Page 41 of The Obsession
I want to be the one who keeps her safe, to be everything he never was. I want her. No complications, no excuses. And that truth unsettles me more than anything.
I hate how much she’s been hurt, but she’s stronger than she realises. Walking away from that clusterfuck with a man she barely knows wouldn’t have been easy.The fact that she trusted me enough to do that speaks volumes.
She has no real idea who I am. As they say, it’s better the devil you know, so what she just did took guts. The trust she’s put in me is something I hope I never, ever betray, because she deserves so much more than what she’s been given. She deserves better than a man like me.
“I’ve got you, Em,” I say, trying to ease any concerns or doubts she may have.
She doesn’t reply, but she squeezes my hand, acknowledging my words.
I flip on the indicator as I approach the De Luca’s driveway, and as soon as Emily realises where we are, she shakes her hand from mine and sits up straighter in her seat.
“This is where the party was yesterday. W-why are we here, Dominic?” The panic I hear in her voice tugs at my black heart.
I come to a stop behind the other luxury cars, noticing everyone who was here when I left is still inside. Once I’ve switched off the engine, I turn in my seat to face her.
“I left Peach with Lucia so I could check on you.”
“I can’t go in there, Dom. Not like this,” she says, pointing to her face.
“I’ll only be a minute,” I tell her. “You can wait in the car.”
I know for a fact that the people inside that house would rally around her, especially the women, if they saw her in this state. She’s been doing it alone for so long, she probably doesn’t know any other way, but in time, I’m hoping she’ll let herself lean on someone again. And I hope more than anything that person will be me.
I’ve spent most of my life doing it solo, so I know firsthand what it’s like to shoulder everything alone, to think no one else cares enough to help. I don’t want that for her.
She grips the seat belt strap lying across her torso as Iexit the car. I jog across the lawn and up the front steps before pressing the doorbell.
I don’t have to wait long for Lucia to answer the door. “You okay?” she asks as her eyes scan over my face. “How was Emily?”
“She’s in the car.”
Lucia gasps as she moves to look around me. “You stole her from La Riviera?”
“She called in sick.”
“Bring her in.”
I run my hand over the short dark stubble on my head. “Umm …”
Her eyes widen when I don’t say anything else. “Did he hurt her again?”
I nod as she pushes past me. “Lucia,” I say as she heads for the stairs.
“I’m just going to make sure she’s alright.”
“She doesn’t want anyone to see her like that.”
My words fall on deaf ears as she rushes towards my vehicle, heading straight for the passenger side.
“Fuck,” I grumble under my breath.
By the time I get to them, Lucia has already opened Emily’s door and is leaning slightly into the SUV, her short frame stretching just enough to reach her.
“Hey, Emily,” she says softly, careful with her words. “Come on, come inside and let me help you clean up. I can call theFamiglia’sdoctor to check you over. Don’t stay in the car like this.”
Emily’s panicked gaze flicks to me. “I … umm.”
“You’re safe here,” Lucia says, in a soft, gentle voice. “Let me clean you up before Peach sees the dried blood on your face.”
