Page 64 of His to Possess
August closed his eyes for a moment, as if gathering himself. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet, intense. "You don't know the half of it, Laurel. He's dangerous in ways you can't even imagine."
"Oh, and you do?" My voice dripped with sarcasm as I braced myself for whatever revelation he thought would scare me away.
August nodded, his eyes fixed on me. "He has a room, Laurel. A secret place where he keeps souvenirs."
The air between us seemed to freeze. "Souvenirs?" My voice was little more than a whisper.
"From his 'collectibles.'" His eyes held a warning. "He's obsessive about it. It's his trophy room, a testament to his fixation."
"You're lying," I whispered, but my pulse was racing. I tried to picture Rex engaging in something so depraved, but my mind refused to cooperate.
"I wish I were. He's a collector, Laurel. And you're just another item on his list."
The restaurant around us faded into a blur as his words washed over me. I wanted to deny it, to scream at him for painting Rex in such a twisted light. But something held me back.
August leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper, forcing me to lean in. "Lola wasn't the first, and she wasn't the last. He's meticulous, Laurel. A true obsessive, a fucking wicked man. And his collection will keep on growing. Even after you."
I felt ill as his words sank in, imagining a room filled with evidence of Rex's obsessions. What about me? The idea that I could become another trinket on his shelf made my skin crawl.
"He has to be stopped, Laurel. I tried to do it once, but I failed. Now, I'm asking you to be careful. Please."
"Why should I believe you? Why now?"
"Because I care about you, Laurel." His eyes searched mine, desperate for me to understand. "And I know what he's capable of. I'm trying to protect you from the kind of pain that can't be undone. Like what happened to Lola."
I stared at him, my mind reeling. The intimacy of the moment was at odds with the horror of his words. I thought of the penthouse, the elegant rooms that had become my prison. The idea that proof of Rex's depravities might be hidden within those very walls was almost too much to bear.
"I know it's hard to believe, but I want you to be safe. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you."
Dread took hold of me as his words sank in. Could August be right? Was I walking into a trap, blinded by my own ambition and Rex's allure?
I thought of the contract, the carefully constructed clauses that bound me to him. The exclusivity, the control, the financial and professional stranglehold. My heart hammered in my chest as the truth began to dawn on me. Rex's obsession went far beyond mere attraction.
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of confusion and fear, and got up, wanting only to escape. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
"Believe me when I say that I wouldn't risk our friendship if I didn't think it was necessary." His gaze was fierce, his eyes imploring me to trust him. "Please, Laurel. Be careful. Don't let him control you."
His final warning rang in my ears as I left the restaurant, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and half-formed plans. The urge to uncover the truth warred with my fear of what I might find, setting the stage for a dangerous exploration into the depths of Rex's twisted world.
Chapter 22
Laurel
I stepped into Rex's penthouse, the silence wrapping around me like a smothering blanket. The elevator doors slid shut behind me with a soft hiss, leaving me alone in the vast, empty space. My heart pounded in my chest as I took in the familiar surroundings, now tainted by August's chilling words.
I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions. August's warning echoed in my mind: "He's a collector, Laurel. And you're just another item on his list." The words twisted my stomach into knots, casting a sinister shadow over every moment I had shared with Rex.
Part of me screamed to turn around, to flee this gilded cage and never look back. To end this twisted game before I lost myself completely. But a deeper, more insistent voice urged me forward. I needed to know the truth, no matter how ugly it might be.
I stood frozen at the entrance, my body tense with indecision. Memories of passionate nights and tender moments warred withthe growing suspicion in my gut. Rex's touch, once thrilling, now felt like a brand on my skin. His words of desire, once intoxicating, now rang hollow in my ears.
The weight of what I was about to do settled on my shoulders like a physical burden. If I went through with this, if I searched for evidence of Rex's true nature, there would be no going back. Our relationship, contract or not, would be irreparably changed.
I made my way down the hallway to the art vault, my heart racing with each step. The familiar keypad loomed before me, and I hesitated for a moment before entering the code. Part of me hoped it wouldn't work, giving me an excuse to abandon this reckless search. But the door slid open with a soft hiss, granting me access to Rex's inner sanctum.
The vault stretched before me, filled with priceless artworks that had once taken my breath away. Now, they felt like silent witnesses to whatever secrets Rex might be hiding. I began my search methodically, running my fingers along the edges of frames, tapping walls for hollow spaces, and examining every inch of the room for any sign of hidden compartments.
Minutes ticked by as I came up empty-handed. Frustration built within me, threatening to overwhelm my determination. I leaned against a wall, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. What was I missing? I tried to think like Rex, to see the room through his calculating eyes.
