Page 7 of A Monster's Obsession

For the last few months, I had been working in the states doing what I did best. I had managed to remotely set up a home office and a warehouse on Founder’s Island. Once I had met with Oran Hale and a few other heads of the founding families, it was easy to get established.

However, as well as my business life was going, my personal life was in the shit. I couldn’t stop thinking about Sasha. Now that I knew where she was, it was hard for me not to go to her. And now that I was back on the island for Lennox and Raven’s baby shower, I knew that I would have to face the woman who had me in turmoil.

I approached my brother and sat down beside him as he gazed across the room at his heavily pregnant wife. I smirked at Lennox. I was glad that he was happy, and his arrangement had worked out.

“Why are you watching your wife like a stalker?” My voice came out gruff, but my brother simply chuckled. I would never admit it out loud, but I was jealous. My brother had everything that I thought I’d given up.

“It’s not stalking when you’re married. Stalking is what you do to Sasha.” Lennox smirked back at me, and I frowned even deeper. I’m not a fucking stalker. I didn’t follow Sasha’s every move… well, at least not personally. I had Darby for that.

I watched Sasha from across the room as she talked to that friendly motherfucker, Caerwyn Hale. He was way too nice for my liking. I could feel my face heating up with rage. The urge to snatch Sasha up and keep her from laughing and joking with a bastard that wasn’t me was so great I had to look away.

In the short time I’d been away from her, I tried to keep from thinking about our brief time together. Sasha was young, too young for me at the time, but I didn’t give a fuck. I wanted her. When she first walked into the hotel restaurant, I was instantly drawn to her. She wore her hair like it is now, a big fluffy afro that bounced when she walked. Her light brown eyes always seemed to glitter with happiness, and she radiated a joy that couldn’t be faked.

I am a dark man, but I was in the darkest place I had ever been when I met Sasha. And she exuded a light that I was instantly drawn to and selfishly wanted more of. I took advantage of a naïve young woman and made her mine. At least I thought she was mine until I found a letter in an abandoned apartment telling me not to look for her.

I continued to watch her flit around the baby shower, laughing and talking to everyone, but me. It pissed me off because that smile used to be just for me. I hadn’t seen her in person in months, but I got a daily update from Darby because I trusted him the most, so I left him behind to watch her. However, it wasn’t the same as me watching her myself.

“I’m not sure what’s going on with you two, but if you don’t make your move, I’m pretty sure she’s going to get a restraining order against you.” Lennox’s smart ass mouth brought me back to the present. He chuckled at my expense as he continued to watch Raven’s every move.

I shook my head, “Lennox, stop worrying about whatIneed to do. I’m the older brother here, and I know what I’m doing.”

“Yeah, okay. But we both know why you won’t go after, Sasha.” Lennox looked directly at me with an accusing tone.

“And just what’s the reason, oh smart one?” I questioned with an arched brow.

“Cara. It wasn’t your fault what happened to her. You deserve to have someone to love, Sawyer. You don’t have to be a widower for the rest of your life. You’re too fucking young for that.” I knew this subject was bound to come up as soon as I showed interest in a woman. It was one of the reasons that I kept Sasha a secret the first time. I didn’t want people pushing their bullshit onto me.

I held up my hand to stop my brother from continuing. Today was a happy occasion; I wasn’t here to drudge up my ghosts. I didn’t want to think about Cara, especially while I couldn’t stop thinking about Sasha.

Before I could respond to my brother, I see Austin Thomas slide his arm around Sasha’s waist and kiss her temple. I’m instantly furious! Darby didn’t tell me that this motherfucker would be here. He knew that I would want to know. Surprises like this made my inner killer stand up and stretch.

This asshole, Austin Thomas, called himself dating Sasha. It wasn’t anything serious because I knew every time they went out, she sent his ass home without inviting him into her place. He hadn’t touched her yet, and it was the only thing keeping his slick ass alive.

Before I could even think to stop myself, I was heading in Sasha’s direction. When she saw me, her eyes rounded in surprise. I hadn’t seen her since the gallery opening when I bought almost all of her paintings.

“Hello again,SweetSasha,” the smile that I wore was not a friendly one. It was predatory as fuck, and Sasha knew it.

“Mon… Sawyer!” My name was a surprised squeak. I had left her alone, no calls, no popping up unannounced, nothing. But she should’ve known I would be at my brother’s baby shower.

“Oh! Sawyer Nash, I’ve heard a lot about you!” The other man exclaimed, giving me a big toothy grin. He was a leading attorney at one of the big firms on the island, so I’m not surprised he knew whoIwas. However, if he weren’t trying to date my woman, I wouldn’t know who the fuckhewas.

“Hmmm.” I didn’t want to talk to this asshole, he wasn’t worth my breath, but I nodded at him as I glared at Sasha. She didn’t acknowledge my stare as she quickly looked away guiltily. We hadn’t been together in years, but I knew when Sasha was feeling regret. Now that I was back, there was no room for anyone else in her life. I might have been playing it cool, but she knew I was seconds away from punching this motherfucker in his face.

“It’s nice to meet you; my firm is set to do some business with Nash Industries.” I glanced at the man as I shook his hand. He smiled widely, and I caught Sasha rolling her eyes, and I smirked. No woman wanted to date a guy who was fanboying over another man.

“Oh? What firm is that?” I continue to look at Sasha as I asked her “date” the question. Although she looked everywhere, but at me, I knew that she could feel my intense gaze. As what’s-his-face, rambled on about whatever the fuck he was talking about, Sasha finally looked at me.

There was so much turmoil in her gaze, but I refused to look away from her. I want Sasha to see me, and I want her to know that I see her. She can try to deny what she feels, but I refuse to let her.

“Austin…” Sasha interrupted the rambling man, “I need to go check on, Raven.”

Austin could barely nod his acknowledgment of Sasha’s words before he began his incessant musings. The only reason I hadn’t told him to shut his ass kissing mouth the fuck up was because I didn’t want to cause a scene at the baby shower.

“I’ll show you where Raven is,” I volunteered, taking Sasha by the hand. Before she could protest, I intertwined our fingers and led her away. I needed to touch her, but more than that, I needed to get away from the man who thought she washis. It was only so much I could take before my crazy slipped out. Nobody needed that shit to happen.

“Where are you taking me?” Sasha’s voice was a harsh whisper, but she didn’t let go of my hand.

“We need to talk.”