Page 33 of The Dark Obsession

The phone goes dead before Rafael has the chance to reply, and Dale gets in his car. Rafael puts the phone on my desk and furrows his eyebrows at me. He allows the corner of his pale pink lips to turn up into a grin.“It’s okay.”

“Come home with me,” I whisper, and he nods.

I check the time; my mother’s death brings my father to Woodbury town. He’s due to arrive today after not visiting here for many years. Benjamin will collect him and review the necessary steps. I can’t bring myself to help; seeing him will be painful enough.

Rafael rushes around his office, finishing what he can and organising his early leave. Rafael suggests we go to his house first, because he’s sure Dale will follow.

I stand, surveying the Jaguar parked so close to the driver’s side of my car it would be impossible to get in from that side.

Dale steps out a few times and smokes a cigarette whilst staring directly at the office window, then gets back in his car.

“Rosa …” Rafael’s hand grasps my shoulder. “Ben has your father. They’re with the police. We are going to leave here now.”

I face him, startled. “Already?” I whisper and grab my phone off his desk, my hands shaking.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him hurt you,” Rafael whispers, pulling me into a gentle and short embrace. His hand which strokes my hair shakes too, so sightly I barely notice it. He smiles reassuringly as he rests a hand on my back and leads me from the office.

I feel safe as he takes me out the front door, then we almost jog to his car parked only several cars from Dale. My leg muscles tense up so bad I struggle to take the next step, when a car door slamming startles me.

“Rosa!”

I keep my focus on the car I’m about to get into.

Rafael tightens his grip on my upper arm and pulls me forward. We reach the car, and he swings the door open leading me inside so fast I don’t even have the time to look at Dale. Dale storms up to Rafael, his hands balled into giant, bony fists. The door slams shut at the same time the tiny beep indicates the car is locked.

Rafael and Dale stand face to face, Dale is taller, but Rafael makes up for it in sheer ruggedness. Dale glares down at Rafael, who simply squares his shoulders and smiles. Rafael, my boss, who has no reason to protect me, stands in front of the car ready to fight, ready to protect me. Rafael steps backwards from the car, his eyes smouldering with excitement for the oncoming confrontation.

“Dale,” Rafael says bluntly.

“Rosalie, what are you doing?” Dale asks, ignoring Rafael.

“Dale, you’ve been harassing this poor woman all day. Don’t you think she’s going through enough?” Rafael’s eyes narrow.

“I just want to talk to her. Why are you preventing me from doing that?” Dale steps towards Rafael.

My hands tremble against the locked door handle as I watch helplessly from the sidelines. I fear for Rafael, his head barely reaching Dale’s jaw. I only just realise how tall Dale really is, or how small my five foot seven is.Rafael, please walk away.My hand closes on the door handle, ready to get out to protect Rafael.

It happens too fast for my jaw to drop. Dale’s fist crashes into Rafael’s jaw with immense power, which knocks Rafael into the side of the car. I struggle at the door handle, trying to force it open, but it remains firmly locked as Dale grabs Rafael’s shoulders and stands him upright.

“Open thedamn door!” Dale shouts.

“Make me.” Rafael grins, shrugging away from Dale’s grasp, and steps backwards. He wipes the blood from his lip, smearing it across the sleeve of his light-green shirt, as he opens his arms, seemingly ready to embrace the beating.

Dale straightens his shirt and looks at me through the window. His eyes fill with tears, no trace of anger left. “I told you, Rosalie. I knew he wanted you.” Dale moves closer to the window and bends to look at me.

My eyes fill with angry tears.

“What? Want her?” Rafael says in a barely audible but disgusted growl.

“Don’t bullshit me.” Dale straightens up and bangs his huge hand on the car’s roof. He turns to face Rafael. “I’ll talk to her soon enough.” A lopsided grin spreads across his face as he turns to me and blows a kiss.

A shiver runs down my spine, chilling me from inside out.

Rafael watches Dale stroll to his car, as if nothing happened.

Dale’s car revs loudly before speeding off. Once Dale’s car is out of sight, Rafael clicks the car key, finally letting me out.

I stumble from the car, rush to Rafael, and warily wrap my arms around him. “Thank you,” I cry on his shoulder.

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