Page 54 of Shadows of Obsession

Connor nodded, but his eyes betrayed lingering concern. He leaned against the counter, his brow furrowed like he was trying to piece things together. "I believe you," he said, but there was an undercurrent of unease in his tone. "It's just… Anna's been through hell and back. The last thing I want is for her to feel unsafe or pressured."

I looked up, meeting Connor's gaze with as much sincerity as I could muster. "Connor, I'm not going to hurt her. She's been through enough without me adding to it."

Connor sighed, nodding. He seemed to relax slightly, though he still watched me with caution. "I know. Just… she needs friends more than anything right now."

The words hit differently than I expected. Friends. That's what we were trying to be.

"I'm not looking for anything more than that, Connor," I said, though even as the words left my mouth, something in my chest tightened and my mouth soured. I reminded myself to keep it that way.

Connor gave me a nod, then turned back to the sink, rinsing some dishes from the night before. I resumed cleaning up, feeling the weight of his words settle over me.

"I'm heading home," I told Connor, my tone firm. "I need to check on Jared and get cleaned up."

Connor nodded, concern evident in his eyes. "Okay… Is everything all good, or...?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Sure, as good as can be, I guess."

"What's the plan?" Connor asked, his brows furrowing with worry.

I hesitated before responding, frustration creeping into my voice. "Right now, he said he needs to figure out a plan, but I'm not trusting anything he says. I shouldn't have fallen asleep here last night. I hate the thought of him alone in my place."

Connor mulled over my words, his expression troubled. He seemed to be grappling with something, his mouth opening and closing as if debating whether to voice it.

"What?" I prompted, sensing his hesitation.

"You know I'm leaving next week for that show…" Connor began, his voice trailing off.

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I was hoping you would stay here with Anna in the guest room," Connor admitted, his tone uncertain. "But with Jared in your house…"

My jaw tightened at the mention of Jared's name. The complications just kept piling up.

"I can ask Harper to come stay here with her, or maybe Denny," Connor suggested, trying to find a solution.

I shook my head, dismissing the idea immediately. "No. Harper wouldn't be enough to ensure Anna's safety, and Denny would only make her want to hide in her room. How long are you going to be gone again?"

"I hate to say it, but it's a three-week circuit. Nonstop, with no breaks for me to fly back even for a day," Connor said, his voice laced with regret. "I would cancel it because of Anna, but she wouldn't want that. And honestly… I can't. The show is too big, too important to miss for some of the horses. They need to be there." His shoulders slumped as he spoke, his usual confidence visibly drained.

Three weeks. That was a long time to leave Anna here alone, especially with Jared lurking around the edges of everything.

I nodded, the decision forming before I'd fully thought it through. "I'll stay," I replied without hesitation, my voice resolute. "I'll figure something out with Jared, but I'll stay with Anna."

Connor's relief was obvious, even as concern flickered in his eyes. "Are you sure? I don't want to put you in a tough spot. If Jared causes any trouble—"

"I can handle him," I cut in firmly. "You just focus on the show. I've got this covered."

Connor sighed, the weight on his shoulders lifting slightly. "Thanks, Jaxon. I really appreciate it. You're the only one I think she'd be comfortable with besides Harper." He noted her comfort with me.

I nodded, grabbing my jacket from the back of one of the chairs as I headed for the door. "Text me the dates you're gone so I can work something out to make sure I'm here," I told him, my tone determined.

I stepped out and headed toward my Jeep parked by the barn, my mind already churning through logistics. How the hell was I supposed to keep an eye on Jaredandstay here with Anna? The two things felt mutually exclusive, yet somehow I'd just committed to both. I knew I needed to figure it out.

When I got home, the place was exactly as I'd left it. Too quiet, with that unsettling stillness that comes from knowing someone else has been there in your absence. Jared was crashed on the couch, still asleep, one arm thrown over his face. For a moment, I just stood there watching him. This stranger who shared my DNA but felt like a completely different species.

I showered quickly, changed into fresh clothes, and forced myself to wake him up. We had a full day ahead: errands, his parole officer meeting, all the bureaucratic bullshit that comes with re-entering society after five years behind bars.

"Get up," I said, nudging his shoulder. "We've got places to be."