Page 2 of Toxic Obsession

“Let’s just hope the threats I just gave him work. But Brody, if at all possible, I don’t want you around him alone. If Bell and I aren’t home, try to stay in here as much as you can, and keep my door locked. Got it?” I pulled him in for a hug.

“Yeah.” He clung to me, his thin frame shaking. “Thanks, Quinn.”

Heartache gripped my chest. “Love ya, kiddo.”

“Yup. You, too.” He straightened and wiped the moisture from his cheeks.

“Got homework? If so, go get it. You can hang out with me tonight.” I patted the side of my bed where my schoolbooks were piled.

His face lit up. “Okay!” He bolted out of the room.

Bell walked to the door and poked her head into the hall, keeping an eye on him. “I’m not sure how much more he can take, Quinn. You were always the tough one, always have been …” She glanced at me, fear etched into her expression.

“I know. I’ll figure something out.”

She smiled as Brody flew back past her and leapt onto my bed. I forced a laugh, not feeling the same excitement he did. Despite my efforts to be a good big brother, I had let him down more times than I could count.

“I’ll leave you guys to study,” Bell said, giving me a wistful look that made my heart skip a beat. “Thanks.”

Our gazes locked briefly before she walked out of my room. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would ever see her again.

Chapter1

Wynter

Five Years Later

“Take your clothes off.” Dimitri winked at me, his Russian accent thick with lust.

I laughed, the sound echoing through the photography studio. “You’re such a perv.”

“It’s why you like me.” He ran his fingers through his dark hair, his blue-grey eyes flashing with eagerness. “You can start anywhere you’re most comfortable.” He motioned with his hand to the room that included a green screen, a bed, and a chair that looked like it came from an Ikea dining set. After the photoshoot was finished, Dimitri would add different backdrops to make the images appear more lifelike.

Dimitri had approached me one day when I was grocery shopping. He gave me his business card and promised me the money would be worth my time. I was intrigued to say the least, and the rest was history. I’d worked with Dimitri for a few years, and I’d grown to trust him, but I still got nervous at the beginning of a shoot.

I removed the bobby pins from the messy bun on the top of my head, letting my strawberry blonde hair cascade over my shoulders. Using my fingers, I fluffed the thick waves.

“Beautiful.” Dimitri reached for a lock, twirling it around his hand before he let it go and draped it over my shoulder. “I changed my mind. Let’s begin in the chair.” He backed away, then collected a big, white shirt off the top of the cabinet that safely secured his cameras and lenses.

Dimitri was one of the best photographers in the business, which was intriguing in itself, but he was also gorgeous and dripped with sex appeal. So far, Dimitri had kept his word and never touched me, but I wouldn’t have objected if he had. When we first started to work together, he said his job was to take the pictures, not play with the employees. I appreciated that I could trust his words.

“Change into this.” He held the piece of clothing out to me.

“Thanks.” I raised an eyebrow at him, then pulled off my baby-blue T-shirt and dropped it to the tan carpeted floor. “No use changing in the dressing room when you’re going to see it all anyway.”

He rubbed his lightly stubbled jaw and grinned as I removed my plain beige bra.

My heart skipped a beat, my body tingling with nerves as the cool air in the studio brushed across my nipples, making them harden in seconds. Kicking off my flip-flops, I slipped out of my shorts but left my thong in place for the time being. I took the oversized button-down shirt from him and put it on, leaving the front gaping open slightly to showcase my flat stomach and the swell of my breasts. I’d prepared for the photo sessions enough times that it was almost second nature anymore.

“Perfect. Now straddle the chair and face me.” He held his camera as he waited for me to settle in.

My bare feet padded across the small room, and I sat down, waiting for his next suggestion.

“Relax.” Dimitri snapped a few pictures. “Are you ready?” The soft clicks of the shutter filled the room.

“Hell yes. I need some stress relief.” I laughed, propping my elbow on the back of the chair. “Where’s my music?”

Dimitri paused, then reached into his jeans pocket and removed his phone. “You pick.” He handed it to me, snapping away as I searched through Spotify before landing on “I’m Not Sorry” by Neoni. It was the perfect song to start the session.

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