Page 148 of The Dark Obsession

“It’s over, daddy dearest.” Raffaele’s words make me finally shift my attention towards the man I used to call my father.

“The Russians you’ve dragged into your mess are done for. Can’t imagine that going over well with the Pakhan”

His neck turns an angry shade of red, his expression furious. He has discarded his suit jacket, the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up as he holds a gun trailed on my brother.

Except there’s a slight tremble in his hand that one wouldn’t notice if they hadn’t known him all their lives.

It gives him away.

He knows it’s over.

While Raffaele holds our father’s undivided attention, I ever so slowly inch towards Tyson, careful not to be noticed.

“What is it you want, son?” Our father spits out with disgust like the word alone is making him sick.

“Nothing from your sorry excuse of a man.” Raffaele’s expression turns impenetrable and I see the flicker of pure hatred simmering below the surface, waiting to be released.

“I’m getting my man out of here one way or another.” He states, making it clear that there’s nothing our father can do about it, that his life bears no significance to my brother.

“Get away from that criminal, Malory!” I stiffen at my father’s harsh words, halting my deliberate progress towards my everything.

“That’s really hypocritical of you to say.” I shoot back, taking another cautious step.

“This isn’t right. You have to let him go.” I demand, trying my best to pacify the man since he doesn’t see me as a threat.

“That man held you captive, he raped you! Don’t deny it, I’ve seen the marks on your neck.” My father yells with suppressed fury. “He took you away from your home, from me!”

“That doesn’t mean he deserves death!” I shout back, not wanting to show my cards too soon. Not allowing him to see how much I truly care.

Let him think that I’m still his soft, righteous daughter that wouldn’t wish harm upon anyone.

If he knew how deep my feelings for Tyson truly ran, he would have killed him on the spot, witnesses be damned.

If he knew how deeply I love him, that I couldn’t possibly live without him, he would have shot him before my eyes right in that park.

His oblivion to the bare truth is what has gained us the time we desperately needed, and what’s our best chance now.

“You’ll release him now!” Raffaele advances our father, giving me the chance to kneel before Tyson.

I inspect his wounds. So much blood everywhere, there’s no way he can walk out of here in this state.

I gently cup the side of his face, careful not to hurt him further. Leaning into my touch, he lets out a deep breath filled with relief as he searches my face and body for injuries.

“Hang on.” I whisper inaudibly.

“That’s enough!” My father strikes out of nowhere, shoving me away from the chair all the while keeping his weapon aimed at Rafe.

Landing on my ass, my palms scrape against the rough cement.

“Don’t touch her!” Tyson grits out, lunging with whatever strength he has left into my father, knocking him away from me.

“Tyson!” I shriek as he lands hard on his side, his leg unable to hold him. With his hands bound behind his back, his head slams into the ground with a loud thud.

Before I can do anything, my father is on him, jerking him up by the collar of his shirt. He presses the muzzle of his gun to Tyson’s neck, using him as a shield between Rafe and himself.

My heart stops.

“If you want him, you’ll let me and my daughter walk out of here.” My father tightens his grip on Tyson who grunts, only half-conscious from the blood loss and most likely a concussion.

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