Page 45 of Dark Obsession

Keira pulled into herdriveway, put her car in “park,” and sighed.Her gaze swept over the house, and she tried to pick up anything that shouldn’t be there.Keira wiped her sweaty hands on her skirt and tried to calm her racing heart.She was unable to fight back the fear that dominated her senses and was the foremost emotion she felt at that moment.

The lights that shone through the windows she’d left on that morning helped take away some of the dread that plagued her, but still threatened to overwhelm her.

Her gaze caught her reflection in the rearview mirror.Who was this woman?When did she turn into this spineless creature?A person other than herself was controlling her life, and she’d never let anyone do that, not since she was eighteen and walked away from the last foster home.

A calm descended over her.Her jaw tightened.She wouldn’t let this bastard win.She would do whatever she needed to survive.She knew it wouldn’t be easy, she’d never been a violent person, and the fear wouldn’t leave her until the bastard was caught.Until then, she would continue to find the courage she needed.

Before leaving her car, she pulled the pepper spray out.A small sense of relief filled her as she fit the little can in her grip.She would keep it in her hands at all times unless she was around other people.That would be the only time she’d feel marginally safe.Keira took a deep breath, gathered her purse, and opened her car door.

A shiver coursed down her spine as the front door closed silently behind her.Every shadow seemed to grow around her, accelerating her shaking.She was unable to take a full breath until the last lock was engaged.

Keira leaned against the door, looked around, and tried to open up her senses, trying to feel or hear if anyone was near.Fatigue pulled at her restlessly, making her movements sluggish.How much longer could she go without the deep sleep a person needed to survive?

Before she collapsed, she walked quickly into her kitchen and grabbed three of her sharpest knives, the only thing she could think of to use for a weapon.She put one in her purse that swung from her shoulder, and she’d put one under her pillow and would carry one in her hand when she was home.

She slowly made her way into her bedroom and jerked to a stop as a scream tore from her mouth.Her hand involuntarily tightened her grip on the knife as her gaze flew around the room, waiting for someone to jump at her.

He had been here today, and oh God, he was getting angry.Her stalker had taken his torment to a whole new level.A level she didn’t know she would be able to survive on her own.Her bedsheets and pillows were shredded along with what looked like every pair of her panties and her bras.Bottles were smashed in and out of the bathroom.The floor mats and carpets were stained with an abundance of liquids and creams.

Keira swallowed back bile.The mingled scent and the fear racing through her made her extremely nauseous, and since there was nothing in her stomach, all she’d get were dry heaves.

There was devastation all over.Every corner of her room showed his rage toward her.A type of anger she couldn’t begin to understand.How could she have made this massive of an enemy when she’d only been in town a few days?

Her legs were shaking so hard she was surprised they supported her as she backed slowly out of the room, using her hand to brace herself against the nearest wall for support.Her phone was in her hand before she thought about it.The small grain of hope she still unconsciously had slid from her.Who could she call—the police, Daniel?

She bit back a fanatical chuckle that wanted to burst from her chest.She knew if she started, she might just break, and who would be there to pick up the pieces?Right now, she had no one.

Keira staggered to the far corner of the living room and sat with her back against the wall so her gaze encompassed the whole room.Her purse, two knives, pepper spray, and phone lay in a pile on her lap.

She pulled her shoes off and crossed her legs before she leaned her head against the wall.Lethargy, unlike any she’d ever felt, pulled at her.She knew she couldn’t give in to the need for sleep right then because she felt there was a chance she’d never wake up.

A suffocating sensation tightened her throat.She wanted so much to be able to attain enough energy to go to a motel, but she had nothing left in her.Nothing but the ability to sit upright and breathe.

Her head rested against the wall as she closed her eyes.Tears ran silently down her cheeks.She wondered vaguely if the stalker came at her, whether she’d be able to fight at all.Would she have enough energy to fight for her life?

She wanted so badly to call Layla.Maybe with her, she could get Logan to believe her?They only had five days left before they got home.Could she hold out?She knew she was going to get hell from her sister for keeping this from her, but she really thought she’d be able to handle it.At the time, she thought she had help if she needed.

Her eyes drooped closed, but she jerked awake at every imagined sound until the endless night finally turned into dawn.By morning she was a basket case.Keira rubbed at her eyes and then groaned as she stood.A suffocating feeling of despair wrenched at her already fragile control.

One day at a time, and if she couldn’t handle that, she’d work on one minute at a time instead, but she vowed to herself she would damn well get through this.

****

Daniel relaxed backin his car outside of Keira’s house after he walked the perimeter of her property, checking windows from the outside.Once in his car, he pulled up the surveillance cameras he had situated around the outside of her house.The security system he’d had installed would signal his phone every time an outside door opened.He’d set up a silent alarm so Keira or anyone else would not be able to hear it.

Daniel smacked his hand against the steering wheel.He wanted to go to her so badly.He could tell she was exhausted and frightened, it showed in the stress lines and the pale color on her face.It took everything in him not to go to her, but he’d made so many mistakes already, he didn’t want to make any more with her.Something had to have happened in her past for this level of distrust she felt for everyone except her sister.

He thought more than once about calling Layla.She would be the only one able to talk sense into her sister.He knew deep in his gut he’d lose Keira for good if he did, but if he felt he couldn’t protect her, he’d have them home in a heartbeat.

Daniel settled back in his car seat.It was going to be a long night, but he didn’t care if it kept Keira safe.He wished she had let him come in with her, or even better, let him take her to his house.He guessed they both would have gotten better sleep.

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