Page 36 of Oblivion

I want to yell at him. I want to rage and scream and cry, but maybe that’s what he wants? Yesterday, he called me Wild One. Is he doing all of this so that I’ll live up to the nickname he’s decided to give me?

Before I can think better of it, I hit dial, bringing my cell to my ear as I wait for him to answer.

“Hey,” he says calmly, like he didn’t drug me and violate my body.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask, unsure why I suddenly feel so…defeated.

“Because you know who you are, and it isn’t this.”

“Who am I then?” I whisper.

“You’re mine. You always have been.”

“Why now? Is it because I moved on? Because I found someone who makes me happy. Someone who would never do the crazy things you’re doing?”

“I was wrapped in chains, scared to embrace who I actually am,” Evan says, his voice breaking a little. “Now I’m free.”

“What does that mean for me?”

“It means it’s time to come home.”

“This is my home,” I protest.

“Is it? Your fiancé is more interested in his political aspirations than you. Your mom only cares about you becoming her, and your dad is just happy you have someone to take care of you. Your life just went to shit, and the first person you called wasn’t Drew or your family. It was me. Because I’m your home. Starling and Sebastian and the others are your home.”

“No, my life is here now. Clay can fix this. He can change the paperwork back, and I can go to school and get married and?—”

“And what, Sammy? You can freeze your eggs so Drew can plan your kids in accordance with potential voters’ preferences. So, you can stand at his side, silently, nothing more than a pretty incubator mannequin. Do you even love him?”

“Yes,” I cry.

“Are you in love with him?” Evan asks.

My mouth forms the word yes, but the sound won’t fall from my lips, no matter how much I try to force it.

“Do you love me?” he asks, and I can hear the smile in his words.

“No.” Shaking my head from side to side, I try to force vehemence into my tone.

“That’s okay. You will. Because you know what you are, don’t you, Wild One?”

“No,” I whimper.

“Yes, you do. You’ve known as long as I have, from the first time we met. You’re mine. I’ve held back. I’ve fought my natural urges, but I won’t shackle myself anymore. You have until Friday to end things with Drew yourself. After that, I’ll do it for you.”

“Evan, you can’t do this. This isn’t fair. I love him.”

“I don’t care. You have until Friday, and if you let him touch you, if he even lays a hand on you, I’ll ruin him. You know I can do it. You watched Clay do it to January’s family. If he comes within five feet of you, I’ll make sure he’ll never even get voted Walmart employee of the month, let alone anything else, and every single one of his political hopes and dreams will be destroyed and burned to ashes at his feet.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“No, Sammy, I’m yours, and this is how it feels to be owned by me. I’ll do anything for you, but I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take you from me.”

“Don’t do this, Evan. Please,” I beg, hating the desperation in my voice.

“It’s too late.”

“No, Evan.” When he doesn’t reply, I pull my cell from my ear and realize he’s ended the call. My hands are shaking, andmy entire body feels electrified with a mixture of fear and…excitement.

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