Page 17 of Possession

I came to a standstill outside my stepfather’s office, the door slightly ajar, a dull glow of lamplight shining through.

When I stepped up to the one-inch gap to peep inside, my world combusted into utter destruction.

Greyson sat in an ostentatious armchair, legs spread wide as one hand wrapped around a tumbler of dark liquor, the other buried in the hair of Annika Sullivan, who was on her knees, sucking his cock. The same cock that had been inside me hours before.

Bile rose to the back of my throat as I watched him shove her down further until she choked.

“Lick my dick clean, you desperate whore,” he spat, his grey eyes stormy and transfixed.

I ran, barely making it to my en suite bathroom before vomiting everywhere.

Two things were true.

I was in love with Greyson Carmichael. IhatedGreyson Carmichael.

It only took me ten minutes to chuck together some clothes and collect my most valuable belongings. I didn’t have to take much since I’d be buying everything brand new.

It was then, in the early hours of the morning following my birthday celebration, that I walked out of the Carmichael Mansion, my mini suitcase rolling behind. I didn’t spare a second thought to my sudden absence, knowing I could easily convince my alcoholic mother that it washeridea to send me off to boarding school early.

Up until that point, I’d had two options for university, and there was no dispute about which I was going to accept. I had been more than ready to join Greyson at Bartholomew.

But in that thirty-second window of heartbreak and betrayal, he had smashed any future plans to smithereens. My focus pivoted inward, on my own survival and well-being.

I was eighteen years old, leaving the shelter of my home and moving across the country to escape my lost love, who happened to be my stepbrother.

Greyson may have taken my virginity, but I was loath to give him anything else. Little did I know that it would be three years until I saw him again, and even that would be too soon.

Chapter 10

GREYSON

That soft knock at my father’s office door sounded more like a death rattle, indicating my imminent end.

“You know what to do, son,” Father said.

And with his parting command, the man I hated above all others opened the door and left me to my supposed future.

I remained in the armchair, mute and frozen as murderous intent raced through my circulatory system.

Annika suddenly entered the hostile environment without any qualms, a smug smirk accompanying her swagger as she bumped the door closed with her ass.

“I’m not sorry, Greyson. Your attention was elsewhere, so I had to play dirty. You needed a reminder of who you belong to.”

The bitch was delusional. We’d never been together, despite her numerous attempts to seduce me throughout our first year at university. I found her repulsive and a fucking embarrassment, not able to take no for an answer. Annika was so unhinged that she managed to score an invite to my girl’s birthday and corner me in my own goddamn house. I threatened her, and she still didn’t get the fucking memo.

My mind raced with a million thoughts, most consisting of all the creative ways I could end her. I’d only managed to get to concept number thirty-three when she gave an almighty gasp, her attention on the crown jewel shining from the desk surface.

Looks like I’ll be going with option number nine.

I flicked an errant hand at the offering. “Put it on,” I said, voice monotone and dead. If Annika were smart enough, she would have taken note, but the crazy was high in that one.

She released an excited squeal before plucking the ring from its cushion and slipping it on.

Annika raised her hand, admiring the new addition before she sent me a cheeky side smile. I think she was going for flirtatious, but it fell short due to her vicious words.

“You had me worried for a second there. I thought I’d have to resort to drastic measures…” She clucked. “Bartholomew is a big, mysterious castle, and can be dangerous for newcomers…Especially innocent, beautiful ones like Ada. I would have hated for something to happen to her…”

Annika thought she could control me. However, the similarities with my daddy weren’t restricted to physical appearance alone. Under his tutelage, torture and pain were my expertise, and she had just summoned the executioner.