Page 62 of Shadowed Obsession

Sometimes, but I remind myself it’s fictional.

Skye Daddy

Stalker…hmm.

Spicy or Mild?

Spicy! You already know!

Skye Daddy

I’m so glad you said that because I have got the book for you!

A golden retriever that posts masked thirst traps online stalks one of his top followers.

STOP. Sign me the fuck up!

Send the link!

Skye Daddy

On it, Sis!

She follows up with a link; I click and purchase immediately. I’ll be diving in after my morning debriefing. Curious as to whether or not it’s good for me to listen to something like this as someone who is currently being stalked. Only one way to find out.

25/

daddy downer

Deirdre

8:52 a.m. | 5 hours before ‘the sixth incident’

I’m dreading the catch-up work that comes from being out of office, but secretly looking forward to being left alone while I settle in. There’s a new proposal waiting for me to review, and I will be indulging in a new audiobook while I lock in.

From the moment I step foot inside the distillery, the usual energy is off. Everyone has their heads down, and I brace myself because I have no idea what I am walking into, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve earned another drop in.

Dad’s been rather quiet lately, and while Angie mentioned he’s been wanting to back off, I don’t buy it. Heneverlets go of the reins when it comes to me. I haven’t seen Dad since I moved here, and I’d like to avoid him until I have good news to share.

Then again, with how unpredictable my father can be, I must stay ten steps ahead so he never catches me slipping.

I hope that Darius will give me a heads up beforehand. My brother has the luxury of being a free bird who has earned his trust. Regina is the spitting image of Cici. And then there’s me, the odd one out.

It’s not that I don’t love this family or being a part of it. I’m grateful for our history and understand how hard we’ve worked for all we have. I’m not naive to the sacrifices we’ve made for success or survival, nor am I embarrassed. So my family has buried some skeletons along the way, who hasn’t? Except when civilians say “skeletons,” they don’tactuallymean bodies.

But we do.

The closer I get to my office, the looks on everyone’s faces tell me all I need to know. Visits from my familyreallykill the mood around here. My guess is Darius, Regina, or Dad. My money is on the latter. I’m not sure why anyone needs to check on me now that Scar is here studying my every move and likely sending daily updates to them, even if Regina’s the one who hired him. Surely his updates go straight up the pipeline to my parents.

I’m greeted by an awkward silence the moment I step off the elevator, and I brace for impact. The Klarke on the other side of this door is gonna ruin my fucking day. I take a deep breath and turn the knob to find none other than my father seated at my desk, wearing a hopeful smile that has indeed ruined my day.

“Hi, Daddy,” I say, attempting to sound excited.

“Hey, Dee,” he croons, getting up to wrap me in a bear hug. It’s a far cry from the abrupt phone call we last had. But this is the cycle. He hovers, we get into it, he comes crawling back after my mother catches wind of it, and then it starts over again from the top.

His deep baritone voice is soothing as he holds me tight, bringing me back to moments when I was a child and he still cherished the softness within me. It’s the same softness he now wishes I didn’t have.

“I miss you so much,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

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