Page 38 of Their Obsession

“What did you do?” I ask her through gritted teeth.

“I just simply explained to the boy that you had a scholarship, a full ride, and that you were considering giving it all up for him. And that we wouldn’t let that happen.”

My ears ring and my vision dots in and out as my chest constricts. Everything was a lie. I’ve been running from the man who I thought abandoned me years ago, and yet he didn’t. He didn’t leave me. It was my mother, with her lies and her meddling, that left me alone and heartbroken. My chest tightens until I can barely breathe. My vision narrows to a tiny pinpoint. Panic pumps through my veins, sending me entirely over the edge.

I need to get out of here. Get away from her.

“He wanted to make sure his father kept his job at our company, and we wanted to make sure you were safe. Everyone got what they wanted, dear,” she says as she beckons the waiter over to our table.

“You threatened his family?” I seethe at her between pained gasps for air.

“Oh, don’t be such a drama queen, Lilliana,” she turns her attention to the server as if the conversation is over. “I’ll have the salmon, please, but I need the chef to assure me that it’s gluten free. I don’t even want gluten to have touched the plate. A brand new, never been used plate would probably be best actually…”

I tune out the rest of her ridiculous order. My mind is reeling, and my blood is boiling. My hand is shaking with anger. I’ve only ever felt this out of control twice before, and both times ended badly. I need to get out of here.Now.

So, I do what I do best.

I run.

TWENTY-TWO

DMITRI

Ten Years Ago

Imay not be a great person, but I’ve clearly done something right to have earned this privilege. The sweet little angel sleeping peacefully next to me is evidence that I’ve earned some type of peace in this life. Her bare back is to me, rising and falling in the steady rhythm that lets me know she’s asleep. Next to me. With me.Mine.

I may be young and dumb, but I’m no fool—Lilliana Pettersen is a prize. And I fucking won.

The knowledge that she feels safe and comfortable enough to let me have all of her has my chest swelling with pride. She gaveherself to me. And I don’t take that trust lightly. This beautifully viscous little creature is mine to protect and care for. And I will…always. Even if I have to protect her from her own destructive tendencies. She may not yet understand just exactly how deep my obsession is, but one day she will. One day she will see that she is utterly and irrevocably mine, just as I am hers.

I wrap a strand of her silky hair around my finger and twirl it, twisting it around my finger and bringing it to my nose.Moy Klubnika, my strawberry, is addicting. She insists that we keep what we have private. In other words, I’m her dirty little secret. She claims it’s because she’s worried people will judge us, try to pull us apart. But I know, deep down, she’s scared. I’m patient though, and one day, she’ll come around. One day when we’re older, I will buy her a big house so we can fill it with a family of our own, one that’s actually happy and loving. Both our parents are absent, emotionally and physically, leaving deep cracks within each of us. I want to soothe those cracks, melding my little killer into someone happy, someone whole. She may not remember the day we met, but I do. I’ll never forget the small girl who showed me kindness when I needed it most. She is my salvation. And I will be hers.

My phone vibrates on her nightstand, and I rush to silence it. She needs her rest after what we just did.

Dad: Where are you?

Dad: You have five minutes to get your ass home or you’re grounded for a week.

Dad: Ten minutes and you get the belt.

I sigh before rolling back over and laying a soft kiss against her bare shoulder. I hate to leave her. She deserves to be held and taken care of. One day, nothing will come between us, and I willnever let her go. But for now, I need to get home if I don’t want my ass tanned black and blue from the belt. My dad’s old school, a real Russian hard ass. I don’t blame him for wanting the best for me. But I also wish he’d fucking chill out a little sometimes.

I’m loath to leave, but there’s no way I can be grounded. Now that I’ve had her, I’m addicted. The way her tight little cunt quivers around my cock right before she comes has become my new favorite feeling. Now that she’s given herself to me, the thought of not tasting her, touching her, being with her, is utterly maddening.

Shucking my legs back into my skinny jeans, I curse myself for not just wearing sweats. The cold night air pricks against my exposed skin, and I want nothing more than to crawl back beneath the blankets and snuggle into the warmth of my soft, sleepy girl. But I can’t. I grumble to myself as I pull the dark hoodie over my head.

“Good night,Moy Klubnika,” I whisper as I move across the room, over to her window.

She doesn’t wake. Her back rises and falls in the steadiest rhythm. With a final glance over my shoulder at my peacefully sated girl, I lift my leg over the window ledge and slip into the nighttime beyond.

The cold, damp air is refreshing against the inside of my heated chest. The winter rain drizzles down in a slow and steady stream. I pull my hood up to keep the rain out of my eyes. It’s not cold enough for snow but it’s enough to make me shiver. My breath leaves my lips in white puffs that contrast against the darkness of night. I look up at the stars in the sky and smile to myself. I’m happy. It’s not like when I win a game or get a good grade in school. This is different and new. The corners of my mouth lift as I look back up at Lilly’s window. Knowing that I can kiss her and hold her whenever I want makes my chest ache, but in the best possible way.

The grass glistens with drops of rain in the moonlight. This late at night the world is asleep and silent. I don’t usually sleep much, preferring the calm emptiness of the night to think. Sometimes being around people, pretending to be interested in their bullshit all damn day, is exhausting. In the night’s silence, I can decompress and be alone with my own thoughts.

As I round the front of the house, movement to my right catches my eye. I spin swiftly to see a shadowed figure on the front porch. Their features are hidden in the shadows, but I know who it is immediately. The red tip of her cigarette glows in the darkness. I can taste the stale smoke on my tongue as I get closer to the front of her house. She’s leaning back in one of the expensive looking Adirondack chairs that rest on the covered porch. Her blonde hair is down, framing her gaunt face. There’s no point in attempting to sneak to my car without acknowledging her. She’s clearly waiting for me.

“Mrs. Pettersen,” I nod politely as I pull down my hood.

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