Page 108 of Shadows of Obsession

He moves closer, and I know I couldn't bear it if he put his hand on my face. On my body. But I understand who I'm dealing with. I know I need to give him the impression things are going in the direction he wants.

"Not before I see Roxy and you let her go," I say in a low, submissive voice that I know he likes.

I see his pupils dilate, and I feel sick because I can- unwillingly- see his erection growing. I know he's always been attracted to me.

"Did you bring the money, sweetie?" he says after clearing his throat, and he looks at my backpack.

His hand is no longer digging into my flesh but instead caressing me, and I have to remind myself that I need him to let me free Roxy.

He grabs the backpack, and I immediately seize the strap and hold onto it with all my strength.

"Not until you let Roxy go!" I tell him, and my gaze moves to where she's tied to a chair.

She seems to be coming around from whatever he drugged her with, but her gaze is foggy as she tries to move her head.

"Ughh, fiiine. Let's go see Roxy," he whines, and his mood swing puts all my sensors on alert.

He kneels in front of her and brushes aside a strand of hair. Although I want to be civil, so as not to set him off, I put myself between him and Roxy and examine her face. She's pale, but her eyes seem clearer.

I slowly pull the duct tape from her mouth and an "Ahh" escapes her, though it's so weak my heart clenches a little when I hear it.

"Roxy. I'm getting you out of here," I tell her, and I don't care if Aidan hears.

I want to assure her this whole madness will end soon.

Aidan's hand shoots out, yanking my hair, but this time I shut my mouth before a sound can escape. I need her to be safe before Roman and Damien come for us.

"Not so fast, sweetie. Until I see all the money's there, Roxy's staying here with us," Aidan growls at me, and my face contorts in pain. I think he'll end up with a chunk of my hair in his hand, he's gripping it so hard.

"Let her go, you creep!" Roxy shouts, tears in her eyes. She's still tied up, arms behind her back, and I see her trying to move in the chair. I try to catch her eye and signal her to shut up.

"Don't anger me, Roxanne. You always had a filthy mouth and filled Luna's head with garbage against me," he says, and although his tone is normal, I know there's a threat there.

"Let her go and then you can take the money and disappear," I say but realize too late my mouth ran ahead of me again. His hand clamps even harder in my hair, and I physically have to breathe through my nose not to scream in pain. I know Roman can hear everything, and my only consolation is that he'll break every bone in Aidan’s body for what he's done. I can't help but smile slightly just thinking about him getting everything he deserves soon enough.

"I swear to God, you psychopath, if you don't let go of her hair this second, I'm coming at you with this chair and all!" Roxy yells at him, and I know I have no chance of calming her down. The drugs are probably wearing off, and Roxy is many things, but adocile woman is not one of them. Even when her life depends on a mental case. Who doesn't like her to begin with.

Aidan releases my hair and pushes me down next to Roxy's chair.

"Roxy, shut up," I whisper, grabbing her hand, and she must see the panic on my face because she goes quiet. I'm not afraid of what he'd do to me. Somehow I know he wouldn't kill me. Roxy though? I know he wouldn't hesitate.

"What did you call me?" Aidan's voice is low and full of venom.

"She didn't say anything. Aidan, you need to let her go," I almost beg. I know Roman and Damien won't wait much longer.

Aidan looks at me and snatches the backpack. I start to lunge for it but stop myself. Maybe if he sees the money, he'll calm down and let her go. I can't hope he'll let me leave too. I know him better than that.

In his head, we're still in a relationship. In his head, I was the one at fault for our "distance."

He counts the money with his eyes and realizes he hasn't been tricked. There really is a million dollars there. Roman put a million dollars in the backpack as casually as if he'd tossed me some candy to carry. The smile on Aidan's face is one of genuine joy.

"Now we can leave, sweetie. I promise to be the best for you, little Luna," he tells me, running his hand through his hair.

My first instinct is to tell him to go to hell, but I choose to stay quiet and keep my face neutral. I can't smile at him, can't play his game. Every cell in my body revolts at his presence.

"Aren't you happy?" he asks, coming toward me.

"First Roxy, then we'll celebrate."

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