Page 79 of Obsession

He simply shrugs, not denying or affirming my accusation. “I think you’d be foolish if you protected him. He’s a condemned murderer.”

“Fuck you!” Facing forward with a huff, I cross my arms.

Undeterred, Elliot continues, “He’s been missing for nearly two weeks. That’s longer than anyone anticipated. Unless you’ve failed to notice, Savannah, it’s freezing outside. Someone is protecting him.”

“How do you know he hasn’t found a really good hiding place?”

“Like where?” He scoffs. “Someone’s shed? Garage?”

“It’s possible.”

His knee jiggles. He’s annoyed. “Don’t be naive.”

“No, you’re being naive. When I return home after our little excursion, the police will do a sweep of my house. Don’t you think they would’ve found Robbie by now if he hid inside my house?”

“Robbie?” He nods slowly. “You’re on first name basis now, right?”

“Pull over,” I demand, and when he doesn’t, I turn in my seat. “Pull. Over.”

The car slows to a stop at the side of the road. I throw open the door without a backward glance and stumble outside.

Elliot slams his shut behind me and catches up to me in three strides. I’m not quick enough to escape him. He grabs my arm and spins me around so fast my head spins. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

Wrenching free, I burn him to a crisp with a glare before walking down the busy road. Anger vibrates every bone in my body.

He grabs me again, and I lash out, smacking him in the chest.

“Stop it,” he growls.

“I don’t understand why James insists we work together. Especially now that you’ve stolen my story.”

“I didn’t steal your fucking story. Do you think James gave me a choice?”

“I think you wanted it so much, you didn’t exactly try to turn it down.”

“Why does it matter to you? The interviews with Hammond are over. You won’t be seeing him again.”

A car whizzes past, stealing my attention. I look back at Elliot and pull free from his grip.

This time, he lets me.

“Why does it matter to you?” I counter. “Why do you want Hammond’s story so badly?”

“I don’t. Not anymore.”

“Why?” I’m so fucking confused and angry and frustrated.

“I was just trying to evoke a damn reaction from you.”

I freeze.

“You won’t fucking look at me twice. Ever since you walked into the office, I haven’t been able to see anyone else.”

“No…” I shake my head in denial. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not. At least you paid me an ounce of attention when I was being a dick to you.”

My mouth gapes, and I scoff. “Did you think I would want to go out with you if you behaved like a massive asshole?”