Page 192 of The Sweetest Obsession

“You got her?” Grant’s head whips toward me.

I shove a hand against his cheek, urging him to keep his eyes on the road. “Nell, sweetie, talk to me.”

“I... I can’t,” she whispers, her voice tiny. “They’ll hear me. And he’ll get m-mad...”

“Who, Nell? Who’s scaring you? Where are you?”

“It’s... it’s a big boat,” she manages. “I hid in the trunk. I didn’t think Miss Ros would m-mind, but then the scary man was there and he said mean things to her. He made her get in the car, and I followed them on the boat. But I’m scared. I think he’s gonna hurt her!”

“Stay where you are, sweetie,” I say, clutching my phone tight, making my voice level. “Stay hidden. We’re on the way. We’re almost there, and we’ll make everything okay, I promise.”

“Hurry,” she pleads. “H-he... he’s—”

My heart becomes ice as she breaks off.

Followed by the sound of my sister’s voice in a chilling scream.

Then Nell screams too, belting out, “Miss Ros!”

I reach out helplessly like I can grasp them both, letting out a hurt cry of my own, my heart splitting apart.

“Rosalind! Grant, we have to hurry.”

23

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY (GRANT)

For a law abiding officer of peace, I’m sure as hell breaking at least a dozen laws right now.

Speed limit? I don’t know what the fuck it is in this mad flight to save my little girl and Philia’s sister.

I’m pretty sure I’ve cut a few people off without a turn signal, whipped around a couple semis, and left one red-faced old man shaking his fist and calling in my plate.

Ask me if I care.

Nothing else matters besides Ophelia’s pale, tear-streaked face.

Plus, those heart-wrenching screams I heard shrieking through her phone.

Ros.

Nelly-girl.

Both trapped with that blackhearted would-be-sister-fucking psychopath.

We go tearing through the town of Wrightsville Beach toward the docks without slowing down, weaving in and out of traffic. Horns bleat and tires squeal as pissed off bystanders rage around us.

A few sirens echo in the distance through the noise.

Good. That means the Wrightsville Beach PD actually paid attention.

Wish I’d brought my patrol car instead, but not having it doesn’t stop me from flying through the streets.

I can’t stop now.

I won’t.

Three women depend on me too much.

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