Page 7 of Red Obsession

“Okay,” she finally whispers.

“Okay,” I say, stepping back. “You can take the bed; I’ll sleep in the chair.”

Once she smiles and jumps down from the counter, I watch as she climbs into the bed, lying in the middle. Her eyes track me the entire time I move around the room, flicking the lights off, before settling in the chair. Even in the dark I can feel her eyes on me.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell her, closing my eyes.

I still need to let Killian know she’s out and alive, but the idea of leaving her is unsettling. I don’t like the feeling or the idea. What is so fucking special about this girl? Why is she calming the raging monster inside? Why hasn’t she tried to escape yet? Besides the little fight about leaving she hasn’t tried anything else.

I can feel myself faintly drifting off when she says, “My name, it’s Izel.”

Izel

I want to test her name on my lips. But I don’t want to look like a fool, so I don’t say anything. I’m afraid what would come out. Because somehow within a short amount of time, this girl, Izel, has burrowed herself under my skin.

2

Izel

Ican’tholdtheyawn that escapes. My eyes begin to fall closed for a moment. Considering I haven’t slept well in the past month and if I happened to have fallen asleep, it was on the cold ground. Devil also always had plans to either beat me, cut me, or just talk until I finally shouted at him to shut up. Then I’d be beaten because I wasn’t supposed to talk.

Typical.

So when I saved the blonde girl, I expected to die, to be tortured to death, so imagine mysurprise when all I got was a push down the stairs and then locked in a cage. I thought for sure he was going to take his time beating and torturing me. It wasn’t until the following day that all I could hear was commotion upstairs, then four rounds going off. Then it was a long day and a half of me yelling, screaming, and trying everything I could to get that stupid collar off my neck. Even the damn chain that it was attached to, but no matter what I did, no matter the amount of pulling, no matter whatever, it didn’t budge.

But Zion.

That masked stranger.

I don’t know if I trust him. I shouldn’t, I really shouldn’t. Granted he got me out of that awful house, but I still don’t understand what his intentions are. He grunts at me when I speak and never says much. He acts like I’m an inconvenience, though when I tell him I want to leave, he says no.

He’s irritating.

In a hot kind of way.

Don’t even get me started on how hot he looks. I mean talk about muscles. Even if he wore a black long sleeve and a coat until he gave it to me. That man packs some serious heat, and I’m not talking about the gun I felt on his side. Damn, even his thighs are huge, tree trunks I’m telling you. And the mask he wears? I don’t know what is wrong with me, but lord have some mercy. Because there has to be some type of kink for that. He has yet to take it off, even though he's sitting down on the chair. And I’m some creep unable to look away from him. I’m getting lost in the sight of him. I never liked those who were taller than me, though it isn’t hard with me being five foot three. I love that he towers over me, instead of fearing what might happen. I love it. It makes me feel safe and strong. It doesn’t make sense, and I truly don’t understand it. I could get lost in him.

Letting out another yawn, I try to keep my eyes open. I want to keep staring at him, hiding the fact I need to watch him. I need to come up with a plan for tomorrow. I need to leave before he wakes up. It is going to be highly difficult. Good thing I am quick on my feet and used to tiptoeing around. I need to get out before he changes his mind about letting me go. But the smell of pine and honey wood clings to my nose and exhaustion takes me over.

My eyes flutter open, my face buried in the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever laid my head on. The bed is huge, almost like sleeping on a cloud, and I would like to keep lying here. To continue sleeping in this bed and not be on the run. I had expected to have trouble falling asleep, yet I passed out with no trouble. And waking up, I sure thought I was going to feel anxious or scared. But this feeling is different and feels warm.

Nope. I can’t get too comfortable.

Sitting up, I tug the blanket to my chest. I don’t need to get comfortable or feel like this is home. I have a problem, and I need to get away from Zion to fix it. The startling realization that I’ve been just lying here, sleeping, getting oddly comfortable while he is right there doesn’t sit well.

Throwing the covers off, I make my way into the bathroom. Flicking the light on, I lock the door before turning the shower on. Even though I showered last night, I have no idea the next time I’ll be able to shower. So might as well take another one.

Shredding Zion’s clothes off, I step into the stall, making quick work to clean myself again. Once I finish, I put my borrowed clothes on again. Searching in the small bag that is setting on the counter, I find his toothbrush. I bite my inner cheek, my eyes trained down on his toothbrush in my hand.

I couldn’t.

But a clean mouth is a happy mouth.

What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Shrugging my shoulders, I brush my teeth quickly.

I need a plan and I need one quickly. Hoping Zion is still asleep, I can possibly grab a few water bottles and that jar of peanut butter. That will hold me off until I find Gabriel.

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