Lethal Obsession

Eye of the Beholder

**Wednesday**

Upon waking, I am still wrapped in Kale's arms. I look over at him and can't help but put on a wide smile. It's hard not to think about how I used to wake up in his embrace daily when we were a couple. I slip out of the sheets trying to be as quiet as possible to not wake him from his slumber. As I slowly move away from the edge of the bed, I feel a hand abruptly grab my shirt and pull me back toward the warm covers.

"You wouldn't be trying to sneak out on me, would you?" Kale gives me a devious smirk while propping himself up. He pats on the empty spot I was just laying in, ushe,ring me to lie back down.

My breathing starts to hitch as I stare at his impeccable, muscular torso. I look up at his mouth watering grin and nibble on my bottom lip. "Good morning. I was just going to shower. Chris is coming today and I didn't know what the plans are so I didn't want to lag."

He peers at me with his deep brown eyes as if he is looking into the depths of my soul. "We can do whatever your heart desires. There is no rush at all."

Here he goes again! He always knows the most charming things to say that go straight to my heart. I sit down next to him, nudge him on his side and follow with a small peck on his cheek. "I slept so well last night, Kale. Thank you so much for everything. I really should take a shower though."

He places his hand on the nape of my neck, lightly massaging it. "Good. That's exactly what I was hoping for. Okay, no problem.. See you downstairs after."

I nod and head out of the master bedroom and into the bathroom for my shower. While letting the hot water hit my battered body, I realize how Kale still makes my heart beat faster when I'm near him. I can honestly say that I am glad I came to their cabin to get away from Nate and all of his bullshit.

After I get ready, I make my way down the hall to the staircase. As I get closer, I can hear Christian's voice in an uproar. It's unlike Chris to use that tone, as he is always so easy going and innately ecstatic. I become very nervous as I take each step, one by one, closer to the loud noise in the living room. When I walk into the large open room, Kale, Beck and Chris all stop in their tracks and the room goes silent. I feel like a deer in headlights as their gazes fall upon me. I scan the room then question, "What's wrong guys?"

Beck and Chris are both looking at me with blank stares while Kale looks down at the hardwood floor with his arms folded across his chest. He looks furious like he is going to snap at any moment which makes me very wary of what they are hiding from me. "Is someone going to answer me dammit?! What's going on?" 

Kale changes his attitude immediately and looks up at me with sorrow as he unfolds his arms. I can now see that he is clenching something in his hand. He walks over to me with an envelope but pulls back and hesitates on giving it to me. "Christian found this in his locker at his station this morning before coming up here. You have every right to see it but I would prefer that you don't. Please just let me handle it. I'm sorry but I had to fill Christian in on what's going on with Nate after he found this."

The uneasiness takes over and I start to panic. The fact that it has something to do with Nate and that he is leaving something for Chris, scares me. "What is it Kale? Please tell me!" 

"Hun, you're not going to want to see it. Trust me on this..." He pauses for a moment, using his free hand to comb his fingers through his brown hair as I stare at the white envelope dangling from his fingers. Kale fully submerges into his anger again and punches his free fist into the wall as he yells, "I'm going to fucking kill him!"

I feel my heart sink into the pit of my stomach. What in the hell does this envelope contain to cause Kale to be so upset and conflicted? With trembling fingers I grab the envelope from his hand and look up at Kale. I can see the pain written across him like a sad story that has just climaxed. I slowly open the envelope to see what lies inside. When I take the contents out, I flip through each photo as tears engulf my eyes. Enclosed are pictures of me, some I am wearing lingerie I have never seen before and others I am totally naked. I look fucking lifeless and I almost don't even recognize myself since I don't recall any of these moments. I would never let Nate take photos of me like this even if I was aware of it! I notice that I remain unconscious or asleep in all of the disturbing images. In some, I am even restrained so even if I tried to get away, I couldn't have. When I look at these, I feel my nightmares coming to light again. Can I ever get away from Nate's undying torment?