand. “You must be starving.”

As we walk down the large hall, warm breath teases my ear as Xander whispers, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

I have no clue why he’s saying those words to me because I didn’t vocalize my reaction to Cyrus out loud.

Azadeh’s kitchen is massive. A large island dominates the center of the room, with stools positioned around it.

“Do you have many children?” I ask.

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