Page 49 of Framed Obsession

“You’re going to want to take that off. And yes, I do. I’m single if that's what you're asking.” I wink at her before putting the key in the lock and turning it.

“No, that's not what I’m asking, Axel.”

“Here, you can put your blanket on the couch.” I point to the long sectional sitting to the left of us. I hold the door open, letting her in first. She takes a weary step inside. Her eyes roam around the interior, taking it in.

I like to keep my house minimal. Just necessities. I don’t need any fancy paintings or decorations or anything. I like it that way. It’s all useless clutter to me. Once she takes a few steps in, I shut the door behind her. She starts to unwrap the blanket.

“Nice place. You're not going to murder me, right? You're not lying about Parker and tricking me into coming here just so you can murder me?” she questions. I stare at her, eyeing her up and down.

“Green bunnies and daisies?" I point to her pajama choice. She is wearing a two-piece set. White pants with a white tank top, covered in small, detailed patterns. It's adorable. And it makes me want to rip them off ‌her. She looks down at her clothes.

“What if I did lie? What if Parker isn’t here?” I continue to answer her questions.

“First–” She points a finger at me, taking a little power from the fate I have planned for her.

“You’re the one who was so insistent on seeing me, in whoever knows what time it is. When I was already in bed. Secondly—” She shoves her finger into my chest. The small digit, slightly sinking into my pec.

“I believe if you wanted to murder me, you would have done it already. Am I wrong?” She then crosses her arms in defiance. I step ‌toward her and she stands her ground. I get close enough that our bodies slightly touch and I can feel the warmth from her little body radiating. My head has to bend all the way down in order to meet her gaze.

I can feel the sexual tension between us, and I know she feels it too. The center of her throat bobs up and down as she swallows. My jaw muscles flex as I clench with need. Having her here in my home… where I can do anything I want, is so tempting. Too bad we have other matters to deal with first.

“Why don’t we head down to the basement and ‌test your theory?” I ask, adding more mystery. I gesture past the kitchen to the door on the side. She keeps her eyes on mine as her head turns cautiously. She then looks at the long stretch and begins to walk in the direction of my pointed hand.

I follow behind, keeping an unhealthy close distance, feeling her light hair brush against me. When we reach the door, she pauses, peering down at the door handle. I can see the internal battle in her expression. Not knowing what lies beyond the door. She’s in a lose-lose situation, anyway.

If she decides to go down, she at least has the opportunity to take control back. And I want that for her. I could easily kill the fucker myself, but it’s not about me this time. It’s about her. It's for her. She reaches a hand out and grabs the handle.

A click of the door opening releases something she can no longer take back. This is her choice, and there is no going back. I help her pull the door open. She takes a deep breath before stepping down. The creaks of the wooden steps wail beneath our feet.

She stops at the bottom, waiting for me in the darkness. Her innocence already illuminates the room before I turn the light on. Small noises come from the depths, and she looks at me, frightened. I flip the switch on, and the single bulb gives light to the center of the chamber. She cups her mouth, shielding back a scream.

“I told you I had him down here,” I tell her, putting a hand on her back and ushering her toward him. I feel the resistance in her steps, but she doesn't stop.

“You can't do this, Axel. This is wrong. Oh my god,” she blurts out, seeing his unhinged condition. He is still restrained to the chair. Tape is still covering his mouth, and his skin is raw and rashed. Parker blinks heavily until he sees my girl, then his eyes go wide. He thrashes around.

“Axel, please. You need to let him go. This is not right,” she insists. I’m leaning up against the wall, arms crossed, watching. She doesn’t make a move on her own to free him. If she really wanted him free, I know she would try to pry open the rope.

I push myself off the wall, walking past her and toward Parker, who is continuing to thrash. He yells as I pull off the multilayered tape. Dahlia puts her hands over ears in terror. His skin is red and bleeding. The tape takes off more than just dead skin.

“Fuck you, let me go!” he shouts. I ignore him. My head turns back to Dahlia and I speak. But the question is for the vile creature in the chair.

“So you love taking advantage of women?” I say, keeping my gaze on Dahlia.

“I did nothing wrong. I’m a good person!” As my temper rises, I turn back around and swing. He screams before blood spits from his mouth. Dahlia shifts backward, creating distance from something she may end up wanting control of. I face her again.

“Tell me, Parker,” my words spew like venom.

“When you grabbed her, it wasn't the first time. Was it?” I ask, knowing damn well the truth. My Little Flower’s face scrunches in confusion. When the pervert doesn't speak, I turn back around and swing again. Harder.

“I can’t fucking hear you,” I shout, spitting in his face. I shove my pocketknife against his cheek, a threat without words for what's to come. I turn his head toward me using the blade. His slumped body moves slowly, then he puts a shit-eating grin on his face.

“I didn’t do anything she wouldn't like. Considering she let someone else take advantage of her,” he states, confidently. My blood pressure increases, and I can feel my fury flow through my veins. I take the knife and stab it into his forearm until it pierces all the way through.

A bloodcurdling scream fills the room. I’m breathing heavily, wanting to end him right here, right now. Terror is written all over my girl's face. She looks at me and the now mutilated arm.

She's scared. And I don't know if it's of me, of him, or the both of us.

Her eyes glaze over, tears forming on her bottom lashes. I take a step toward her, softening my expression for her. She speaks and I don’t expect it.