Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0313

Kane's POV

I tore through Lottie's room like a man possessed, yanking open drawers and flinging their contents across the floor. Clothes, books, and trinkets scattered in disarray, but none held the answers I sought. My heart pounded in my chest, a relentless beat matching the chaos in my mind. Desperation clawed at me.

Where is she?

I overturned the mattress, the bedsprings groaning in protest. Nothing. I ripped the curtains from their rods, moonlight slicing into the room and casting jagged shadows. Every fibre of my being was focused on finding some clue, any sign of where she'd gone-or who had taken her.

From the corner, Liam sat casually in a chair, one leg crossed over the other, observing my frenzy with an infuriatingly calm demeanour. His gaze followed my every move, eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something else judgement.

"Tell me," he drawled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, "are you throwing this hissy fit because Lottie is missing or because your brother hurt your feelings?"

"What?" I whipped around to glare at him, chest heaving.

"I am not throwing a hissy fit," I growled, seizing a bedside table and hurling it across the room. It crashed into the wall beside Liam, missing him by inches before splintering to the floor. He didn't even flinch. Instead, his smirk widened, eyes dancing with that infuriating amusement.

"You're not?" Liam taunted, arching an eyebrow. His relaxed posture only served to stoke the fire burning within me. The mocking tone of his voice sent a hot surge of anger coursing through my veins.

A low growl rumbled from deep in my chest as I began to cross the room toward him, each step measured and deliberate. I felt Rolo stir within me, mirroring my agitation. My fists clenched at my sides, knuckles white, nails digging into my palms. Liam watched me approach, utterly unperturbed, his gaze steady.

"You going to hit me?" he asked, a deep chuckle escaping his lips. The sound made me pause, a flicker of uncertainty disrupting my anger. "I am your only friend left. You really want to alienate me too?" His words caught me off guard, slicing through the haze of rage clouding my mind.

shoulders easing ever so slightly as I bent to pick up an overturned chair. My movements slowed, deliberately. The air between us

though the venom had drained from my

a small pillow that had fallen to the floor and tossed it at me. It struck my shoulder lightly before

your shoulders because your brother is a sulky child. I feel bad knowing I get to spend time with Lottie-I get to watch her grow, see her turn into a beautiful woman and mother-while you don't. I feel for you. But I do not pity you, because although I feel bad for you, this is a consequence of

hung in the air like a dense fog. I froze, replaying his last sentence in my mind. *The deal you made.* A cold chill ran down

you hear that?" I whispered

tone. I turned

the tension coiling tight within me. Liam's confident

swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing noticeably. "I don't know what

play dumb with me," I snarled, taking a step toward him. "You said this was a consequence of my actions and the

maybe I misspoke," he stammered. "Emotions are high

to mine, mix of regret and apprehension swirling within them. Before he

naked and exuding a wild intensity. His chest heaved with

ash and streaked with blood. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and his

else-something otherworldly-clung to him.

gasped, his gaze darting frantically between

but the words caught in my throat as I took in his appearance.

His declaration hung heavy in the air, silencing any questions I

stepping toward

hand across his brow. The urgency in his voice ignited a spark of panic within me. I exchanged a glance with Liam, all previous tension was momentarily forgotten. "Who

Chase replied, his eyes blazing with fury. "He is not