Page 3 of My Ruthless Obsession

Then, realization hits me like a train. He’s not here for my rent money. He’s here forme.

“No,” I protest. “We’ll just have to find another way to pay you. I can work off his debt. Surely you could use someone to clean your house or one of your businesses? And I’m a decent cook. I can?—”

He cuts me off with a growl that I feel all the way down to the apex of my thighs. “You will do none of those things, Lyla.” His nostrils flare as he simmers with anger. “I knew this was the right decision,” he mutters under his breath and I barely hear him.

“What decision?”

“Forget it. Doesn’t matter,” he sneers. “Let’s go.”

Go? I’m not going anywhere with him.

“Where is he? Where’s my father?” I begin to shift my weight from one foot to the other, wringing my hands in front of me.

“Don’t worry about him. He’s fine.” The sharp edge of Marco’s voice makes me shudder. Before I can question him further, he loses his patience and throws me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. Panic sets in as I fight to get free, even if it means falling to the floor.

“What the hell are you doing?” I shout, kicking out with my legs in hopes of landing a strike. His grip tightens around me before his hand comes down on my ass with a loud thwack that causes me to cry out.

Did… did he just spank me?

His silent friend laughs at me, and I glare at him as he opens the door before Marco carries me outside and onto the street. Desperation consumes me as we make our way toward a black sedan with dark-tinted windows. I scream for help, but no one comes to my aid. I don’t know why I bother, because no one ever comes to save you in this part of town.

When we reach the car, Marco sets me back on my feet, and I continue to plead with him. “Please, don’t take me. It’s not my debt. I did nothing wrong.” Tears well in my eyes, but I refuse to show weakness.

For a split second, I think I see something other than cold impassiveness in his eyes—a flicker of sympathy or maybe even remorse. Then it’s gone in an instant, replaced with a steely resolve, and in one swift motion, he shoves me into the back of the car before climbing in next to me. My heart races. There’s no escape from this man and whatever fate awaits me.

His counterpart takes a seat behind the wheel, remaining silent as he navigates through the bustling streets of the city. My chest is tight as I search for a way out of this, but I know my efforts are pointless. I’m trapped.

Marco’s massive thigh presses along mine and I sense his gaze on me again, making me squirm under his intense scrutiny. Despite my fear, or perhaps because of it, my body betrays me with an undeniable urge to feel more of his touch.

Annoyed with myself, I attempt to put distance between us and slide toward the passenger door. He drags me back to him, more of his muscular body pressing against me and making my nipples peak beneath my cheap cotton bra.

Defeated, I sit still, silently fuming over how my father—the one person left in this world who’s supposed to love and protect me—has gotten me into this mess.

He wasn’t always this way. He used to be a good dad, but after Mom died, everything fell apart. He drank himself into a dark hole, spending everything we had chasing his gambling high.

Deep in my thoughts, I lose track of time until we approach a large gate, far outside the city limits. My eyes widen when the metal doors open, revealing a long driveway that leads to the most stunning mansion I’ve ever seen. It’s an elegant estate, with classic architecture and well-manicured grounds. A place I couldn’t dare to dream that I’d ever callhome.

For a moment, I entertain the thought that being held captive here might not be so bad after all. Then I chastise myself for having such foolish notions and remember I’ve just been kidnapped by one of the most vicious men on the east coast.

Marco steps out of the parked vehicle and offers his hand to me, but I can’t bring myself to take it—it’s too late for him to play the gentleman now after stealing me away from the only life I’ve ever known.

As I exit the car of my own volition, my body brushes against his and a jolt of electricity shoots through me. An unexpected urge to be near him overtakes me, but I resist and scan my new surroundings instead. Even with apprehension swirling in my stomach, I can’t deny the beauty of the isolated mansion before me. It’s evident that Marco has spared no expense to create this private sanctuary, but it feels like a luxurious prison to me, and I wonder how long of a sentence I’ll have to serve.

His firm grip on my elbow pulls me back to reality, and he leads me inside. “C’mon, I’ll show you to your room,” he says, guiding me up a massive staircase.

I fail at hiding how awestruck I am as we walk down a long hallway with numerous rooms on both sides. Then, he opens a door at the end of the hall to reveal a bedroom that’s bigger than my entire apartment. So big it comes with its own sitting area, wet bar, and bathroom suite. A grand four-poster bed dominates the main space while cream-colored furniture adorns every corner. Through the window, I see a picturesque backyard complete with a stone patio, outdoor kitchen, pool, and a meticulously kept garden.

As I admire the colorful flowers below, Marco opens another door. “This is the wardrobe. It’s already been stocked.”

Confused, I peer inside to find multiple racks full of dresses, blouses, skirts, and pants. Shelves hold rows of shoes and handbags. And there’s an island in the middle displaying more jewelry than any woman could need in a lifetime. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was in some high-end boutique and not just a walk-in closet.

“Whose stuff is this?” I ask, an unfamiliar pang of jealousy hitting me in the stomach.

“It’s yours, Lyla. Everything should be in your size,” he replies blankly before glancing at his expensive watch.

“Why would you do this?”

“There are casual clothes in the dresser too,” he announces, pointing to a chest of drawers along the wall. “For dinner tonight, you’ll wear this.”

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