Page 11 of Saved from Obsession

I’m still kneeling in front of Georgia, so her gaze meets mine first. Her lashes are wet, eyes red-rimmed, but the blue is bright as ever. There’s a quick zap of something between us—the tingle when you get a shock from static electricity—except it’s a pleasant kind of pain instead of a bad one.

The room is filled with a heavy silence. No one seems to want to be the one to break it, until Georgia finally blurts out, “I’m sorry.”

Not again. She really needs to stop apologizing for being upset. If she wasn’t upset after seeing that video,thenI’d think something was wrong with her.

“Stop.” My voice is rougher than I meant it to be, and I gentle it before continuing. “Georgia, don’t apologize. We’reallupset.“ I pat her knee and say, “It’s a natural reaction. Even Rylan cries sometimes, like the times we beat him in darts and he claims we’re cheating.”

“Hey.” Rylan jumps in, immediately understanding what I’m doing. “I wasn’t crying. It was dusty in there. And you did cheat. I never lose in darts. That’s a fact.”

“What about when you lost to Maya?” Cole moves so he’s in Georgia’s view. To her, he explains, “Rylan brags about being so good at darts, he trained as a sharpshooter, and he loses to my fiancée, Maya. Who has no weapons or military experience at all.”

One corner of Georgia’s mouth is pulling up, not a smile, but getting close to it. “I’m pretty good at darts.” Her voice is still soft and uncertain, but at least it’s not wobbling.

“We could get a dart board set up at the duplex.” I’m sure the owner won’t mind some holes in the wall. I can always spackle over them later.

“Oh yeah,” Rylan chuckles. “Then I’ll show you all who the champ really is.”

“What do you think?” I meet Georgia’s gaze, relieved to see some of her fear fading. “Should I bring a dart board along? Maybe some other games, too?”

I’m rewarded with a slight curve of her lips. “I would really like that.” Then a pause, and a small smile spreads across her features. “I love games. If you don’t mind…”

“I don’t mind at all, Georgia. I’m happy to do it.” If she wants games, I’ll bring a huge stack of them for her. Anything to see that smile again.

CHAPTERFOUR

GEORGIA

My emotions have been bouncing around like they’re in a pinball machine ever since I got up this morning.

I start to feel hopeful that the end of this nightmare might be in sight, but then fear comes crashing into it. The best way to catch my stalker is if he shows up where I’m staying, but the thought of him getting that close to me is terrifying. Even though I know I’m going to be protected by experts, my mind can’t stop what-if-ing.

Anticipation has been building since the moment Leo told me that Blade and Arrow was going to help me. There’s a lift of excitement that things are headed back in a positive direction, that once the stalker is gone I can start to rebuild my life, even if it won’t be the same as before.

Then worry works its way in, knocking the anticipation off track. I’m going to be essentially living with the three men who are supposed to protect me, and I haven’t lived with anyone in years. They all seemed nice when I met them, and I’m not concerned that they’ll hurt me, but I can’t stop the anxiety from slithering in.

And then there’s the constant self-consciousness that follows me everywhere I go. I know it’s the least of my worries, and so superficial I shouldn’t even think about it. But I can’t stop. These men are going to see my damaged face every day, and I hate it.

I could have been hurt so much worse than I was. I could have beenkilled. But for much of my life, my face and body were the only things I had of value. And now that one of them has been ruined forever, and I don’t know where it leaves me.

But that’s something I’ll have to deal with later. Once the stalker is gone—oh please, let him be stopped—that’s when I’ll have to face my new reality. A former model with only a high school diploma and barely any money left to live on, trying to find a new career and identity.

For now, I just need to concentrate on doing whatever the Blade and Arrow guys tell me. If there’s anything I can do to make their jobs easier, I’ll do it. Go over everyone from my past with Leo a hundred times over? Done. Cook for them whenever they’re on guard duty? I’ll do that, too, though I’m not sure if they will appreciate my sad attempts at cooking.

I was a model living in a tiny studio in New York City. Cooking wasn’t exactly a priority for me. But I can practice. Figure out some way to show my appreciation for everything they’re doing for me. I could knit them all scarves, crochet them gloves or mittens, but I don’t really think that’s the kind of gift they would like.

Picturing Leo, all six-plus feet of him, with a fuzzy scarf draped across his broad chest? I don’t see it. He probably doesn’t even wear a winter coat. I bet he’s one of those men who never feels the cold, could wear a T-shirt even in the winter.

When he touched my knee, I could feel the heat of his hand nearly burning into me. I know it didn’t mean anything—he was just trying to help me—but I haven’t forgotten the comforting weight of his hand since then. And for such a big man, he was surprisingly gentle.

I didn’t talk to Cole and Rylan as much as Leo, but they both seemed perfectly nice. Kind. Respectful of my space—I noticed they were careful not to crowd me, like they thought that because of my trauma, I might be afraid of them. And I appreciated it, even though my experience hasn’t made me afraid of all men.

And when Leo looked at me with his warm hazel eyes, a small smile pulling at his lips as he asked about playing darts? Idefinitelywasn’t afraid of him.

Not that I’m expecting him to actually bring a dart board. I’m sure the guys have more important things to do than play games with me. I brought a stack of books, along with a giant tote of crafting materials, and that should be enough to occupy me.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay here the first night?” Hayden sets the last of my bags on the living room floor and looks at me with concern. In the week since she got to New York to stay with me, it’s become her default expression. Not that I blame her—if the positions were reversed I’d feel the same way—but I still feel bad about it.

“No, Hayden. It’s really okay.” I force a smile, hoping it looks more genuine than it feels. “Leo and Cole and Rylan are here, I’m totally fine. Your flight is set to leave in a couple of hours. Go home and spend some time with your sexy husband.”

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