Page 96 of His Coveted Obsession

“Careful, Annie Boo. Easton doesn’t like to get random hugs.”

“Oh… sorry,” she said, dropping down to pet Cleo.

“It’s fine.”

Sid and Dalton came up, smiling. “All good?”

“Yes,” Thomas replied. “Look, I know you all… have done a lot for my sister and me. Thank you for helping to save us.”

“You’re welcome,” Sid said.

“But… I don’t have my debit card. Everything is at home, and I’m not going back there.” He froze and started to pace. “Oh god… Whatif Dad found it? He’ll spend all the money I’ve saved! No, no, no…”

I stopped his pacing by grabbing his shoulders. “We’ve accessed your bank account. It wasn’t legal, but we were aware of the risks if we left your account open. Even if it’s gone, I can replace it.”

“But you shouldn’t have to!” Thomas snapped, which wasn’t like him at all.

He turned to Sid. “You’ve done a lot for Annie and me already, but… can you get us a hotel?”

What was he saying?

“Wait. You and Annie are coming with me. You’re coming to live at my place.”

Thomas’s eyes watered again, and Cleo leaned against him. He probably didn’t realize he was rubbing her ears while I was tapping my fingers again.

“I’m sorry, Superman. I… need some time.”

“Time for what? I don’t understand.”

“We have a safehouse where you and Annie can stay. There will be food and supplies there for you. And we’ll send someone over to your house to get your clothes,” Dalton said.

“Thank you. I have a spare set of glasses at home in my nightstand drawer.”

“No! I’ll take care of him. He’s mine.”

Then I looked at Thomas as a weird sort of panic set in that I wasn’t used to, so I had no idea how to handle it. I didn’t know what it was. I just knew that my heart was beating wildly, and I started to sweat. “Don’t break up with me!”

He reached for my hand, but I took a step back. “I’m not, East. I just… need time to think, okay? Everything is… overwhelming right now. I can’t focus, and you can be…”

“Can be what? Say it!”

“I can’t because I don’t know. I can’t… figure it out. It’s like I’m just really confused right now between the killings and the kidnapping. It’s a lot, okay? And you all were so kind in saving us, but there are so many people? Too much talking. I can’t… think.”

“But—”

“Easton!” Sid said firmly, getting my attention. “Focus. This isn’t about you. Thomas said he needs to breathe a bit away from everyone. If that includes you, then it means you, too.”

“I’m not leaving you, East. You’re my Superman. I just need a little space, okay?”

I looked at Sid for answers because, for the first time, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to let Thomas go at all. I didn’t go through hell to get him back just to let him go. But something told me I had to. Sid gave me a curt nod.

“Okay,” I said reluctantly, and stormed off.

Thehousewewerestaying in was so much nicer than the place Annie and I lived with Dad. Heck, it was nicer than any hotel I’ve stayed in. The District made sure we had clothes, toiletries, and enough food to last us a week. It was hard to be afraid of them or hate them for what they did when they took such good care of Annie and me.

I had to stop being so naïve. The idea that there were people out there like Easton, casting judgment on others, was terrifying. It was really scary. But it was hard to feel sorry for people like those who helped my father stay addicted and who stole his children. Who knew what would have happened to us had I not met Easton? It was strangely easy to forgive. Although I wasn’t sure I would’ve thought the same had I been on the outside of it all.

There was no leaving Easton. I loved him with all my heart. He would always protect Annie and me. He also deserved to be loved.

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