Page 90 of One Quick Obsession

I tried to scream, tried to wake up, but there was nothing.

Hot breath coated my face, and my eyes were forced open.

“You’re spending too much time away. You don’t remember your place. So I’m going to have to ensure you always remember.”

My eyes widened, clarity sliding through me as I looked for my babies but couldn’t find them.

And then Cale was in front of me again, the baseball bat that was always in the front closet in his hand.

I screamed, trying to scramble away, but I was too slow. The first break made my eyes roll to the back of my head as nausea swept over me.

And then he hit me a second time, and I knew I would never dance again.

Unconsciousness took me under once again, and all I could think about was my babies.

“Please don’t take my babies.”

“Sophia? Oh my God.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

The first voice had been familiar, but I didn’t know the second.

One of my eyes was swollen, but I still could crack open the other.

My brother. Flynn was here. Horror etched on his face as he touched my cheek, but I had to warn him.

“Cale,” I rasped.

“It’s okay. The cops are on their way.”

“Babies. Girls.” Why couldn’t I talk? Why couldn’t I say what I needed to?

“Carson took care of Flynn. And he’s getting the girls. The girls are safe. You’re going to be okay,” Flynn whispered, though his voice cracked.

I didn’t know who this Carson was, and I didn’t trust him with my babies. I didn’t trust anyone.

But then Flynn was holding me, and a man with dark hair moved forward, both of my girls in his arms.

And they weren’t crying.

He had his hands underneath them and was whispering something about not looking.

And I was grateful.

My babies were safe.

But Cale would take them.

“Cale’s not going to take them. He’s tied up. And the cops are right here. Stay with me, Sophia. Stay with me.”

I tried to fight. Tried to stay awake for Hazel and Violet.

And I met the gaze of that stranger, those green eyes piercing.

“Stay awake,” the stranger ordered, and tears slid out of my single working eye.

“I’m going to go let the cops in. I’ll be right back,” Flynn said, and then he was moving, and nothing made sense.