Page 15 of Possession

I was a fool. I’d given him the knowledge of my one true weakness. And in doing so, I had handed him the tools to destroy me.

Chapter 9

ADA

I snuggled lower in Greyson’s bed, his silk sheets and familiar scent enveloping me in memory, taking me back to the first time I had snuck into his bed.

Not long after my sixteenth birthday, I’d had a particularly bad dream. I had tried to tell my mother that I hadn't had proper sleep for months, but she palmed me off like she always did. I was a fool to think she’d care. If it didn’t include money, alcohol or gossip, she wasn’t interested. I was on my own.

Troubled and distressed, I shook myself out of bed, retracing the hollow hallways as a midnight chill sank deeper in my bones.

For one night—one fucking night—I sought comfort, simple temporary relief against the demon that was relentless in pursuing me.

Which unintentionally led me to Greyson’s door.

Over the years, we had come to a silent understanding. Despite his cold exterior, we shared a common experience. One of rejection, neglect and physical pain from those who were ingrained to love us the most.

However, our parents only knew how to destroy, manipulate or abuse any bond that wasn’t directly under their control—as was the world in which we existed. So, we actively stayed apart.

To the outside world, we were begrudging stepsiblings who barely tolerated each other’s presence. Yet, in reality, Greyson and I had made an unintentional connection, forged from the broken pieces of our innocent souls. And although we weren’t close in the traditional sense, I had to admit that he had become somewhat of a safe place.

Hence why I slipped into his bedroom, quickly closing the door behind me before I changed my mind. I could just make out his sleeping form, my eyes tracing his silhouette in the middle of his gigantic bed.

I had never entered his space or sought him out on purpose before. Our previous interactions were always subtle or accidental, veiled in secrets and chance encounters.

But I was desperate for a single ounce of solace. I didn’t care if I appeared weak. At that moment, that’s exactly what I was.

After a few seconds of hesitation, I finally built up the courage to dive beneath his covers, snuggling into his side, seeking a tiny modicum of warmth.

Greyson startled awake. In one cohesive movement, he flipped on top of me, his hands barring tightly around my throat until he registered who was beneath him.

He jolted away, releasing his hold. “What the fuck, Ada?!”

Shit, I didn’t think this through. Greyson wore trunks and nothing else, his bare skin blazing and muscles tense. But there was something else—something sinister lurking beneath that I didn’t notice before.

My fingers sketched what had been unveiled, his chest and torso covered in fresh wounds, swollen and aggravated.

“You’re hurt,” I said, my tone laced with underlying pain in reaction to his own.He’s a mess.

Greyson caught my roaming hand in his, sending me a severe stare. “What are you doing in my bed?”

No, he can’t send me away.I whimpered in panic. “Please don’t make me leave.Please, Greyson…”

I let the request settle between us. He knew how much that cost me. The word please was hardly used in each other’s presence, if ever at all.

He faltered for a moment, his perusal harsh, and for the first time in forever, I let him see it all.

Read my weakness, exert your power, just don’t leave me alone.

After a beat, he flopped back down on the bed, his upper arm rising to cover his eyes. “Just for tonight.”

I slumped down beside him, relief sweeping through me as I tried and failed to inconspicuously shift nearer.

“Too close,” he snapped.

“Sorry.”Not sorry. I ignored his bitchy mood and pressed further until his arm grazed mine.

“You’re breathing too loud.”