Possession(78)

I take my seat next to Drake, but he doesn’t stop reading the paper. I know something’s up, but I’m guessing he’s deliberately leaving it until he shows me whatever he has in store.

George places a plate of brown toast, scrambled eggs, and strawberries on the side before wishing me bon appétit and leaving me and Drake alone. Once he does, the silence is deafening. My stomach rolls with nausea at the thought of what might be in store for me today.

I eat the toast, but I can’t stomach the eggs. Drake notices of course. “Are you not hungry?”

I look across at him. “No, not really. I actually feel a bit sick.”

Placing the paper down, he cups my stomach with a frown. “Are you okay?”

I chuckle at his excessive concern. “I’m fine, Drake. What’s gotten into you today?” I smile at him, and he smiles back, but I can tell it’s forced.

“Nothing. I just worry about you.”

Staring at the truth in his eyes, I can’t help but feel how different this man before me is. Why is it only now that I’m being treated with kid gloves? Because I’ve been abused? Violated in the worst way possible? Wanting him this way is the only thing I have ever dreamed about, but now that it’s here, I find it odd. This man looks like Drake, but he has someone else’s personality entirely. It’s like someone else’s soul has entered his body. I don’t know how I feel about it.

Sighing, Drake stands up. “Are you ready then?”

I frown, but nod my head—unsure if I really want to know what’s going to happen next. “Okay. I’m ready.”

He doesn’t take my hand like he would normally do. Instead, he motions for me to walk ahead, and I do so, taking tentative steps. Once in the hallway, we see Kane. “We’re ready now.”

Kane nods. “Yes, sir. The car is waiting out front.”

Drake nods and presses his hand into the small of my back. He leads me outside and into the waiting car. Kane gets in with another guard, and we drive in silence for around ten minutes until we reach a beautiful area of Sutton Scotney. We approach a gated community, and we’re let in straight away. Once past the gates, Kane finds a parking space and stops. The whole time I’m sitting there, frowning and wondering why we’re here.

“Do you trust me?” Drake suddenly asks. “I know I haven’t given you a reason to, but can I ask that of you now?” I nod my head, knowing he’s sincere, and he gets out of the car. Pretty soon, my door is open too, and Drake leads me up the two small steps until we reach the front door of the building. Drake enters a code, and when we walk in, we’re met by a security guard who acknowledges Drake straight away.

“Good morning, Mr Salvatore.”

“Good morning, Sam.” Without another word, Drake moves us towards the lift and we get in. He pushes a key inside the lock and presses the button for the top floor.

Once the lift opens, we’re met with a vast lighted hallway with a huge mirror and a vase filled with sunflowers. Beside the vase is one door. Drake puts the key in the lock and pushes through. Once inside, Kane stands by the door and lets us have our privacy.

Turning, I look around, taking in the huge living room and adjoining dining area. It has all the mod cons of an upscale apartment with its white walls, plush beige carpets, and stunning views of the city outside the balcony doors. As we walk farther in, Drake places the keys somewhere, and I hear the clanking sound. Turning, I find an open-plan kitchen with black granite work surfaces and white cupboards. The place looks beautiful. Frowning, I notice two big manila envelopes next to the set of keys. That’s when I finally turn to Drake. “What’s going on?”

He waves his hand around the apartment. “This is all yours.”

My eyes widen. “Mine?” I almost screech. “Drake, I don’t understand.”

He sighs, closing his eyes, and then I see that jaw tick I’m so used to. He’s either angry or finding something really difficult. I’m guessing that under the circumstances, it’s the latter.

“When I went away for those few days, it was so that I could think because I needed to figure out what to do next. You see, the moment I met you, I thought I knew my purpose in life, and that was to make you mine at all costs. I didn’t think—or even care—about the consequences because, Evelyn, I’m a selfish man. A ruthless, selfish, despicable man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I thought I had a handle on things. I thought I knew my purpose.” He sighs, looking away for a moment.

“Something’s changed. What is it?”

Drake looks back at me with a pained expression on his face. “Seeing you strapped up …” He grits his teeth, turning away from me and taking deep breaths as he paces. After a beat, he turns to me. “I always knew that what I did was wrong, but I couldn’t help myself. You were all I ever needed … all I ever craved. I knew I would stop at nothing to get my way. But when I saw you that way that night, you made me see all those girls my father had made me …” He looks down, shaking his head. “It’s like a switch was flipped.” He looks back up, and I see the turmoil in his eyes. I almost go over to comfort him, but a part of me realises that this is not what’s he’s after right now, so I stop myself.