Page 57 of Distorted Obsession (The Distorted Trilogy #1)

eva

“Are you coming out to eat off campus with us?” Cammy asks, packing her gym bag and closing it before throwing it over her shoulder.

I throw my hair up into a messy bun before I respond, “What time are y’all leaving?”

We have no games this weekend, so rest and relaxation is on their brains while fucking and sucking are on mine.

“Around 7 PM,” she replies. “There’s enough time to go back to the dorm and change, but not enough to lounge and lose the will to go out.”

Jade stands beside her and smirks. “Also, not enough time to disappear with whomever is giving you that, ‘fucked so good that you glow’ look.”

Ignoring her prying gaze, I say, “Count me in.”

There’s ample time to hang with them before heading to Colt and Coop’s house. I have more than a few questions for them.

A shiver travels through me as I recall yesterday. I keep replaying the scene. How could they possibly have known what I was about to do? Were we that in sync? And am I grateful or frustrated that their words were enough to dissuade me?

“Earth to, Evie,” Jade calls out, pinching my arm.

“Oww,” I cry, rubbing the spot. “That shit hurts.”

Showing no remorse, Jade retorts, “Stay in the present then, bitch.”

I flip her off. “See you skanks back at the dorm,” I shout, pushing the locker room door open.

Smiling, I saunter down the hall. It’s only 5 PM, and since I’m going in what I have on, there’s no rush to get back to the suite. Instead, I decide to take the long way back.

My feet carry me out of the sports complex, down the long, winding sidewalk, past the science building, and around a corner that leads to a monument. It’s surrounded by lush grass and flowers that somehow remain vibrant even though it’s mid-fall.

The glee on my face melts away once I recognize where I mindlessly walked. I’ve avoided this place since arriving at Groveton. I knew it was here. Shit, I help keep it maintained. Not that Cooper or Colter know that.

I made Mrs. Jacobi promise never to let them know, fearful of their reaction. I don’t think I would’ve handled their rejection.

In The Loving Memory of Farrah Amira Jacobi. Daughter, Sister, and Best Friend.

Blinking back tears, I run my hand over the words.

The world is dimmer without you, but the heavens shine brighter because of you.

Sleep well, for your pain is over.

And while our pain is everlasting in this life.

We know it’s temporary until the next.

Sawf nuhibuk fi hadhih alhayaat wafi alakhirati.

“I’m s?—”

“You stupid, cunt,” a growly, husky voice snarls, cutting me off.

Spinning, I meet Thad’s angry, almost manic eyes. He literally looks like he could foam at the mouth at any minute.

Instinctively, I take two steps backward. The more distance between us, the better.

“You killed Candace,” he shouts, making me look around to see if there’s anyone around to witness whatever this is going to become.

Thad lobbed the accusation like a sniper, connecting with a direct hit.

Ashamed, I visibly shrink into myself at the reminder. I masterfully compartmentalized Candace’s death into the vault that only I can penetrate. It’s packed far, far away from anything about Fah, but it is— it was placed there so I could pretend just a bit longer.

I’m so lost in my head that it’s not until Thad’s hands are wrapped around my throat and lifting me off the ground that I realize he’s moved. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” he screams as his spittle lands on my face.

Clawing at his muscular forearm, I fight to get free, but I have very little leverage.

Breathe, Evie. You know how to get out of this.

I mentally give myself a pep talk. The years of self-defense training kick in. It helps that he’s barely two or so inches taller than I am.

Raising my arms, I grip his forearm, digging my nails in until I know I’ve pierced his skin. He hisses in pain, but his grip never slackens.

“You b?—”

Thad’s words are cut short as my knee connects with his dick.

Bullseye .

Howling in pain, he releases me and I suck in much needed air.

“I’m going to kill you,” he croaks, his face beet red.

Coughing, I rub at my throat, knowing it’s already beginning to bruise. “Keep your goddamn hands to yourself, asshat,” I wheeze, turning to leave as quickly as my legs can carry me.

Don’t look back, bitch. Just run.

