Page 76 of His Coveted Obsession

“Do you really think they will return them if you pay? Your kids are as good as gone if I don’t intervene. They won’t kill them yet. They’re too valuable. But I have my ways to get to them.”

“W-who are you?” he asked again.

“Someone to fear.”

“Y-you won’t hurt my kids, right?”

That was the only thing that calmed me down because I was seconds away from slicing his jugular.

“Thomas is mine. Why would I hurt him?”

“Annie?”

“Annie belongs to Thomas. Therefore, Annie also belongs to me. They are no longer yours. It’s clear you cannot take care of them, but I will.”

My heart was racing like never before. Sure, I was this volatile when Sid left The District and left me behind for Dalton, but now Thomas was in danger, and he was mine more than Sid ever was.

This was retribution.

I planned to slaughter all who got in my way.

“Who are you to pay to get them back? I want names.”

“G-Gregory Ivanov. He… he works the races. A friend of a friend set me up to get loans. The last one was for one hundred thousand. I was so sure I was going to win! They promised me the horse would win, and I could easily make a mil.”

“You disgust me. Theyliedto you. They set you up because they want you so indebted to them you’ll do anything to keep from gettingkilled. Theyownyou.”

I stood and smoothed out my sweater, putting on my mask of outward calmness, which wasn’t easy at the moment. “This is how it’s going to go, Mr. Lauder. I’m going to save Thomas and Annie, then they’re going to come live with me. Meanwhile, you’ll get your shit together. Get a job, go to therapy, or do whatever you need to do, because you will never go near them again until then.”

For the first time since I got there, he showed anger. It was a quick shift, making me curious about why he had changed. He always seemed like a weak, simpering fool. He wiped his wet face and glared at me. “Now wait a minute. I appreciate your help, but you do not get to keep my kids. That’s illegal. Annie is a minor!”

“I can and I will. I have my ways. Fix your shit.”

With that, I left before my control slipped, and I did end up killing him.

When I reached my car and got in, I was suddenly hit with a burst of rage. I screamed and slammed my hands against the steering wheel. My mind was rebelling, fighting in different directions, making it hard to focus.

Everyone fucking took from me! Mother took my innocence and mind. Father took my trust. Then Thomas was taken.Myperson. All I wanted to do was slaughter, but I had no information on this Gregory Ivanov.

Adrenaline pumped through me, and it was hard to fucking concentrate. While I fed off anger because it was one of those rare moments I just reallyfelt, I couldn’t let it rule me, or else I wouldn’t find my Thomas.

With a few deep breaths, I calmed down just enough to focus, but I was still fuming. Then I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to The District’s encrypted group chat.

Me: We need a meeting.

Sully: Awfully demanding so early in the morning.

Malik: Ignore Sullivan. What is the meeting for,

Easton?

Sully: Hey!

Dante: I’m already here.

Sid: What’s happened? You never call for a meeting.

Me: I can’t say here. Meet me in the conference room.

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