Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0262

Adam POV

Looking down at Lottie, who slept cradled in my arms, I found myself wondering if she realised she might have been on the brink of death. Did she understand that by throwing herself into the fray to protect me, she had endangered herself and her unborn children? Why did she feel the need to protect me a grown man who had consciously decided to engage in that fight? She was an innocent who had already suffered enough at the hands of fate.

The silent drive in Liam's car was a heavy one, the quiet only amplifying the turmoil churning inside me. The darkness outside mirrored the dark thoughts swirling through my mind, punctuated by the soft rise and fall of Lottie's breathing. The guilt of seeing her in harm's way because of me gnawed at my insides; I should have been the one protecting her, not the other way around.

"Wow, you are stupid," Astaroth's voice cut through the quiet, his tone laced with disdain. I bristled at his presence a demon entwined not only with my sister's fate but now seemingly with mine as well. There was something unnervingly familiar about him that set my nerves on edge, a recognition in the depths of his eyes that I couldn't quite place but that made me deeply uncomfortable.

"Because for some unknown reason, she loves you," he stated, the tension in his voice suggesting he was holding back more. Part of me wondered if I even wanted to know what else he might say. I trusted nothing that slithered out from between those sharp, demon lips.

"She doesn't know me," I muttered, returning my gaze to Lottie, who slept obliviously across my lap. I was convinced that if she really knew me, knew the depths of darkness that lurked in my past and the blood that stained my hands, she would recoil in horror. I resolved once again to keep my distance, to shield her from the tainted world I inhabited. Yet, Savage, my wolf, stirred within, disagreeing. The rage and impulsiveness that usually characterised him were muted, subdued by Lottie's calming presence. But I shut him out, unwilling to confront the implications and calmness her presence had on him.

I brushed a stray hair from Lottie's face, my fingers lingering slightly as I marvelled at how much she resembled our mother. Her gentle features, framed by soft blonde hairs that curled in the dried blood, brought back a flood of memories-memories of a love and warmth brutally snatched away by violence.

"Does she know how much of her mother is in her?" I wondered through mindlink to Liam, a smile touching my lips at the thought.

Astaroth announced abruptly, pulling me from my reverie. I looked up sharply, realising he was responding to

checking you out, not so good now when you have to listen to your whiny ass moan that she tried to save you," he continued, his smug smile framed by those unsettling red eyes. He stood there in his sharply tailored suit, looking

irritation flaring at his accurate yet unwanted intrusion into

seat, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. There was concern etched across his face,

for some understanding in his expression, hoping he might see the conflict that tore at my soul-a conflict born of love, guilt, and

le

hear what I'm thinking," I snapped back angrily at Liam, who simply arched a brow in response but held his tongue as I cut him off "Eyes on the fucking road," I barked, my voice terse. The last thing. wanted was to delve into this mess right now, especially not with a demon lounging comfortably in our midst, privy to every word

car so watch the road not us." Through the mindlink, I shot a

to follow

about the fight," Liam retorted aloud, his voice a mix of irritation and concern, reflecting his deep understanding of the turmoil within me. "Nope. The fucker had it coming," I snapped back, even though part of me couldn't

clearly amused by our exchange. "But still

shifting my gaze back to Lottie, who had stirred slightly in my lap. My heart raced with worry-had Astaroth done something to her? She was usually alert

to save you," Liam pressed on, reading me too well. His words were accurate, but admitting that felt like acknowledging a failure

exhausted. Do you know

was for