I make it to the corner I took to get here before being grabbed from behind.

“Since you like to touch my dick so much, how about I fuck you so you can see how it really feels,” he yells, slamming me against the brick wall and knocking the wind out of me.

My head smacks against the wall, making my vision blur and my ears ring. I hear the distinct sound of fabric ripping and know it’s my own when cool air brushes across my bare stomach.

“No,” I eke out, trying to clear the fog so I can put up more of a fight, but what Thad lacks in height, he makes up for in strength. “Get the fuck off of me.”

Frustrated, I slam my head forward, connecting with his nose.

His grip loosens for a fraction of a second before it returns at what feels like ten times stronger.

Dizziness assaults me when I feel my bra rip, and his slimy palms squeeze my breast so tightly.

His touch is revolting. There’s nothing in me responding to his unwanted touch. Instead, I begin to gag.

“You better not throw up on me, you stupid whore,” he grumbles, sticking his hands down my pants.

“Let me the fuck go,” I demand, uselessly.

Laughing, he pushes my panties to the side and rubs my clit before pushing his finger inside my vagina.

It’s a vagina. There’s nothing remotely sexy about this assault.

“Now I see what all the hype is about,” Thad groans.

“This kitty is so fucking tight. I can’t wait to feel it wrapped around my rod. ”

At any other time, the use of the words kitty and rod would make me burst into laughter, but in this moment, I want to hurl and cry.

“No,” I shriek, slamming my forehead into his nose again.

The fist that connects with the side of my face feels like a Mack truck ran into me at full speed.

My head lolls to the side, and I weigh the pros and cons of continuing to fight. The answer is ripped from me when a smack whips my head into the cement wall.

Whimpering, I accept my fate. Survival is more important than pride. Thad licks up the side of my neck, biting my collarbone. “Now this is how a good little bitch should behave. Docile, quiet, and ready to be fucked,” he murmurs in my ear before shoving another finger inside of me.

I hear the sound of a zipper, and I know this is it. I’m about to be raped in front of my best friend’s monument. Karma is rearing its ugly head.

Penance and restitution…

As I resignedly accept my fate, I hear a roar before cold air whips across my nearly naked body.

“You fucking pencil dick ass bitch.” I hear someone shout before the sound of a bone snapping and a keening cry rings out. “You think you’re a man, Thad, because you got a defenseless woman under you.”

I try to open my eyes, but everything hurts too much, and when I strain my ears to make out the voice, I can’t hear past the pounding in my skull.

“I got you, Evie Rose,” they comfort, and I feel something cover me. “Just hang on a little bit longer for me, baby girl.”

But when whoever’s hand touches me, I scream, “P-p-please, d-d-don’t. I’m s-s-sorry. Please.”

“It’s Mason,” he says, finally answering the question. The tension in my spine eases a fraction, and this time when he touches me, I allow him to pick me up. “Let’s get you out of here.”

I don’t respond. Instead, I let his thrumming heartbeat, spicy cologne, and the soft fabric of his shirt ground me. I’m not sure where we are, but I manage to mumble, “No hospital.”

“Eva, someone needs to look at you. They need to collect?—”

No… no. My parents can’t find out. No one can find out.

“Please,” I implore before drifting off.

The sound of an engine roaring to life, jolts me. “Shit,” I slur as sharp pains radiate across my body “Why does it hurt?” I can feel tears run down my face and it must be loud enough because Mason tries to comfort me.

“Try not to move, Eva. We just have a little further to go.” Moments later, I feel something warm covering me as I’m lulled back into unconsciousness.

I don’t rouse again until I feel someone grab me. My heart skips, and my body tenses. “No,” I cry, batting the hand away.

“Shhh, Eva, it’s me,” Mason assures me. “We’re almost there. Just hold on a little longer.”

Nodding, I relax enough for him to pick me up, but I cry out in pain. Everything fucking hurts.

I must have passed out because the next thing I hear is two voices I’d recognize even from my grave.

Colter’s and Cooper’s voices boom, “Thad is fucking dead man.”