Page 45 of Arran's Obsession

Briefly, I explained her further link to the Four Milers. Our rivals who would do anything to see me rot. “I just have to wait out my time with her.”

“I don’t think that’ll be easy,” Shade said. “Ye claimed her in front of all the others. By your own words, ye started an unstoppable bond. Are ye keeping to the rules?”

I nodded a short, unhappy agreement.

The game did this. Forged couples in the most unbreakable way. I delivered that promise to the people who signed up and paid a bundle for the privilege. Sometimes, I’d felt envy for their easy lives and how they could follow the draw.

I couldn’t. No matter what my body felt, I’d never love her.

“But you’re resisting,” Shade decided.

“It won’t happen to me. Neither of us wanted this, even if she conned me to get it.”

“You broke every rule in your book for her.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” I snapped. “It isn’t for romance and fucking roses that I followed her into the basement. The woman who was killed, she knew her.”

Shade rolled his hands. “And that’s important because…?”

“I’m almost certain the murderer did it as a sign to me.”

“So what information has your woman provided?”

“I’ll get back to you on that.”

He swore, disbelief in his eyes. “You tied yourself to her for no information. That’s why I asked if you’re sure. You’re in for a world of pain if you’re right and the same if you’re wrong,because mistrust and lies are the thing that will destroy the relationship.”

“If I wanted your opinion, I’d ask for it.”

“What-the-fuck-ever.”

I summoned my strength, because he wasn’t wrong. It already hurt just to be close to Genevieve. Quitting her was going to kill. “Seriously, if you ever catch me slipping for a woman again, fucking stab me. Now, I have a job for you. Find out where her father is. Don’t confront him, just locate the man. When I’m ready, I’ll deal with him myself.”

“On it. Convict can help. Ye also need to know that your pet detective came by the club earlier. He didn’t say what he wanted.”

Fucking hell. I ticked over what Detective Dickhead might want. “Shade, how did you dispose of Bradley?”

“Fuck ye for asking. I did everything I should’ve.”

If he wasn’t after me for that, then what? In time, I’d have to find out.

Chapter 15

Genevieve

Voices filtered in from the living room to the bedroom—Arran on a video call with a client, his third. He’d been working since his friend brought our possessions, and it was nearly dawn.

I’d got my phone back, along with a warning that all communications were monitored here, and had tried Dad with no reply. Nor had he messaged. On the other hand, my brother had tried to call me a couple of times over the weekend then sent a single text saying he’d gone home but where the fuck was I?

Good question, brother.

I rang him. This time, he answered.

“At last,” I said.

“It’s four in the fucking morning. Where are you?” Riordan asked.

“Staying at a friend’s. Sorry if I woke you. Any sign of Dad?”