Page 39 of Shadows of Obsession

She nods slightly, still perched in my lap - making the demons inside me grin. Maybe some part of her knows I'd never hurt her.

“What happened, love?” I ask, feeling her shiver.

Every fiber of me wants to demand answers, find out what triggered this, but that would only make it worse. I hold her closer, trying to memorize how she feels against me before she inevitably pulls away.

“I received a message,” she whispers, eyes glazing with more tears.

I stay quiet, letting her find the words. I could have Lev trace the message and sender in minutes, but this is about trust.

She studies my face, lingering on my eyes before saying softly, “My ex-boyfriend.” She drops her gaze like she's ashamed.

I fight back the urge to hunt down the bastard who scared her this badly.

“Show me,” I say, holding out my hand.

Her trembling fingers dig into her jeans pocket for her phone. With a shaky breath, she places it in my palm, message right there:

'That yellow blouse is my favorite, sweetie.'

Funny how fashion preferences can become grounds for murder.

Because I don't know who this individual is, but I already know he willingly signed his death warrant when he contacted her again.

Ha, who the hell am I trying to fool.

I was already planning to hunt him down, even before this message. A restraining order tells me everything I need to know.

Knowing what she's wearing means he's tailing her. Anton's been watching Luna since I called him, and he'd tell me if he spotted anyone suspicious. Either this guy's a ghost, or he's got help. Problem is, I figured she was safe at the firm - that’s why Anton wasn't with her at lunch.

“Luna, he won't ever get near you again. You have my word.”

I cup her face, making her look at me. That thing in my chest, which I thought just pumped blood, feels like it's going to explode. Seeing her like this - cheeks and eyes red from crying, lip quivering - makes every cell in my body scream for violence.

"Luna, is that clear? Drink your tea and stay calm."

I know I can't mask the fury in my tone, because I feel her flinch slightly, and then the veil she had over her reason drops and she jumps from my lap as if burned.

Her reaction makes the beast scratch at the walls of my mind because her place is here. Next to me, pressed against me. For now, I repeat to myself that it's better this way. I need to make some calls and she needs to drink that damn tea and calm down.

Now isn't the time to address her panic attack, but I store this information to come back to it. She could have had this breakdown anywhere, in the middle of the street, in the train, and suddenly I'm angry at her too for putting her life in danger because of that message.

I go to my desk and message Lev that I need him to find her ex and Anton that I need him to be more vigilant for suspicious people or shadows that shouldn't be there.

When I look up from the phone, Luna's clutching her teacup, watching me. Her breathing's steadied, color returning to her cheeks.

I can see the apology coming before she opens her mouth, so I cut her off - if I hear her say sorry for having a panic attack, I'll lose it and do something I shouldn't. The urge to kiss her still pulses through me.

“Don't even think about apologizing. Felix won't breathe a word about this,” I tell her, knowing it's true.

Felix keeps his job because of his discretion and instinct. The guy can spot a spy and tell you their star sign just by looking at them.

I watch her bite that lip, still puffy from crying, and grip the desk to stay put. Otherwise, I'll carry her to that couch where I know I could make her forget everything. I have to shake myhead to clear it. She's too fragile right now, and I need to earn her trust first.

“Thank you,” she murmurs between sips of tea.

In a few minutes, she takes her laptop in her arms and I assume she's returned to work, so I do the same. I have several reports to check from Niko regarding the latest apartments we're building and another pile of documents to sign.

Not thirty minutes pass when Lev sends me a message:

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