Page 46 of Echoes of Obsession

Needing to hear Snow’s voice, I pull out my phone and hit her number.

“Is everything okay?” she answers.

Fuck. It’s one in the morning.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I apologize. “It didn’t cross my mind that it was so late. I’ll let you go back to sleep and call you in the morning.”

“I was working,” her sweet voice says. “Are you alright? You sound off.”

“I’m better now that I’m talking to you. How’s Dove?”

“I had to take her to the doctor today,” she tells me. “About her bottom. It was still swollen after three days, and I got worried. The doctor had no choice but to call it in. I gave the police the pictures I took and told them everything Zoe said happened. I hope Ray doesn’t mention your little trip.”

“He won’t, babe,” I say. “It wouldn’t matter even if he did. People don’t take kindly to abusers. Why didn’t you call me? I could have taken you both to her doctor. I hate it when you take a taxi. Don’t trust them to keep you girls safe.”

“Oh. Uhm. Well, I did send you a text. When you didn’t respond, I figured you were either asleep or just busy. It’s no big deal. It’s only a ten-minute drive.”

What the fuck?

I pull my phone from my ear and quickly search my texts. Sure enough, I have an unread message from Snow.

Hey. I know it’s early and a Friday, but I need to take Zoe to the doctor to check her injuries. She’s already screamed out in pain twice today, and I’m getting really worried. I know it’s silly to ask, but can you come with me? If not, that’s okay. I know you’ve been really busy lately. Just let me know. Thanks.

“Ghost, are you still there?”

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I say, feeling like a failure. “I was just now reading your message. I get so many calls and texts through this number every day that I must have missed it. I wasn’t there for you girls when you needed me.”

“We’re okay,” she tries to comfort. “Everything turned out okay. They gave Zoe some strong pain meds to help her and said the bruises looked as if they were healing on their own. It would just take some time.”

“Good. I’ll swing by tomorrow with some ice packs. Maybe that will help as well. So, why are you up so late working?” I ask, changing the subject.

“This author sent me her book with the request to have it finished in seventy-two hours,” she answers. “It’s not common, and I told her that I might miss some things with that timeline, but she was persistent. Even threw in an additional two hundred dollars.”

“Just don’t overdo yourself, baby,” I warn. “How about you, Dove and Sky, spend the rest of the weekend with me at my place.”

“Oh. Uhm. I don’t know. I have to finish this book, and I know you’re busy. I wouldn’t want us getting in the way.”

“Bring your work with you, babe,” I tell her. “My backyard is fully fenced in, so it’s safe for both Dove and Sky to play in. I have two guest rooms that you both can use. And, as for me, there are things I have to do that I can’t ignore, but from this moment on, all of that gets put on the back burner while I make sure my woman is taken care of.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Ghost.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, babe. As my family, you and Dove get first priority. There’s no sense in fighting me about this.”

“Okay,” she whispers. “So…uhm…when we come over, you want me to sleep in the guest room?”

“Fuck no,” I growl. “I want you next to me in my bed where you belong. I’m a strong man, Snow, but it’ll be hard as hell keeping my hands off you if you’re lying right next to me.”

“Maybe I don’t want you to keep your hands off me,” she says huskily.

Fuck. I adjust my dick as images rush through my head.

“Baby, you’re playing fire.”

“I have burn cream,” she giggles.

“I want you to remember this conversation,” I warn. “I’ll see you in the morning, baby. Get some sleep.”

“I’m heading to bed now. Goodnight, Ghost.”

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