Page 66 of Twisted Obsession

He laughs. The sound is startling and sudden, and as soon as my surprise fades, I find myself laughing, too. Maybe he already knows, and it’s an ironic nickname.

“One day soon, I’ll show you why I call you that.”

He steps back.

I watch him go, and only when he’s gone do I realize I’m hopelessly turned on. A far cry from the fear and hurt I was drowning in when he came in.

23

JACOB

There are a few things at play—a few mysteries to solve.

But the first and most urgent thing is figuring out who is investigating Melody’s attack. I’m done calling it an incident—it was neverincidental. It was an attack from someone trying to kill her.

But all of that is put on hold when my father calls me.

Dad doesn’t call often. We’re not really the social conversationalists.

“Hey, Dad,” I greet him, putting the phone on speaker. “What’s up?”

“Vicky mentioned that you’re taking her and Richard to dinner.”

I pause. “Um, yeah. We fly in tomorrow, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”

“And your old man wasn’t going to get an invite?”

Oh.

Well, I can’t exactly get information out of Vicky with the police chief breathing down our necks, can I? And that kind of messes with bringing Melody—no doubt he’d comment on her age or ask her questions she can’t answer.

Can. Of. Worms.

“Do you want to come to dinner with us tomorrow night?” Then the game the following night. There’s way too much potential for family bonding.

My father grunts. “It’s not me you should be asking, but your mother.”

Right.

“Okay. I’ll give her a call—”

“Are you not sleeping?”

He’s checking points off a list. Just breezing down it so he can get off the phone faster. First up, soothing whatever hurt Mom feels at the thought of being left out. Even though I just saw her a week ago. Now the insomnia. Which means Vicky mentioned something of our conversations… and since her shift doesn’t start until eleven-thirty, he’s put two and two together.

Wonder what else is coming.

“I’m sleeping,” I hedge.

Just… not a lot.

If I thought it was bad without Melody, it’s ten times worse with her here. Now I just stay awake to watch her, to touch her.

“They have pills to help that sort of thing. Or more exercise—”

“I exercise plenty.” Jesus. “It’s fine, Dad. Tell Mom I’m sleeping.”

“Okay. Fine. And now, Fourth of July…”

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