Page 27 of Obsession (Dark Revenge)
“What’s wrong with Noah?” Vince inquired. “You have to work with them. You’re going to be around them all the time soon.”
“I’m taking Michael,” I informed him, referring to the last cousin I had barely spent time with.
“He’s still quite young. You think that’s wise?”
“I’m taking Michael.”
“Fine, I’ll leave that up to you,” Vince replied, shaking his head a little, but I didn’t want to discuss how I had gone down on Astrid in front of the other cousins. I would put them back in their place later, but first, I would teach my future wife a lesson at the next dinner.
I continued to work, but I could feel Vince’s eyes on me and turned to look at him again.
“What?” I asked.
“You’d tell me if something had happened between you and the other boys, right?”
“Because this is the second grade, and we got into a fight because one of them called me stupid?”
“Jared,” he scolded.
“What?”
“I know when you’re trying to deflect. You act a little stupid, and you know I hate it when people act dumb.”
“Maybe I just don’t want to talk about it. It’s not something I can’t handle.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, and I felt touched by his concern. But if I couldn’t handle this without his help, it was going to be very hard not to be eaten by the wolves once he was gone. I had to fix this problem myself.
“I’m sure.”
“All right. Otherwise, you know where to find me,” he reminded me, and I gave him a grateful smile.
“I know,” I replied before returning to work.
Both of us worked quietly, our fingers dancing across the keys. Vince was undoubtedly slower, yet he possessed a sharp intellect, effortlessly navigating through the labyrinth of information I needed. Time nearly slipped through my fingers as I became engrossed in our task. However, when I glanced at my watch, I realized I had a mere 10 minutes remaining.
I reached for the phone Vince had provided me, using it to access the security cameras and review the footage of Alison's whereabouts. She was located in the east wing, an area seldom frequented, save for Vince's bedroom on the highest floor. She had positioned herself on a lower level, concealed within a very old library, where it appeared that removing just a single book might make it all crumble to dust.
“So, off to hunt?” Vince chuckled as I stood up, putting the phone in my pocket.
“I am,” I confirmed before leaving the room. I put my laptop back in my bedroom before traversing the hallway, descending the stairs, and making my way to the library where Alison had taken refuge. She had been hiding there for almost an hour, and I could only imagine she must have been in a constant state of anticipation, waiting, and perhaps even harboring a hint of fear that I would discover her. The whole situation struck me as rather entertaining, and I feigned ignorance about her whereabouts. I methodically combed through the room, moving deliberately and taking my time as I approached an old dresser with a spacious compartment in the middle. She had discreetly slipped inside and closed the door, determined to remain hidden.
I knew she could hear me approaching. The floorboards creaked so loudly in this part of the house, and I was well aware that it was making her heart beat even faster. She was about to get the scare of her life once I swung those doors open. I waited, checking my phone, and with only a minute left, I yanked those doors open, revealing her inside.
Her scream pierced the air, a concoction of fear and shock, and without hesitation, I pulled her out, helping her to her feet. Her breathing was ragged, her eyes wide, and I relished seeing her in this state, trembling against me.
“I caught you with just one minute to spare,” I taunted.
Any fight left in her instantly vanished as I held up the phone while gripping her arm.
“Fuck,” she whispered.
“I must admit, I see why kids like this game,” I teased, putting away my phone.
“Why is that so surprising? Never played?” she mocked, but the moment the words left her mouth, she realized that I hadn’t, and her smile faltered. “You’ve never played?”
“I’m the one who gets to ask a question, not you.”
She sighed and nodded, awaiting my question, and I took my time deciding, circling her to keep her in a state of fear. She turned her head to keep an eye on me, and when I was back in front of her, I had made my choice. I retrieved my phone and opened the recording setting. Alison appeared puzzled, her gaze shifting from the phone to me.
