Page 56 of Taunt Me (Dark Odyssey 2)

Ma started crying and Pa looked distraught.

When I saw I was getting nowhere with them I went up to my room and just left them to it.

I only ventured back downstairs an hour ago to grab a late lunch Ma had already prepped for me. She made me one of my favorite stir-fry’s and left some cookies on the side. It was her way of setting the stage to talk if I wanted to. I contemplated talking a little more, maybe later.

Tessa, one of the realtors I’d gotten to know well, called to ask me to meet her at five so I ate what I could and made my way to the apartment I’d fallen for from the classy images on the real estate website.

Tessa was going to be here in twenty minutes but had told me it was okay to go inside and look around.

I was only happy to because I felt looking around by myself first would have a different feel to it than being shown around.

I actually wouldn’t know since this was going to be my first place. I lived with my parents prior to Antonio taking me and all the time I was with Antonio we lived in the same place.

I parked my car in the parking complex which was also classy.

As I walked into the elevator I tried to calm myself. I had that feeling of being watched which I didn’t like.

Who would though, and what the hell was I going to do?

Just the mention of Tobias’ name and my parents looked terrified. They knew who he was. I’d never heard of him prior to going to Italy. I knew of the Antonellas but not him specifically.

When I saw their reaction I knew I worse couldn’t tell them any of the other stuff, and I didn’t mean the part about him killing Antonio and the way that he did it too.

His obsession with me made me sick and was the very reason I had to leave and get away from this life.

If normal people had gotten the kind of message I received the answer would be to go to the police.

Mention the name Antonella to my family and everyone looked like they were about to shit themselves and head for the hills. Pa even suggested that, because

there was fuck all anyone could do. My family had no alliances with anyone and the only person I knew who could protect me if shit hit the fan was Gabe. But I’d told him I couldn’t be with him anymore.

My parents and I got into a terrible argument when I put my foot down and told them I wasn’t going to allow anyone to get to me or dictate how I lived my life.

That sounded a lot more ballsy than I truly felt but it was my will and desire to fight and put my life back on track lashing out on survival instinct.

So now I’m here and I’m determined to focus today on good things.

I pull in a steady breath as the elevator door pings open and I actually smile as the breathtaking scene before me lulls me into the anticipation of living here.

I step out into the hallway. It’s wide with a soft pink and champagne coloring that works perfectly with the wrought iron chandeliers that line the walkway. What catches my attention the most is the view of the Chicago skyline mingling with the river.

It’s before me in the floor to ceiling glass windows that gives the pathway that elegant finish.

Excitement takes me as I walk down the hall and I hope the same set up is in the apartment.

I’m looking for number seventeen.

It’s at the end and as I get to the door my smile widens with satisfaction and hope. The door is open and I can see the floor to ceiling windows lining the whole left side of the apartment. I walk onto polished floor boards and over to a grand piano in the center of the room.

“Oh my God. I want this.” I’m having it. It will be mine just for this room

alone. I’d have a field day in here.

I take a step to the left to go into one of the bedrooms but I swear I hear a

weird crunching noise.

I hear it again, and then someone clearing their throat.

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