Page 198 of The Sweetest Obsession

When I hit the top, I tumble over the railing and hit the deck.

For now, I’m hidden from easy view by the raised cube of the wheelhouse.

Thank God for small favors.

Every second Aleksander doesn’t see me is one more bite of hope.

I can still hear Ros, though.

She sounds miserable.

I can’t make out what she’s saying, but as long as she’s talking, as long as she’s making noise, she’s alive, she’s on this boat, and I can still bring her home.

Crouching low, I creep along the deck, flattening myself against the wall of the wheelhouse and reeling with every step on the rocking waves.

We’re going too fast, I think.

No one’s paying much attention to piloting the ship. Another problem.

At first, I’m thinking don’t wait for Grant.

Just get to navigation.

Stop the boat.

Thenget between Aleksander and Ros—until another scream floats over the deck.

“Leave her alone you—you weirdo! Leave Miss Ros alone!” Nell screams.

Just past the wheelhouse, I catch a flash of blue with rainbow—Mr. Pickle—right before a pint-sized blur flings itself at Aleksander and my sister.

Baby, no!

With one brutish hand still locked on Ros’ wrist, Aleksander whirls around just in time to catch Nell cannonballing against his forearm.

He blocks her and shoves her back.

She goes tumbling to the deck with a heartbreaking cry.

“Well, well,” Aleksander leers, glaring down at Nell with a smile full of murder. “What do we have here? You’re a little young to drown, brat, but if you want to play rough...”

“No! Don’t you dare!” Ros cries, jerking violently on her wrist. “Don’t touch her!”

Aleksander whirls on her with that same awful grin.

“Oh? What will you do for me if I don’t,dearest sissy?”

Gag.

I’m going to be sick.

He effing knows.

We knew it before, but to have this horrid confirmation...

He knew who and what she was the whole time.

And it’s no wonder she’s fighting him with everything she has, rejecting this man like a poison when before she was glued to him.

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