Page 3 of Quiet Obsession
It’s beautiful in an eerie, horror-movie way. I half expect a petite blonde to run in front of us, fleeing across the damp lawns from a masked killer.
“Gravemont has five main buildings aside from thedorms,” my brother starts. “Admin, library, lecture halls, cafeteria, and theater. Though that’s been out of use for two decades.”
He follows the road, gravel crunching under the tires.
“That’s East Wing.” He gestures to a building on the left, surrounded by a chain-link fence and yellow tape. Scaffolding hugs the far side. “Fire took out a section over the summer. They had to reroute most of the freshmen.”
I don’t like where this is going...
“South Wing’s down that hill,” he continues.
Sophomores.
“West is past the tree line.”
Juniors.
“Ridgeview overlooks the Pacific.”
Post-grad.
He doesn’t head toward any of them, and I know exactly where my housing has beencoincidentallyrerouted. He pulls up in front of the largest dorm on campus.Hisdorm.
“North Wing,” he announces, parking in the space nearest the entrance.
“Seniors,” I whisper.
“Usually. This year, we’re playing host to a few freshmen like all the other dorms.”
And I’m the lucky girl with a brother in the North Wing who just so happened to land a room here.Fuck. I was hoping to keep my head down and stay out of Hyde’s way as much as possible.
He exits the car, pulling out our suitcases from thetrunk. I don’t move, staring at the towering building, my stomach rolling. He’sunbelievable. How he got me sorted in here is beyond me, but thewhyis easier to riddle out.
I knew he’d hover. I knew we’d see each other around campus, but living in the same building equals constant scrutiny.
He’ll monitor my every move.
I jump when the passenger-side door swings open with a flourish and an unfamiliar face peeks inside, lowering until we’re eye level. His dark blond hair falls messily across his forehead, curling around his ears, and hazel eyes crinkle at the corners.
“Hi there, Mini Ward.” He grins, wrestling the door open further. “Are you getting out or...?”
I blink at him.
He has the energy and charm of someone who could talk his way past a jury while blood drips from the knife in his hand.
“Dash,” my brother says, a touch of warning coloring his tone. “What did I say about boundaries?”
“More than I could be bothered to remember,” Dash admits, looking back at me. “You’re quieter than I expected. And much prettier than I imagined.”
“Don’t fuckingimaginemy sister again,” Hyde clips, slamming the trunk closed.
Dash grins, rolling his eyes. “If you ever need someone to sneak you off campus or bring you contraband from the faraway outside world, I’m your guy, Mini Ward.”
That makes me smile a little and, in turn, Dash’s grin nearly rips his face apart. I sink deeper into my sleeves, letting the fabric cover my hands, and start tracing small doodles over my thigh.
Hyde comes closer, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know her name. Use it.”
“No. She’s Mini Ward untilshesays otherwise.” He pulls a rolled-up manila envelope out of his back pocket. “Noah did his thing. No need to drag her to admin.”
