Page 29 of Red Obsession

“Don’t mention it. I’ll, uh, just let you guys get comfortable. If you need anything, let me know.”

Backing out of the room, I close the bedroom door behind me. Making my way downstairs, I glance at the clock realizing it’s near dinner time. I could make them dinner, but I have no idea what either of them like. And Izel is a vegetarian, so I have no idea what I could even make her.

I could always ask her.

Turning back towards the stairs, I make my way back to Gabriel’s room.

Just ask. I bring my hand up to knock, and that’s when I hear him.

“How are your eyes?”

Her eyes? What’s wrong with them?

Dropping my hand, I know I should just walk away and leave them to have their private conversation. Obviously, they don’t want me to be a part of it since he didn’t ask during our ten-hour drive here.

“The same,” Izel mumbles. I could barely hear her.

“Don’t lie to me,” Gabriel snaps.

I ready myself to barge in there, to yell at him not to get snippy with her, when I hear Izel shush him.

“Don’t yell, I don’t want him hearing you.”

“Sure, of course.” I can hear the sarcasm in his voice. “And who even is he, Izel?”

“He already told you who he is; he got me out of that guy’s cage.”

She wasn’t wrong, but why does the way she say it not sit well with me. I want to be more than just some random guy who saved her. I want to be her man. I want more.

The realization hits me like a fucking freight train. The idea of Izel and me being more, of being hers and doing all the sappy couple shit. While I never wanted anything but a quick fuck to anyone else, I want more with her. I want everything.

“He seems to think you’re more than that.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Izel, the man can’t take his eyes off you. He also held your hand, and I saw when you guys were walking back from the gas station. Even if I can’t see his face because of that stupid mask he wears, I could see that he had that stupid smile on his face. Also, no guy just randomly drives across the country to save a girl’s brother just for the fun of it—”

“Gabriel he’s not like that.” Izel tries to defend me. But I am, I am just like that. Here I am lusting after her while I’m probably the last thing on her mind.

“Do you even know anything about him? Like his name, or what he does for a living? Because I don’t believe he’s just a hunter. Who is this guy, Izel? He could be the one we’re running from, have you ever thought about that?”

Izel says nothing. And my heart stops.

Of course, I knew someone was after them. Izel let it be known. But besides a few comments here and there she hadn’t said anything else. It doesn’t sit well with me, but I also know better than to push her. I don’t need her running off thinking I am the one hired to go after them like Zander was.

I also know I need to tell her I know Zander, that I grew up with him. But I couldn’t find the right time, not that there was much before we arrived. But I know I need to tell her at some point.

“I know all those things.”

“What’s his last name?” Gabriel asks.

“Rain.”

“Rain?”

“Yes, it’s Rain.”

“Well, that’s a real stupid name and doesn’t even sound real.”