Page 29 of Deadly Obsession

Chase has never forced himself on me, but this is a different version of the man I was married to.

What if I left him before his true monster came out? What if that’s who he is now?

Chase’s hand strikes out and a sting blooms across my cheek.

Suddenly, I’m back to the first time he hit me. To the shock and betrayal I felt when he backhanded me for spending money on a new set of nails. He was pissed because I let him forget it was my birthday.

You should have reminded me.

You shouldn’t have used your money to buy yourself a gift.

It was always my fault.

And I started to believe that I was the problem.

Which made leaving him the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I feltguilty.

It took years of therapy to finally accept that I did nothing wrong.

“You fucking bitch,” he spits and pushes me back so he can straddle me. He clutches my throat with both hands. “I had eyes all over Gio Lenetti’s Christmas party. My men saw him take you into the bathroom. Everyone heard you. They saw you walk out, you looking thoroughly fucked.”

“You’re hurting me,” I wheeze out, clawing at his fingers.

“Good. Maybe that means you’ll do what I say.”

My vision begins to blur and right before I pass out from lack of air, Chase lets go.

He crawls off me, and I sit up, coughing and rubbing my neck. I try to wet my throat with a sip of water from the bottle I left on the table next to my bed.

“Why are you here, Chase? We’re divorced, remember?”

He turns his back to me. He’s such a small man compared to Elias, but he’s not scrawny or weak. I’d say he’s average size with a bit of a dad bod. He buries his hands in his light brown hair, tugging at the strands—something he does when he’s stressed out.

“I need you to do something for me.”

“No.”

I flinch when he whips around and takes a step toward me.

“Youwillhelp me, or I’ll pay a little visit to your parents.”

My eyes widen, and I’m sure the blood has drained from my face. “You don’t know where they live.”

“You’re my wife. I know everything about you and your family.”

“Exwife!”

Chase spits on me, and I protect myself from the spittle with my hands over my head, waiting for something harsher. He gets in my face, his mouth inches from mine. I hold my breath.

“You. Are. Still. Mine.”

My attempt to hold back my tears fails, and they fall, one by one down my cheek. Chase shakes his head, appearing to almost pity me, and stands up straight. I let out a long stream of breath, relieved to have the space between us.

“Ready to comply?”

I give him a quick nod.

“I’m making a name for myself in New York City’s crime syndicate. I’ve moved on from identity theft and drug dealing. I’m running shit now, and I’m aiming for the top.”