Page 149 of The Dark Obsession

“I’m afraid the option to walk away from this has long passed, John.”

All this time, Raffaele hasn’t moved from the door, seemingly unfazed at this development, keeping his own weapon lowered.

My father knows that this is his last chance. If he were to go through with killing Tyson, he’d be signing his own death sentence.

There’s no escape. Even if he somehow got out of this room alive, Raffaele’s men would take care of him before he could take a breath of fresh air.

Though what he doesn’t know is that this is exactly where we wanted him.

Ever so slowly, I slip out the gun Raffaele gave me. The one that has been discreetly tucked underneath my bulletproof vest, hidden from plain sight.

Without making a noise, I point the barrel at my father’s back, his attention still solely set on my brother.

He didn’t see this coming from the obedient, weak daughter.

That’s what he gets for underestimating my devotion for the only man who treated me right in my life.

Squeezing the trigger, the shot echoes violently in the small room as my father’s gun clatters to the ground, falling from his limp hand.

I got him right in the shoulder, effectively disabling the arm that was holding the weapon just seconds ago.

Who would have thought that the shooting lesson would actually pay off.

Whirling around with cry full of unmasked pain, my father lets Tyson fall. Utter shock written on his face at realizing my betrayal.

That’s right, I’m no longer his little girl and he has come to learn it the hard way.

When he frantically scrambles for the gun with his remaining good hand, Raffaele is already on him, slamming the butt of his Glock into the side of our father’s head, knocking him out cold.

It’s over.

I fall to my knees at Tyson’s side, cradling his head in my lap. He’s been watching me this whole time, barely keeping his bloodshot eyes open.

“Little…” He croaks, yet hardly any sound comes out.

“Shhh… You’ll be okay. You have to be.” My voice breaks as I gently stroke his stubbled cheek. “I can’t go on without you.”

He looks so broken in my hold.

That’s when I finally let the tears flow freely, dripping down onto his bloodied face.

“Stay with me.” I whimper through broken sobs as his eyes close at last.

“I love you.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tyson

The smell of antiseptic floods my senses, burning its way through my airways.

It’s the first thing I notice.

I guess that means I’m alive.

Then come the brights lights and beeping of machines as the haze in my mind starts to clear.

What motherfucker gave me painkillers?