Page 63 of His to Possess
The mention of his name sent a jolt through me. I looked up, startled by the sudden edge in his tone. It wasn't the first time I had noticed this—the way his eyes hardened when Rex came up, the undercurrent of animosity in his voice.
"Why do you always do that?" I asked, unable to keep the frustration from my voice. "Every time Rex's name comes up, you react like… like he's your sworn enemy or something."
His jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite read. The silence stretched between us, taut and uncomfortable.
"You're right," he finally said, his voice low. "I suppose I owe you an explanation."
I leaned forward, pulse quickening. "I'm listening."
His eyes met mine, and I was struck by the intensity in them. "I care about your wellbeing, Laurel. And I think you deserve to know everything before you get in too deep with Rex."
My breath caught. "What do you mean?"
"Rex and I… we have a history. A history that involves a woman who was once in a similar position to yours."
His hesitation was palpable, the weight of his words hanging in the air between us. I leaned forward, my heart racing, as he began to speak.
"Lola was… a friend." His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. "She was brilliant. A rising star in the art world as a critic, a light much like you. And Rex, he saw her potential."
The pain in August's eyes made my stomach clench. I gripped my coffee cup tighter, bracing myself for what was to come.
"At first, it was like a fairy tale. Rex showered her with attention, opportunities, everything she could dream of. But there was a price."
"What do you mean?" I whispered, dreading the answer.
His eyes snapped back to mine, intense and sorrowful. "Control, Laurel. Absolute control. He isolated her, manipulated her, made her dependent on him. And when she lost herself…"
He trailed off, shaking his head. The implications of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. I thought of Rex's rules, his schedules, the way he had inserted himself into every aspect of my life.
"What happened to her?"
August's expression darkened. "She broke. The pressure, the constant manipulation… it was too much. She tried to—" He stopped abruptly, swallowing hard. "She hurt herself, Laurel. Badly."
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. The restaurant around us faded away, and all I could see was August's pained expression, all I could hear were his devastating words.
"Is she okay?" I managed to ask, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.
August shook his head slowly. "She survived, but she's never been the same. The Lola I knew, the vibrant, passionate girl, she's gone."
Tears stung my eyes as I processed his words. I thought of my own situation—the contract, the rules, the way Rex had insinuated himself into every aspect of my life. A chill ran down my spine.
His gaze softened, and he reached across the table, covering my hand with his. His touch was warm, a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in my bones. I was stunned by the gesture, surprised to find myself wanting to lean into his comfort.
"I'm telling you this because I care, Laurel. I've seen the way Rex operates. He's a master manipulator, and you're falling into his trap." His voice was intense, filled with a conviction that made my skin prickle.
I pulled my hand away, feeling an unexpected rush of anger. "So, you're saying I'm just another victim, waiting to be rescued? I don't need your protection, August."
The hurt flashed in his eyes before he masked it with a forced smile. "I never said that. But I know what Rex is capable of. You have to be careful."
I crossed my arms, the air between us growing thick with tension. "What, exactly, are you trying to protect me from? The perks of my arrangement with Rex are pretty clear."
His eyes hardened at the mention of my relationship with Rex. "The perks don't make up for the price of your freedom, your identity. He's obsessive, Laurel. Controlling."
"And you're not?" I challenged, my frustration getting the better of me. "You both seem to enjoy playing these little power games."
He leaned back, his eyes glinting with hurt and determination. "Fair enough. But I promise you, my intentions are not the same as his."
"How can I even be sure of that? For all I know, you're just as manipulative. Maybe this is all some game to you." My voice was thick with accusation, and I couldn't stop the words fromspilling out. I hated how vulnerable I felt, but I couldn't ignore the warning bells ringing in my head.
