Page 99 of The Dark Obsession

“Nothing will change the fact that you’re mine, Malory. You can travel the fucking world for all I care, but it will be with me by your side. You’re under my protection for the rest of our lives and I don’t give the slightest shit about what you want to do as long as you’re doing it with me.” His thumb grazes my pulse.

All his burning intensity focused on the whirlwind of emotions passing over my face.

“That’s the cost of your freedom.”

I remain silent, nervously biting my bottom lip until Tyson tugs it from between my teeth once more, possibilities of a future with him taking over my mind.

A real future, one where I wouldn’t have to fear that one day all of this would end.

A future where there’d only be us.

It has long ceased to matter whether his reasons for wanting me are morally justifiable.

Tyson has never made me think even for a second that I’m unwanted, that I’m anything but precious to him.

There’s no doubt about his obsession. His open show of care and possessiveness leading me to believe that his commitment to me is truly unrelenting.

As is mine.

“Well then.” I palm his nape, sinking my fingers into the short hair at the back of his head. “But I need your promise that my parents will stay alive.”

“I won’t be the one to drive a knife into your father's heart if it will make you feel better about the type of man I am, little one.” He grits out through clenched teeth like that’s exactly what he’d love to do most.

“But it’s not just up to me. My brothers might change their minds about wanting no part in killing their…” Abruptly, Tyson catches himself mid-sentence as if he told me something he had no intent in sharing.

It’s not the first time he’s avoided talking about his brothers, or my father for that matter.

Thinking of it, there might be a connection there somewhere.

“Will you ever tell me what my father did to you?” I ask softly, running the pad of my thumb over his sharp cheekbone.

“Someday.” And for the time being, that’s all I’m going to get. I can live with that.

“Then tell me something else about yourself.” My curiosity takes over, wanting to get a glimpse inside Tyson’s head.

“What you see is what you get with me, Malory.” The man grunts like that’s all there is to him.

“That’s not true. I doubt I’ll ever fully figure you out.” I run my hands down his broad shoulders and then back up to his nape,looping my arms around his neck. “I’ve never met a person with so many hidden layers.”

“Right back at you, baby girl.” He looks at me pointedly, drawing a soft laugh from my lips.

“I want to know more about what you do.” I go on. “What would you be up to if you weren’t stuck here with me?”

“I’m not stuck anywhere. There’s no place I’d rather be than right here with you.” He absently caresses the shell of my ear before tucking a strand of loose hair behind it, making my heart squeeze at the warmth flooding my chest.

“And I purposefully chose this cabin as our home because I was under the impression that you’d like it up here as much as I do.”

Something indescribable softens in his gaze. “As for your question, I used to stalk this tiny plant-obsessed princess stuck in her tower, creeping outside her window every chance I got.”

Tyson nudges my nose with his and I lightly slap the back of his head. “Come on, I’m serious.”

“Why do you want to know what hitmen do?” His face turns serious once more, wariness clouding his dark eyes.

“It’s an unusual job to have, to say the least. Maybe I’m intrigued.” I shrug since I’m not entirely sure myself, only wanting to understand him better.

“Don’t be, it’s only for the heartless ones.”

“Like you?”

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