Found Obsession

Chapter 49: A clue - A kiss

Rose was surprised that he had actually shown up. She hadn't fully thought this through-she could have captured him right then.

Her fingers itched to reach for her gun, but one hand gripped the USB, and the other held the folder. She hesitated, her mind racing as she began to ascend the stairs again, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Stopping at his level, her legs felt like jello. He's really here, she thought, barely able to process it.

Before she could react further, a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder. In an instant, she was spun around, her back hitting the wall with a thud.

"Ugh," she groaned, the impact knocking the wind out of her.

His arm was pressed against her neck, pinning her in place, while his hand gripped her shoulder tightly.

Rose managed to steady herself, her gaze locking onto the black mask with golden designs. And there they were-those grey eyes. Furious, stormy grey eyes.

For a moment, she was lost in them. There was a hidden storm beneath the surface, dark and turbulent, yet they were undeniably beautiful.

Then it hit her-his leg was between her thighs, pinning her against the wall. His arm pressed firmly against her neck, his height towering over her. She barely reached his chin.

"Are you angry?" she asked, her voice steadier than she expected. "I thought you wanted us to tell the truth. Did the media and the public not react how you hoped for?"

She was surprised by her own boldness.

"You played your cards, and I had to play mine," she added, pushing him off slightly.

He offered no resistance, releasing her and rolling away to lean against the wall. Rose exhaled, her chest loosening as the pressure lifted.

She turned her head to see him sideways, the dim light casting shadows across him. The golden designs on his mask glinted faintly, contrasting with the darkness that surrounded them.

His grey eyes remained fixed on her, a mixture of intensity and something deeper lurking beneath the surface. Rose felt the tension in the air shift, a silent communication passing between them, as if both were weighing the unspoken words hanging heavily in the space between them.

Time was ticking. "Is Emma okay? And her grandfather? Do you have them? Will they live?" she asked urgently.

She watched as he pulled a pen and some sticky notes from his pocket, his left gloved hand moving swiftly across the paper.

"Yes."

Rose let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She licked her lips and swallowed hard.

"When you took Martin and brought the child home, why did you help the child?"

He scribbled quickly. "Why wouldn't I?"

Did that mean he had a soft spot for children?

Rose looked away, the weight of their silence pressing down on them as if they were just two normal people-rather than a killer and the one hunting him.

She swallowed again.

"I know you stole a list I found somewhere in my house," she began once more.

Silence enveloped them.

"How did you even get in?" Rose groaned internally, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

As she saw him about to scribble, her heart raced.

"No, never mind. Don't answer that," she whispered, goosebumps rising on her arms.

"I have a vague memory of that list, and I want to know if this man is on it." She pulled out the picture of Bruce Jones.