Page 84 of Daddy's Obsession


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I take a deep breath, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “There has to be another way…”

I wrack my brain, searching for a solution. Nothing comes, every possible answer eludes me. I don’t know if this is a game that can be won. If I choose Dad, Odette will die. If I relent and give Gabriel the USB to save his daughter, my father will die. If it’s not one, it’s the other. Unless…

“We’ll make a copy,” I say firmly, hope rising in my chest.

Gabriel frowns, understandably lost. “What?”

“Favreaux and Lucius both want the codes to Dad’s offshore accounts, so we’ll give them to them. We never promised exclusive access to the money. It’s not our fault one got to the McHale fortune before the other.”

“That’s a risky move, Raquel.”

“But it’s the only move we have.” I walk over to him, crouching down at his side with a hand on his lap. I peer up at him, nervous and just as unsure as he seems to be. “We’ll stop somewhere with the equipment to make an exact copy when we cross the border. And then we can go our separate ways.”

Gabriel looks like he has something to say, his mouth dropping open—only to snap shut again. He nods once. I take it to mean he’s on board with my ludicrous, desperate plan.

Chapter 33

Gabriel

We leave the cabin roughly an hour later. Even though this place doesn’t look like it’s currently being occupied, I’d rather not overstay our welcome. The last thing I want to deal with right now is an angry, shotgun-wielding woodsman who’s more than within his right to fill us full of lead for trespassing.

We only take what we need. Raquel manages to find some aspirin for me to swallow, along with some baggy pants and a warm sweater since there’s no hope of saving my bloody, laser-singed clothes. Raquel manages to find herself a baggy sweatshirt to throw on, the excess fabric practically engulfing her entire frame.

She’s beautiful. I can’t stop staring. Even when she’s beat up, tired, and miserable, Raquel is arguably the most gorgeous being to ever walk the Earth. Even when she doesn’t say more than five words to me as we load the car, even when she refuses to meet my eyes or give me her signature smile, I’m still thoroughly entranced. I just wish…

I just wish this tense air between us would go away. I miss the sound of her laugh, the spark behind her chocolate brown eyes, the way everything about her body makes my heart sing. I know she’s angry with me, and she has every right to be, but God do I wish I could turn back time and tell her the truth before it was too late.

We get in the car and hit the road. Raquel’s behind the wheel, gaze set straight ahead while she ignores me in her periphery. I know the roads better, but with my injury it’s probably better if she drives. Our gloomy grey-white surroundings whiz past, only a few other sorry souls out on the highway the day after Christmas.

I don’t know what to say to her. An apology doesn’t feel like enough, but I don’t know how much longer I can stew in the silence. We’ve been on the road for hours without a single word exchanged.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about,” I say softly.

Raquel grips the steering wheel tight but doesn’t even glance at me. “Nothing.”

“Talk to me, Raquel.”

“What’s there to say?”

“I know you’re mad at me.”

“I’m not mad.”

“You’re not?”

“No, I’m just disappointed.”

I wince. “You should yell at me. It’ll make you feel better.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “Will it make me feel better, or will it makeyoufeel better?”

“Scream at me,” I suggest. “Don’t keep it bottled up.”

Raquel laughs bitterly. “Wow, you really can’t stand the silent treatment, huh?”

I hold my breath. I really can’t. Not when the sound of her voice brings me peace. Not when her laugh brightens my whole day. Everything about this woman is brave and beautiful and brilliant, so much so that it terrifies me knowing I’m about to lose it all. What happens when we finally part ways? That’ll be it. I’ll never see her again.

The thought is enough to drive me crazy.

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