Page 6 of Tainted Obsession 1

I nod quickly. “Yes,” I agree. “I won’t mess up again. I won’t put you in danger.”

He brushes an approving kiss over my aching forehead, and warmth settles over me despite the brief flicker of pain. George is with me, and we’re both alive. Safe.

I’ll do anything to protect him, even if that means giving up my small pleasures. I can go back to my photography hobby when we move back to the States.

I’ll never make a career with my art. It’s just a silly way I like to express my irrepressible creative streak. It’s always been an impractical indulgence, and now, it almost got both of us killed.

I’ll be more vigilant from now on.

“You should quit your job,” he says, and cold panic pulses through me. “Your small paycheck isn’t worth risking our lives.”

“No!” I take a breath to calm my nerves. “Please, George. I can’t just stay in that apartment all the time.”

I’m not particularly extroverted—George is the only real friend I’ve ever had—but the apartment is small and cramped. The dangers of the city hem me in even more.

I can’t bear to be trapped inside, locked away from the beauty and the ugliness of the world. All facets of humanity fascinate me. Even if I’m apart from the emotional bonds most people easily enjoy, I’m able to observe it all through the lens of my camera.

“You wouldn’t be in the apartment all the time. We’ll still go to the market together,” George allows.

The only time I get to take my camera out is on our weekly trips to the market, when George takes time away from work to accompany me. Otherwise, my commute to the university allowsme a small window into the world. If I lose that, I’ll go crazy from the isolation.

“That’s once a week,” I say weakly, feeling selfish that I’m protesting when he only wants to protect us both.

He rakes a hand through his sandy hair, mussing it from its usual tidy style. He only does that when he’s deeply frustrated with me, and the gesture makes me cringe internally.

“I’ll spend more time with you,” he promises. “You can come with me when I’m networking socially. But you’re not going to the university anymore. Not by yourself. And I can’t leave work to escort you around the city every day.”

Anguish crushes my heart, but I can’t defy him. He’s only being reasonable and responsible for our safety.

We won’t be in Mexico City forever. I can deal with the temporary isolation.

“You’d be okay with me going to the bar with you and your friends?” I ask cautiously.

George usually doesn’t want me around when he’s establishing his career connections. Going out for drinks and forming friendships is an important part of advancement in his line of work. The camaraderie he shares with his fellow agents also keeps us in a tight-knit community that adds another layer of protection. We’re outsiders here, and the nature of George’s work makes us enemies of the cartels.

He nods tightly. “I can keep an eye on you when we go out,” he says. “Besides, a couple of the other wives come out with us sometimes.”

“They do?” I ask breathlessly, hope budding in my chest.

I don’t make friends easily, but female company would be nice. Especially if I’m going to be confined to the apartment for most of every day.

He nods again, that awful frown still tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Thank you,” I say fervently. “I’ll be safe as long as I’m with you.”

George is myperson.He’s my everything, my entire world. He won’t allow anyone to take me from him ever again.

Besides, he can’t keep me safe if I make foolish, headstrong choices. I won’t fight him on this anymore. I’ll quit my job and make the shabby little apartment into a home for us.

“Do as I say, and you’ll be safe,” he says. “I can’t protect you if you get reckless and go off on your own to take your pictures.”

“I won’t,” I agree.

He rubs his hand up and down my back in a soothing motion.

“We won’t be here forever, baby,” he reassures me. “Just a year or two until I get promoted.”

I nod, hardening my resolve. I can stay mostly isolated for that period of time.