Page 90 of Veil of Obsession

But I squeeze her hand, hoping to reassure her.

“She’s leaving with me,” I say.

Her ma turns her attention on me, her eyes widening. She knows who I am. Good. She’ll think twice before pissing me off.

“How do you know my daughter? And what gives you the authority to come into my house and order her out?”

I look back at Princess. She looks so vulnerable standing there. Unsure. Her eyes avoid looking in one place for too long, she’s shaking like a leaf, and I can see tears welling up in her eyes.

I turn to her ma and say, “Well considering she’s my girlfriend, I think that’s good enough ‘authority’ for me to come in here and take her out on a date.”

Her ma turns her attention back on Princess, her face twisting in disgust before she spits the word, “Whore.”

I clench my jaw. Killing her is looking like a shiny, stellar idea. But instead, I look at the two boys standing beside her and say to them, “Get her out of the fucking way or I’ll put a bullet between her fucking eyes.”

There’s a gasp, and I know it was from her, but I don’t wait around to hear her response. Instead, I pull Princess in front of me and make sure she gets out the door before me.

On the way down the steps and toward my car, Princess whispers, “You know you didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to, I hope you don’t mind,” I tell her as I open the passenger door.

She slips inside; I close the door gently before rounding the car and getting into the driver’s seat. This is not how I though today was going to go, but this means I get to spend the rest of my day with her, not alone or doing some bullshit while all I wanted to do was be with her.

Turning the ignition on, I pull out of the parking spot and take the road that’ll take us just outside the city. I was planningto take her later on tonight when I snuck into her room, but I guess we’re just having to push the plans a little forward.

We’re quiet for the majority of the car ride. When I look over to Princess, I see that she has fallen asleep, her head leaning against the window. I have to force myself to look ahead at the road because all I want to do is just watch her sleep, to make sure that she’s actually here and safe with me.

It doesn’t take long before we get over the Queensboro Bridge, but it is another hour before we reach Jones Beach. Princess is still asleep by the time the car comes to a full stop in the parking lot, and my phone vibrates in the pocket of my jacket. I take it out; the text is from Donny, one of the guys working under me.

Donny:

Everything’s ready for ya at Jones Beach, boss.

Me:

Go home. You’ve done well.

Donny doesn’t send another message, and Princess is stirring awake. I slip my phone back into my jacket pocket. She yawns, stretching her arms above her head, before rubbing a hand over the space where her shoulder and neck connect.

“Hey,” I say, keeping my voice low to not startle her.

She looks at me, her expression soft, vulnerable.

“Hi,” she whispers back before looking around and out the windows. “Are we at the beach?”

I give her a nod before asking, “Do you want to get out and sit at the beach instead of staying in my car?”

Princess hesitates for a beat before she nods. Unlocking the doors, I step out, and so does she. She leans over the hood of my car looking at me.

“Thanks.” It’s one word, but it holds so much meaning.

I shake my head and say, “Come on, let’s go.”

We walk side-by-side together until we reach the sand. The guys set up everything for me in the perfect spot. It’ll take five minutes for us to reach it, and I take the opportunity to distract her.

“You liked the flowers?”

She turns, her gaze roaming over my face as if she’s taking in every single thing and burning it into her memory. “Yes. How did you know my favorite flowers?”