Page 33 of Obsession

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The keys rattle in the ignition.

The backseat is immaculate.

“What are you waiting for?”

I lock eyes with Elliot, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge.

“Rule number four: Trust your gut instinct.”

“Actually, I think I’ll pass on the lift.”

I shut the door, making for my car, when he stumbles out of his vehicle.

“What are you gonna do? Sleep in your car?”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“C’mon, don’t be silly. Let me drive you home.”

My eyes skate to the ruined tire. I narrow my gaze and tilt my head a fraction before I look back at him. “Was there really a queue, Elliot?”

“What?” He looks startled. “What are you talking about?”

“Back at the restaurant… You were gone for a long time.”

When he steps closer to me, I jerk back.

A muscle clenches his jaw. “You can’t sleep in your car, Savannah.”

“I’ll figure it out.” I jut my chin in the direction of his vehicle. “Go home, Elliot.”

“Are you serious? Do you think I did this?” He points to my tire.

“Just go.”

His eyes narrow, and then, as the door to the restaurant opens across the parking lot, he snorts. “You know what. Suit yourself. If you want to freeze to death in your car, that’s on you.”

I don’t breathe again until he peels out of the parking lot, his tires squealing. The glow of his headlights soon fades into nothingness.

Flurries of snowflakes land on the tip of my nose. The wind is deadly calm. Silence settles around me, and I scan the darkparking lot, noting the dim lamppost nearby. It really is the perfect spot to get away with a crime.

Robbie’s voice whispers in my mind once more.“Trust your gut instinct.”

14

ROBBIE

Lounging on the cot, mindlessly watching the blaring TV, I turn my gaze toward the door as the slot flips open.

“Tray, inmate.”

I slide off the bed, collect my tray, and walk the few steps to the door.

Miller takes it as I slide it through, and then his fingers make an appearance, a note pinched between his digits. “It’s gonna cost you,” he says.

A chuckle rumbles in my chest as I take it off him. “You say that every time.”

“She’s a firecracker.”

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