Page 123 of Abundance of Obsession

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. In fact, none of you have any idea what you’re talking about or what you’re up against. But I have to admit your suspicions are entertaining. Anyway, we’re reaching the shore. A car is already waiting for you there. The driver will take you wherever you want to go.” He heads for the exit but pauses. “Oh, and Zoe, it’s better if we never meet again.”

I’m left alone, and for a long moment, I can’t believe I can just walk away from here, that he won’t kill me. That this nightmare is over. First, I pick up the necklace from the floor, then the rest of my things from the deck. Without looking back, I leave this damned yacht, vowing to burn it down one day.

Chapter 30

Zoe

Fighting the trembling of my hands, I get the key into the lock on the third try. The lights in the apartment are off…

…and for the first time, this place doesn’t feel safe.

Eli’s sitting on the couch, hunched over, staring at the floor.

I would like to go to him, hug him, and comfort him. But I can’t. Not now.

That evening, Damien tore something else out of my soul. He robbed me of a part of myself. A hole appeared inside me. I can’t describe. I don’t know what’s missing, but I know something is.

I can’t take care of Eli because I’m broken myself. Empty. Impure. It feels like something inside me has been tainted, and the stain is permanent.

Carelessly, I toss my purse onto the floor. Let hell swallow it up.

I ignore everything and go get a glass of water. That’s when Eli loses it.

“Where the fuck were you? Where did he take you? I asked you and begged you to get out of his sight. Over and over, but you’re so stubborn. You’re putting yourself at risk even though we know you’ll get nowhere with him! And for what? To top it off, Ryker lost contact with you. He hasn’t heard a thing. He’s been losing his mind, and frankly, so have we all!”

I feel his screams hitting my back. But my eyes are stuck on the glass of water; I can’t look away.

“He took me on his yacht,” I whisper.

“On his yacht! On a fucking yacht? Wonderful! Did you have fun?”

The contents of my stomach rise to my throat; bitterness stings my mouth.

“Aisling is his boss, not a prisoner. You were right. And Aiden plays an important role in all this, but I don’t think he’s trying to win their favor,” I say, relaying what I’ve learned.

“Fuck this shit! Goddamn it, Zoe! It drove me crazy worrying about you, and you didn’t even give a single sign! Don’t you understand I love you? Look at me, for God’s sake!”

“Then stop yelling at me already. Stop.” My voice is barely louder than a whisper, but my hand slams down on the counter with a thud.

Doing as he asks, I turn to him. Raising my head, looking him in the face feels like an insurmountable effort. One glimpse into his eyes and he’ll know. At least, that’s what I think.

It would be so much easier if he weren’t here right now.

Are you sure? Is that really what you want?

Everything is spinning in my head.

I feel dirty. Inside and out.

The pain between my legs has eased, but it hasn’t gone away completely. A reminder of my own poor judgment. Of my mistakes and my pride.

I believed I had everything under control, that I could destroy them without facing the consequences. Meanwhile, I destroyed more than I could have ever imagined.

The mark of his hands on my body is still there. Left by him.

“Zoe—” Warm hands land on my cheeks and gently lift my head. Inside, I’m panicking, but it’s already too late when our eyes meet. “What—what’s wrong, Zoe?”

I try to deny it, but he won’t let me.