Page 89 of Abundance of Obsession

Damn it.

The phone lands in my pocket, and I spin on my heel. “Ry,” I call to my brother.

When he glances over, whatever he sees in my face makes him stand up straight. He understands without words.

“Dave, take our guest to the playground on 26th. I’ll check in on him later.” Without a glance, he gives the order to the guards.

The playground. An inside joke. It’s one of our spots dedicated to having “difficult” talks.

Such as this one.

The order is executed at once, even though Rowan is screaming. His screams mean nothing. Just like his moans and pleas.

When we’re left alone, Ryker raises his eyebrows in a silent question.

“Zoe will be here in a moment. Something’s happened,” I explain.

“Didn’t she say what it was?”

“No, but… I have a bad feeling.”

I pull out my phone again. Five minutes have passed. Maybe it’s too soon for her to get here?

You idiot. You could have asked how long she’d need. It’s the middle of the night.

Maybe I shouldn’t listen to her and…

My eyes dart up. Ryker is already sitting in his chair, watching me. Too closely for my liking.

“Sit down before you make a hole in the floor.”

With a puzzled expression, I squint. Then I glance at the spot where I’m standing. At Ryker. At the corner where I was standing a moment ago.

What the fuck?

I didn’t even notice I was pacing like a sleepwalker.

He’s right.

Before I take a step toward the chair, the office door swings open and Zoe bursts in.

She’s panting heavily, like she’s been running. Her face is flushed, eyes wide.

“You’re here,” Zoe says with obvious relief.

She collapses into a chair; the other one is mine. My eyes don’t leave her.

She’s fine. Calm down.

“Want something to drink?” Ryker asks.

I’m about to get up, but she shakes her head.

“Then what’s the matter?”

“It’s about Damien. I saw him today and—”

Without hesitation, I cut her off. My raised voice makes her jump in her seat. “What the fuck? I must have misheard. You saw him?”