Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Kane POV

***

Two Months Earlier.

One afternoon, driven by a mix of hope and longing, I decided to visit the Sparrow brothers' mansion. I had been desperate, clinging to any chance to reconnect with Charlotte, and I hoped today would be the day. As I approached the grand entrance, my heart pounded with a nervous energy. Adam answered the door, his expression unreadable. His eyes met mine, and I got the sense he wasn't surprised to see me almost as if he'd been expecting this visit.

"Can I see her?" I asked, striving to keep my voice steady.

"Why should I let you?" he replied coolly as he eyed me sceptically.

"Because I need to talk to her. Please." I swallowed my pride. He hesitated a flicker of something-pity, perhaps-crossing his face.

"Wait here," he finally said, stepping aside to allow me into the foyer as he punched something into his phone, and a loud click thundered in my ears.

"Safety first." He shrugged. After a tense moment, he led me to the study. Charlotte sat at a table with Liam, her head bent over a book. Chase lounged nearby, casually spinning a dagger on the tip of his finger, the sharp point glinting dangerously. His gaze lifted to mine, and I noticed his eyes harden-a clear sign that my presence was unwelcome.

Liam seemed absorbed in whatever they were reading, but Charlotte looked up as I entered. Her eyes flashed a deep purple-the telltale sign that Sage was alert. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, every fibre of my being yearning to close the distance between

us.

"Charlotte," I began cautiously, stepping further into the room. "May I have a moment alone with you?" Before she could respond, Chase stood up, his posture tense.

"That's not happening," he stated firmly as I turned to him, not wanting to fight him on this.

"She can make her own decisions," I retorted, struggling to keep my frustration in check. Adam crossed his arms, positioning himself beside Chase.

"Not when it comes to you," he stated. "We won't allow it; the last decision she made when it came to you two cost her everything if I recall." My eyes drifted to Charlotte, who looked on, glossy-eyed but calmly. Ignoring them, I spoke directly to Charlotte, who seemed quieter than usual.

away. "It's improper for us to be alone," she stated softly; those words were not hers but those of the Sparrow brothers; I knew that. "If you need time with a female, perhaps you should find Connie. I won't face the backlash." Her words hit me

not like that," I

"You should leave." I glanced back at Charlotte, hoping for any sign of

mumbled awkwardly, hating myself for not

tone final. Defeated, I nodded and turned to leave. As I walked out, I could feel their eyes on me, a mix of distrust and protectiveness. Once outside, I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. The encounter had gone worse than I'd

in my hands as I replayed it all in my hands. How did it get this bad? The weight of hopelessness settled heavily

mind-what if the Moon Goddess granted her

"Astaroth."

I found myself standing in a hellscape straight out of a nightmare.

"Welcome, Kane," Astaroth's voice

seemed absurdly

innocence. I swallowed hard, the acrid taste of bile rising in

my discomfort with sarcasm. He smirked, his eyes

do," he replied

why

stench of decay was overwhelming, making it

deliberate step toward me.

do?" He

know why I'm here," I replied tersely, struggling

I'd like to hear you

palms, every fibre of my being resisting the urge to lash out. But I knew I was at his mercy. Taking

nausea, I nodded.

grudgingly. "I want Charlotte

that so?" He raised an

Please."I half begged as Astaroth stepped closer, his gaze