Page 28 of Mutual Obsession (Rivals of Blackthorn #2)

“Gregg sees The Count as his father, and he follows his every command. I heard bits of their conversations, and it was starting to make me uncomfortable.

“From what I gathered, The Count takes children and raises them to suit his own purposes. Some, like Gregg, he trains and keeps, investing in them long-term, while others, he uses and disposes of them when he has no further need for them. I think some were even sold on.

“I didn’t want to believe any of it at first. I thought I was hearing bits of a story, and my mind was putting the pieces together wrong, creating a worse version of events than reality. So, one night, when Gregg was leaving to do a job for The Count, I decided to follow him?—”

“Noooo,” Jake cries, his eyes wide and frantic as he stares at me. He doesn’t need to know how the story goes to be scared for me, and mad that I put my life at risk.

I close my eyes, unable to look at the beautiful boys who are holding my hands, giving me the strength I need as I let in the memories that I’ve only revisited in my nightmares.

I can remember it like it was just yesterday. They say trauma can imprint in your mind, immortalising every part of the event, and that’s exactly what happened to me. No matter how much I might want to, I can never forget that awful night just over nine years ago.

I finish packing the last of my things into a bag.

No matter what happens tonight, if I survive without getting caught, I’ll need to run, so I’m prepared.

My backpack is full of clothes, toiletries, and any personal items I can fit in there.

I have some money I’ve been secretly saving too, but that’s all.

I have to survive the night first…

I follow Gregg to an abandoned car park, feeling grateful that he allowed me to keep my own car—he hated the idea of me driving his prized Audi. I park far out of sight and walk towards where he’s stopped, keeping to the shadows.

G regg is meeting with a man and three young boys, who look to be between the ages of around eight and thirteen. The boys look terrified, and are clinging to each other as the man speaks to Gregg.

I get the impression they don’t speak English, as when I get close enough, I hear them muttering to each other in a language I don’t understand. Maybe Eastern European?

The man with them speaks English, but it’s broken with a heavy accent. They’re in the middle of a conversation, but I catch enough to work out what’s going on. The man is demanding Gregg hands over the money before he hands over the boys.

He’s buying the three boys from this man!

Gregg has his usually cocky air about him, and he’s looking at the man with venom in his eyes when the stranger says, “It was hard work smuggling in three of them. I should ask for more money.”

Gregg’s face twists in anger, not appreciating the man’s threatening tone. Then, as if a switch has been flipped, his face becomes neutral once more, and the man rightly takes a hesitant step backwards.

Gregg doesn’t hesitate. He pulls out his gun and shoots the man in the head as he says, “Greed will earn you nothing.”

The screams of the three boys fill the air, but they don’t run. They are frozen to the spot, watching as the man’s body falls to the floor with a thud, blood seeping out from the wound between his eyes.

When they pull themselves together, the eldest of the three boys starts to turn, looking as if he’s going to run, dragging the other two with him. But before he gets the chance, Gregg lifts his gun and aims it at the boys, forcing them to freeze.

“If you run, I’ll shoot,” he says, sounding much calmer than he has any right to in this situation. “Do any of you speak English?”

The oldest nods slowly. “A little,” he mumbles.

Gregg takes a step towards them, and the youngest lets out a little squeak, his eyes wide with fear. Gregg doesn’t even register him, he just continues as though they’re not looking at him like the monster he is.

He addresses the eldest. “This is a great opportunity for you boys. If you do as you’re told, and learn quickly, you will live a life that’s better than anything you could have dreamt of back home.”

The boy opens his mouth before quickly closing it again, waiting for a moment, like he’s trying to find the right words. “We… W-we don’t want any t-trouble. We’d like t-to go home.”

Gregg scowls at the boys, who shrink back when they realise they’ve upset him. Then a sound from the opposite side of the car park grabs all of our attention. A man steps out of the shadows and walks towards Gregg, clapping him on the back.

Although it’s dark, there’s enough light to just about make out this man’s details.

He looks to be in his early fifties, with brown hair that’s greying on the sides.

The lines around his eyes and across his forehead are the only indicators that this man is older, as he’s otherwise in very good shape.

He looks to be well-built, muscular, an imposing figure, which contradicts the smile on his face. Until you get to his eyes, and the coldness in them lets you know exactly who this man is.

He turns to the boys, looking at them reassuringly as he says, “Unfortunately, that’s not an option. You either work for me, or you die. Your choice.”

The eldest boy translates to the younger ones, who both appear to be trembling with fear. Their conversation is short, since they weren’t really given many options, and the eldest turns back to the stranger. “We will work for you.”

Gregg’s lips tip into that evil smirk of his that makes my skin crawl. “You’ve made a good choice. You’re now working for The Count, don’t fuck it up.”

Warning bells echo around my head when I hear the name, my heart beating so loud I can hear it.

