Page 28 of His Obsession
I looked around my room. How could I just pick up and leave? How could I explain that to Lucy? She would worry.
“I can’t leave Lucy. What about my things? Can’t you just post more men outside,” I asked. Ideas raced through my head, and my heart picked up its pace. My life was transforming. So quick, in fact, my mind couldn’t even begin to process the chaos. I was losing all sense of time, and fear, like I’ve never experienced in my life, was becoming a daily occurrence.
My chest seized, and I couldn’t catch my breath. I grabbed hold of my shirt and beat at my chest, needing the air to come in faster. Alek’s hand rubbed my back, pulling me into his arms.
“It won’t be like this forever. It’s temporary. I can put more guys out front, but it will not stop him.” He cupped my face with his hands, and I studied him.
I didn’t want to admit that he could be right. This man broke into my home with guards posted outside. He was brazen and desperate. That was a bad combo for a man who didn’t give two-shits about the law.
“What happened to you? Did he get you too?” I’d been in such shock I didn’t even realize Alek had a bruised and swollen face like mine. His knuckles are bloody and split; he had undoubtedly been in a fight.
“No, this was something different,” he answered, again offering no explanation.
I broke away from him, my hands tugging at my wet hair. “I can’t do this.” I shook my head and walked around him towards the kitchen.
I needed a drink.
The bottle of water was icy cold against my lips as I took a long pull and swallowed. I felt the chilling water run down my chest and into my belly.
“Do what?” he asked. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. This was the first time I had seen him with a t-shirt on. His exposed arms were a sight to behold. Black and gray tattoos covered his arms. Intricate designs of clocks, compasses, ships, and smoke. A small bandage covered the tip of the ship, barely visible under the sleeve. The other arm had an emerald dragon that wrapped around and blew flames under his shirt sleeve.
I cleared my throat, realizing I was staring a little too long. “This Alek,” I said, holding my hands out, pointing out everything around me. “You can’t be honest with me. You won’t tell me a damn thing but say you want to help me. You want absolute cooperation but give none in return.” The fury heated my cheeks, and I could feel my pulse thumping in my cut. “I had a fucking stranger on top of me tonight because of you. A sick fuck who broke into my house and fucking assaulted me.” Tears pooled in my eyes as I continued. “And you, you just magically appear. How is it you knew he was even here? Your men didn’t see him, or they would have stopped him, right?” I slammed my bottle of water on the counter. He stood there, watching me ranting, not saying a word. “Are you going to say something?” I lashed out.
“No. There is nothing I can say that will give you peace. You are involved. Whether you want to be or not, we can’t change that.” His voice was calm and collected, quite the opposite of my jittery feelings, and it made me want to hurt him.Show some emotion, goddammit.
“You’re right, there is nothing you can say that will make me feel better,” I lamented. “I should have called the police when I had the chance. At least then, when someone finds my mutilated corpse, they’ll know it’s because of you.” I shove at his unmoving chest. I knew I shouldn’t have said that, but I couldn’t help but speak my truth. It was long overdue. “Post more guys outside. I’ll change the locks and get a security system.”
“More men won’t help—”
“I’m done, Alek,” I said, cutting him off, not wanting to hear another word.
“You don’t fucking listen, do you?” He raised his voice, becoming impatient.
“No. You don’t listen to me. I don’t need you to save me, I’ll get through this without you.”
“You’ll die without me,” he said, shaking me by the shoulders.
“Then, I guess you wouldn’t have to worry about me anymore,huh?” It was petty and childish. How could I get out of all this? Dead in an old construction lot with crows picking at my insides? I shuddered at the thought.
“I’d still worry about you getting kicked out of heaven for not listening. You are so challenging and maddening, and you drive me up the goddamn wall, but I still care about what happens to you.”
“You don’t even know me, Alek,” I said, pointing out the obvious.
“I know you more than you think.”
“And what is that supposed to mean, more secrets?” That was precisely what it meant. Alek had all these secrets he refused to share, and I was just supposed to go along for the ride.
“How will you explain your face to Lucy?” he said, completely ignoring my question.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “I’ll tell her I got into a fight with some bimbo. She sees that all the time.” I honestly don’t know how Lucy would react to my face. She knew I was all bark and no bite. I was sarcastic like every other bitch on the planet, but not one to throw a punch unless absolutely necessary. “I want you to go.” I looked at the floor, not able to look him in the eyes when I told him.
“Liz,please.”
“No. I need time to think, please leave.” I pointed to the door.
Alek stepped back, shaking his head and tugging at his hair, growling his frustrations. Without another word, he walked towards the front door, slamming it closed.
I released the air from my lungs in a whoosh. Not because Alek left, but because he was gone, just like that. How could remorse hit so fast after I just gave the best fucking argument of my life on independence?