Page 91 of The Dark Obsession

“But why kill her mother?” Rafael’s deep voice booms.

My fingers release the last knot, and Rafael’s hands fall free. He grips onto my fingers, then releases them. He pans from me to Lucy. I know who I need to aim for.

“Oh, that.” Dale rolls his eyes as if her life means nothing. “I was on my way to see Rosa. She was carrying a suitcase, and I offered to help. That’s when she told me where she was going. I knew she was your mother. What a better time to bond than over a tragic event?”

My mouth hangs open. “You killed her to get closer to me?” My voice shakes.

“And your father figured out that I hurt you. Your darling brother must have told him, so he cornered me—on his own, that brave old man.”

My insides shudder, an ache deep inside—my father’s last act of bravery. My eyes stay dry. I have no tears left to burn down my face.

Dale proffers his hand, and Lucy passes him the knife. “It’s time.” Dale smiles. He leans in towards Rafael, and the knife’s tip punctures his bare chest.

Rafael’s right fist moves in one long swift motion, smacking the side of Dale’s head. The knife drops from his hand and clatters to the floor.

The adrenalin kicks in, and I snatch the knife off the floor and jump to my feet.

Chapter 28

Rafael’s rock-solid fist moves quickly, hitting Dale in the gut, he drops instantly. After a couple of heavy blows to Dale’s head, he stops. Rafael’s whole frame shakes so much he’s a blur.

Lucy’s screams drown out any other sound.

Rafael’s hands start fumbling against the rope on his legs, his knuckles are a bloody mess.

Lucy glares down at Rafael, taking no notice of me at all. Her hand moves fast to her waistline.

I don’t even think, I’m running towards her, the knife angled away from her. I throw myself on her, the force of my jump knocking us both to the floor.

She slams to the ground beneath me, the gun flying from her hand.

“Keep her down,” Rafael shouts.

I hold her arms and sit on her stomach, her eyes are wide with fury. I’m livid as I look at her pale, bony face, my temper gone, absolutely miles away. My fist cracks her nose, blood splatters across her face, spraying my chest.

She cowers under me, her hand covering her face.

“You’re a fucking psycho,” I scream at her. Another crack and my fist collides again with her face, and again. Her body flops as my arm recoils for one more punch.

“Stop.” Rafael clasps my fist mid punch. He pans from Lucy’s bloody face to me and pulls me to my feet. “That’s enough.”

We run, and I glance back at the bloody scene to see Dale and Lucy motionless on the floor.

Rafael pulls me along, away from the farmhouse.

“My brother,” I scream as he lifts me off my feet.

“I know!” He stumbles under my thrashing weight. “He’s not there.”

“Put me down!”

He releases me, and his strides get longer.

I struggle to keep up, but he holds my hand so tight my fingers hurt, pulling me along behind him. The car glints in a slither of moonlight that slips through the clouds. Each part of my body burns deeply. I wail as we stop, and Rafael retrieves his keys from under the car. The lights flicker, and I grab the door and climb in. My body’s vibration shakes the whole car.

Rafael gets in and flicks the locks.

The car hums to life, and within seconds, we pass the farmhouse. The barn door is wide open, exposing movement in the dull light.

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