Page 189 of The Sweetest Obsession

“Sir, you cannot simply show up without a prior—”

“Unless you want to spend the night in county lockup, stand aside,” Grant snaps, flashing his badge. “Official police business. Missing child. Get the fucking Lord and Lady of the manor right now. Do not waste my time.”

There’s a stunned, offended sniff. Then the valet jerks his head and pulls himself back inside. “Follow me,please.”

We exchange tense looks and I follow him into Hades.

I feel so small here, even in Grant’s shadow.

This massive house always looms over the town like a giant fist of judgment.

Today, it feels like its shadow is meant for me personally.

I just stay close to him as the valet leads us through red-draped halls that make me think too much of blood.

Blood bond.

Blood relatives.

Blood—

I have to stop.

Imagine how much better this gets if I panic myself into passing out here.

The butler brings us to the big central hall with its massive chandelier and curving staircases.

Intimidating, but Grant stands tall and strong like nothing unnerves him.

His fists are clenched, his shoulders squared like he’s gearing up for a real brawl.

The valet leaves us alone.

I curl my hand against Grant’s arm. The muscle feels like stone under my palm.

I don’t dare say anything when it feels like the high ceilings would pick my voice up and carry it through the entire house.

My heart beats like a frightened, caged bird in the silence.

Still not as hard as it jolts when the double doors at the far end of the hall snap open.

Lucia and Montero Arrendell glide in like they’re making a grand red carpet entrance they’ve rehearsed a thousand times.

She’s as elegant as ever in a sleek grey sheath dress, her slim fingers brushing her blonde bob back from her sharp jawline, but I barely notice.

I’m staring at my father.

God help me.

He’s a dark cameo of old-school style and dashing, devil-may-care looks behind a smooth smirk.

Their eyes flick over us like we’re for sale and they’re just considering the price, but it’s when they look at me that I die inside.

They know.

There’s something strange in those haunted green eyes that match my own as Montero Arrendell—as myfather—looks at me.

As his gaze lingers, weirdly distant, that remote smile fading and leaving something thoughtful and strange.

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