Page 116 of Their Stolen Obsession
I combed my hair, threw it up into a messy bun, and brushed my teeth.
Me:
How can I forget?
Unknown:
We’ll never fucking let you.
I sighed as I hurried down the stairwell, and I grabbed a light coat. Ready to get out of this goddamn condo with too many creaks everywhere I went. I was far too on edge and in need of my morning caffeine to become more vigilant. Last time I resisted Sin and Saint, they had forced me to comply with their aggressive compulsions. They made meunearth pleasures I had never known I desired until I met them and they compelled me to give a damn. Not only about them, but about myself. They made me realize I could have a better life, and right when that awareness struck me, Sebastian’s past came and bit me in the ass. Now I was free, with two unhinged phantoms breathing down my neck at every turn as they tried to keep me for all of eternity.
Me:
Then I’ll have to make this shit end.
Unknown:
Try us, little obsession. Push too hard and you know we love to shove back.
Me:
I’m betting on it.
I ignored any further infuriating text messages and pushed the front door open. I didn’t bother to lock the condo because a bolt wouldn’t keep these men out. Sin and Saint had bunkered down inside of my soul and wouldn’t leave me alone.
With Sebastian dead, my phantoms were sure to leave no trace of him anywhere, but time was against me for staying under his roof. I couldn’t live at his condo forever. The bank froze his assets, and I couldn’t access his cash, but I wasn’t a dummy. I had kept an emergency fund secretlystashed away in case our engagement didn’t work out and the arrangement blew up in my face. And it did—straight into a damn death trap.
I still saw Sebastian’s dead eyes every time I closed my eyes, and the cruel memories we had shared had resurfaced, living under the roof we had once shared. A fresh start was required for me all around, and I needed to be away from the violence I had survived as I freed myself from everyone’s control over me. It was time for me to make my own choices and decide where I wanted to be.
I turned away from the condo, the fortress Sebastian no longer locked me away in, and I was freer than I ever was. Excited for a brand-new beginning, but nervous all at the same time. I had doubts as anyone else would in my particular situation, but who the hell had circumstances such as mine?
I bet no one had a Mustang parked directly outside of their condo with an unhinged man behind the steering wheel. Hidden behind dark tinted windows doing God knew what while he waited, watched, and stalked me. I’d wager one hundred fucking thousand dollars that no one was in this exact predicament.
The black vehicle was cruising for a fine. That son of a bitch had taken up two parking spots directly outside of my front door. Pretty obvious if anyone asked me, done intentionally, only to get my attention.
I should report Saint Sullivan’s sorry ass to the police, but first I had to ensure it was him. With every furious bone in my body, I walked up to the car and held a hand up to the glass film. I glanced in and saw Saint, as expected. However, to my surprise, he laid on his side, snuggled up with a pillow and blanket. Fast asleep.
Goddamn, the cute-ass fucker wouldn’t be snoozing for long.
Rapidly, I knocked against the window of Saint’s vehicle. Nothing. He didn’t stir. I banged my fist against the glass, and he made a faint movement. One eye shot open, dazed from sleep, and he casually rolled down the window yawning at me.
“Morning, darling.” A slight streak of drool was on the side of Saint’s mouth. “What can I do for you?”
“Get the hell out of here before I call the police.” Unimpressed, I placed a hand on my hip and glared at him.
“Jesus, Liv, we both know you can’t call the cops because, baby, you killed someone,” Saint replied as he stretched in his seat and locked eyes with me. “I can’t have you getting in trouble.”
I sighed. Saint was right. I couldn’t draw any more unwanted attention to myself with a missing fiancé looming over my head. I needed to keep a lowprofile and hopefully put Sebastian’s death behind me.
“Fine. Point taken.” I made an air quote with my fingers. “What part of‘I need space’don’t you get?”
“What can I say Liv…” Saint shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m a man who’s lost without his girl, and I’ll do anything to make sure you’re okay.”
“Well, take a good look.” I backed away from Saint’s vehicle and let his eyes roam down my body. “I’m fine. Now fuck off.”
Saint’s stare shot up to my face. “No. I’m not leaving. I’m not going fucking anywhere. I’ll stay right here, parked outside of your door until you come back where you belong.”
A deep sigh escaped my parted lips. I was frustrated with Saint, but I couldn’t help wiping the drool from the corner of his delicious mouth. He grinned up at me as he bit at the air and almost caught the end of my finger.
