Page 82 of The Dark Obsession

Chapter 26

We move to the stairwell, each step feeling like a step closer to Hell. My phone startles us both when it rings in my pocket.

Rafael’s fists clench as the name on the screen of my phone flashes—Dale.

We stop on floor six’s landing. I stand, staring out the window at the dark car park below.

Rafael kisses my head before answering the phone and urging me to talk.

“Rose,” Dale’s voice sounds down the phone.

“Where’s my brother?”

“What are you doing, love?”

“Where is he?”

“You answer my questions honestly, and I’ll answer yours.” I can almost see the smile behind his voice.

I stare at Rafael, pleading silently for a clue on what to say.

Rafael stares distractedly out the window.

“I’m—”

“Tell him the truth,” Rafael whispers in my ear.

“I’m at a hotel.”

“Your brother is alive,” Dale responds with a laugh. “See? This is fun. Let’s try another. Which hotel are you in?”

Rafael grabs my hand, pulls me up the stairs, and takes the phone. “Don’t be so trivial,” Rafael spits down the phone. “You know exactly where we are. I saw your car tucked away not so cleverly in the trees.”

“Oh, Rafael. Why are you doing this to yourself?” The shake in his voice indicates to us that he’s moving.

“What is it that you want, Dale? The love from a lady who despises you? Or is it just the satisfaction of causing misery?”

“You—!” Dale takes a deep breath. “You have no idea. Do you honestly believe she doesn’t think of me each time you touch her?”

Rafael laughs as he opens the hotel room door and pushes me inside. “Or how about when she holds me close, Dale? When she begs for me to stay by her side, because she’s scared? Is that really just for you?”

Butterflies flutter in my stomach at Rafael’s words.

He looks down apologetically at me as the silence intensifies.

“I know that’s not true.” Dale’s voice drops an octave.

“Surely, with all your stalking, you’ve seen where my lips have been. You’ve heard each sigh and seen each caress.”

I hold my breath, waiting for a response, but a bell chimes loudly as Dale ends the call. He’s in the building. I stare at Rafael, a frenzy builds and clatters against my chest, pulling all air from my lungs.

Rafael grabs my shoulders. “Calm,” he whispers.

“He’s coming.”

“He’s here. That means, for now, your brother is safe. Dale will find out what floor we are on. We have one option, and that’s to get him in here with us.” Rafael’s words trip over one another, his accent wild.

I nod, and Rafael pushes me onto the bed.

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