Page 117 of The Dark Obsession

I hated leaving her, not holding her through the night. But I planned on returning before she ever woke up.

No need for her to worry about what I did at night.

She’s so fucking tiny, her sleeping silhouette tucked into a ball with her head resting on a pair of my old work boots.

That can’t be comfortable.

Noticing the dried tears on her cheeks, I can’t hold back any longer. Sliding my palms underneath her back and knees, I scoop her up, pressing her petite body to my chest, needing to feel her.

Fuck, she’s freezing. Dressed only in my shirt and boxers.

Malory’s bloodshot eyes flutter open, a small gasp leaving her trembling lips as she whimpers my name.

In a heartbeat, she throws herself on me. Almost knocking me over as she wraps her arms tightly around my neck in a suffocating grip, sobbing uncontrollably into my chest.

Shudders wreak her small body as she clings to me, clutching me like I’m her only lifeline.

“Shhh…. It’s okay, baby.” I run my hand along her spine in a soothing motion. “I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Her fingers dig into my skin as she struggles to get her breathing somewhat under control.

“Whatever’s wrong, I’ll fix it, Malory.” I nuzzle her ear. “I’ll do anything, baby girl.”

When she finally lifts her head, her face is puffy with tears running down her cheeks like an endless flood.

I didn’t think my already shattered, dead heart was capable of being ripped to pieces. But in this moment, it breaks all over again.

Her eyes widen in panic at the sniper rifle slung over my back, before moving down to the gun at my waistband, the knife strapped to my thigh, scanning me from head to toe.

“Y-you’re okay...” Her voice cracks.

The fear in her eyes wasn’t because she was scared of me, but because she was afraid for me. She was looking for injuries.

Fuck me.

No one has cared about my well-being since I can remember.

I guess my mother did to a degree but then she gave up as well. Not that I blame her. I never really knew what it felt to have people worry about you.

“I’m all good, little one.” Her head is once again buried in the crook of my neck as she sighs with relief, her fingers sinking into the short hair at my nape, holding me to her.

“I’m here. I’m not leaving you ever again.” I vow.

“Really?” She sniffs, making my chest squeeze painfully at how small and vulnerable she sounds.

“Promise.” I gently kiss her forehead, then her nose, her cheeks, her eyelids and finally her lips. “It hurts too much to be away from you, baby.”

She hasn’t cried when I fucking tore her away from her old life and I fully expected it back then. Yet Malory handled being abducted with such grace and dignity.

I’ve witnessed grown men cry for much less. Not her though.

Seeing her broken like this is killing me inside, I can’t bear being the cause of her tears.

I can’t bear the sight of them.

Taking her face in my hands, engulfing her cheeks, I lick the salty droplets away.

“I’ve told you once before that my cock is the only thing that’s allowed to make you cry, Malory.”

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