Page 109 of Shadows of Obsession

If he doesn't let her go, we'll have to risk it and hope nothing goes wrong when the heavy artillery arrives.

"How stupid can you be to think I'd let this whore, who tried to turn you against me, go free?" he tells me in an amused tone as if he’s just told me the best joke and I don’t get it.

I look at Roxy and see in her eyes that she's not in the best shape. I knew there was a risk this idiot wouldn't let her go. That's why Roman and I arranged to have a phrase that would be the signal to come after us. I had hoped maybe Aidan had some rationality left and wouldn't keep Roxy, but I believe him capable of hurting her, and although this risk exists even when Roman and Damien burst in, it's a risk I'm willing to take.

"I feel sick," I say in a clear tone. I know Roman heard the signal to come for us. I don't know how much longer I can keep this madman in place, and although I still have the gun at my back, there's a tiny part of me that doesn't want to use it. I've never shot a gun, and the thought of doing it because of Aidan makes me sick. I feel like it's the last intact piece of my soul, and I’d be giving it up for him.

The gun is a backup, in case Roman and Damien are delayed and we need to defend ourselves.

Aidan studies me with a look you could swear is concern.

"That's because you got worked up over this idiot, little Luna. But don't worry, Devin will take care of her," he tells me, and every cell in my body freezes.

Now I really do feel sick. What does Devin have to do with him? I know he owes him money and...

In the distance, I can hear the sound of gunfire ripping through the air—someone emptying an entire clip—and my heart begins to race.

Before I can finish my thought and let the panic sink, he says, "Oh nooo, sweetie. Don't worry. He won't do anything to me."

How insane must he be to think I'd worry about him after everything he's done to me?

"I thought you owed him money," I manage to say without my voice trembling.

I have a bad feeling and just pray Roman is hearing all of this conversation.

Suddenly, a powerful blast shakes the house's walls, and I look horrified at Roxy, who seems equally alarmed. That...was that an explosion?

"And that was my debt paid," he tells me while caressing my cheek.

My heart is about to explode from how much blood it's pumping through my body because I know that wasn't a bomb set by Roman or Damien. When my gaze settles on Aidan's face, I could swear it's impossible to smile so sinisterly, yet that's exactly what he’s doing.

"What did you do?" I whisper as tears gather in my eyes.

"I just blew up the little house yourboyfriendwas spying from, sweetie," he says, spitting out the last words at me.

Suddenly something heavy strikes my head, and everything goes black.

Chapter 34

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Roman

10 minutes ago

"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's voice comes through the earpiece, and I'm officially done.

That piece of garbage dies now.

I know Luna wants to avoid a violent confrontation with gunfire for Roxy's safety, but she's dead wrong if she thinks I'm going to stand aside and let that lunatic hurt her while I listen to everything from a house away. The moment I rise from my chair, my phone starts ringing - private number.

I answer and instantly recognize the voice yelling through the speakerphone.

"Get the hell out of that house! Devin and his men have it rigged with C4. You're about to blow up at any moment!" Maksim's voice echoes through the room.

"How do you know that? And how the hell do you know where I am?" I ask.

I'm not suspicious of him, but I don't understand how he knows this.

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