Page 90 of The Dark Obsession

I crane my neck to face Rafael. “In the house. He’ll be out soon.”

“Shut up,” Lucy screeches and turns on Rafael.

“Lucy, please just let her leave.” Rafael grimaces as he moves.

“I have just had an idea, Mr Alcazar,” Lucy mocks. She pushes the gun into her waistline and retrieves a knife.

“You’re sick,” Rafael spits.

Lucy turns on her heels in almost a curtsey.

Rafael’s body shakes, kicks, and struggles against the ropes.

“Rosalie, hunny,” she whispers in my ear, the knife’s sharpened blade against my cheek. “Come sit next to Raffy.” Her hand flicks lightly.

I move too late as the knife slices through my cheek. Its searing edge burns deeply. She pushes me forward, and I watch my feet move over the stone flooring. Warm blood stains my cheek, the taste of metal permeating my lips.

Rafael struggles against his restraints, desperate for liberation.

A blow crashes into my lower back, bringing me to my knees in front of Rafael. I look at him; not a single murmur escapes my lips. Instead, I smile and bite down hard, my cries stuck behind the lump that’s still trapped in my throat.

Rafael’s exposed chest heaves as he thrashes harder against his restraints. “Rose,” he says, barely audible. Cuts litter his chest; his skin is angry, swollen, and red.

I kneel and bow my head, tears brimming in my eyes.

Lucy’s fingers entangle in my hair and drag me to the side. My back throbs where her foot had landed. “Stay still,” she grunts, tying my wrists against the same beam as Rafael.

Rafael’s hands are burning hot when they clasp onto my shaking fingers.

Lucy stands in front of us, a smile spreading across her childish face. “What did you do to Dale?” She stands, staring down at me.

As if her words called upon him, the barn door smashes open. Dale stands in the doorway, his shoulders squared and his face demented. “You sneaky little cow!” He stands for a moment, beholding the scene, and approaches Lucy. His lips brush hers, and he turns to observe us again.

Rafael’s breath catches in his throat. His fingers tighten around mine, his whole body shifting as close to me as possible. “What do you want?”

The stable echoes as Dale’s laughter projects around us. “I just want to play.” He claps his hands together. With two large strides, Dale’s right above us, a sadistic grin stretching across his face. “What would hurt Rosalie the most is not for her to feel pain, but for us to inflict it on Rafael.” He kneels at Rafael’s feet. “Good idea, by the way.” He nods to the ropes tied around Rafael’s legs.

Lucy giggles, tenderly rubbing Dale’s back.

Rafael’s eyebrow, cut and bruised, rises. “What the fuck is going on?” His fingers fiddle with the rope on my hands.

Understanding dawns on me. I realise he’s trying to stall. My chest rises heavily. Each time I breathe, pain shoots from my ribs to my stomach. I assess the damage; my stomach is a deep red colour.

“Well, I was on the balcony of your home, and Lucy found me and opened the door—quite the hospitable young lady.” Dale laughs as if talking to old friends.

Rafael’s constant tugging against the rope has loosened it around my wrists enough that I can slip my friction-burned wrists through. My heart thuds, adrenalin speeding around my body, causing me to feel dizzy. My wrists ache when they are finally free. I slowly move my stiff fingers and shift nervously, trying to get a better grasp at Rafael’s rope.

“She told me all about the dirty scumbag Rafael and how he broke her heart. No girl deserves to have her heart broken.” Dale frowns and eyes Lucy.

“He made it very clear …” I say, trying to keep the conversation going. My fingers move more frantically now, my nails breaking against the rough texture of the rope.

Rafael peers at me, his body shifting again, ready to break free.

I swallow back the pain and try to unravel Rafael’s restraints.

“No!” Lucy’s shrill voice pierces my ears. “He threw me aside the second you came into the picture.”

Dale rubs Lucy’s fingers. “Just like Rose did to me, so we decided we could have payback.”

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