I knew this man was important, but I didn’t realise I was looking at the person running the whole operation.

The one who buys children, trains them, and places them in positions of power, so he has the reach he needs.

And that’s the children he keeps. I don’t even want to think about the ones he disposes of.

I’m so lost in thought, panic racing through my veins like ice, that it occurs to me too late that the meeting has finished, and they’re moving—heading in my direction. If I stay where I am, there’s a good chance they’ll pass me, and I can’t be found.

There’s a large industrial-sized bin a little further down, which I could hide behind to avoid being seen. Moving quickly and quietly, I make my way to the back of the bin.

I breathe a sigh of relief and sag against the bin once I’ve made it there safely. Unfortunately, I was so focused on getting to safety, I didn’t pay close attention to the bin, so I failed to notice that it’s on wheels.

The moment I sag against it, the bin moves. It wouldn’t have been so bad had it not run straight over a pile of glass from a broken bottle. The crunching of glass fills the air, making the scraping of the bin seem louder, and I hold my breath. All eyes turn towards the sound, and they land on me.

Gregg’s eyes widen for just a moment, shock marring his face when he realises it’s me, but all too quickly, that familiar rage takes over. I cast a quick glance at the boys, who seem to be silently pleading with me, hoping I’m their saviour—which I’m not.

When my gaze finally lands on The Count, my blood runs cold when I see his calm, deadly stare fixed on me. He doesn’t look angry, scared, or nervous. He certainly doesn’t look like someone who has just been caught doing something highly illegal, with a dead body behind him.

He’s dismissed me as a threat, and that makes me so fucking angry. I don’t even think; I cast one final glance at Gregg, letting him know he no longer has any control over me, and then I turn and run, never looking back.

I let out a shuddered breath as I finish explaining, opening my eyes to see Miles and Jake are still listening intently.

“It turns out I’m the only person, except those who work for him, who has seen The Count in the flesh.

He wants me dead, because I can identify him.

So, it’s not just Gregg and the police who are after me, it’s The Count and whatever sick fucking organisation he’s part of too. ”

Jake and Miles keep glancing at each other, like they’re having a silent conversation they don’t want me to be part of, but it’s easy to tell they’re worried for me.

Miles turns to face me, wincing as he squeezes my hand. “We will do everything we can to help you, and to keep you safe.”

Jake nods in agreement. “Speaking of which, now we know how much danger you’re really in, there’s no way we’re letting you go back to wherever you’re staying—alone. We need to keep an eye on you, to look out for you.”

He doesn’t even try to keep the possessive, protective edge from his voice, and I can’t help but smile. Though I wave him off dismissively. “I’ve been looking after myself for over nine years. I will be fine.”

Jake shakes his head, glaring at me. “I’ve got a spare room in my flat…several, actually. With all the security in my building, it’s one of the safest places in Blackthorn. You can move in there.”

My mouth flops open as my eyes widen almost comically, shocked by his suggestion. “What? I can’t…”

Miles groans, rubbing his hand down his face like he’s exhausted. “As much as I’d like to disagree with Jacob, I can’t. If you stay with him, you’ll be much safer than anywhere else.”

My cheeks flush, and I hate how shy and quiet I sound as I ask, “What about you?”

Miles tries to keep his expression neutral, but I see the way his eyes strain, like he’s uncomfortable. “My flat has no security, but I actually spend most of my time at Marcus’. I have my own room there.”

I want to say more, to make a suggestion I have no right to make, but I don’t want to damage the foundations we’ve been building today. Not when his hand in mine feels so fucking good.

Luckily, Jake saves me by cutting in. “Well, as I said, I have several spare rooms, so there’s more than enough if you want to stay there, too. To keep Indie safe, of course,” he quickly adds at the end, almost as an afterthought.

There’s a mischievous glint in Jake’s eyes, and I can almost see his plan written all over his face. I bite my cheek to keep from laughing as Miles shuffles uncomfortably. A flash of hope erupts in my chest, and I try to push it down but can’t.

The words are out before I can stop them. “If you agree to stay there when you can, I’ll agree to move in.”

Jake’s eyes light up, not even hiding his delight as his plan comes together. Miles groans as he says, “Fine. We’ll do that.”

Jake cheers, and a laugh bubbles over before I can stop it. The meddlesome bloke looks far too happy with himself. “Then it’s settled,” Jake says, puffing his chest out as he looks at me. “We’ll get you moved in, and then we’ll come up with a plan to deal with Gregg The Twat, and The Cunt.”

Miles rolls his eyes as both Jake and I laugh. I’m not sure what the hell will happen when I’m living with them both, but after finally getting my secret off my chest, I feel lighter than I have in years.

After years of running, I might actually be able to settle down and live a normal life, with the help of Miles and Jake. It’s something I’ve not even dared to dream about, and now it might be within my grasp. At the end of this, I’m going to owe these men a lot.