He was frowning, and Camila didn’t fight when he suddenly put an arm around her and tugged her body into his side, his arm around her shoulders holding her tightly. She knew he did it to make the both of them feel better because with every word he said, Camila could feel her insides start to freeze over.
It was bad enough that Adrien had come out, and people had died thanks to him, but if others had escaped with him, then wasn’t it possible that he had something to do with it all? It would be too convenient if others had been planning to escape and he just happened to be part of the group that managed it.
Camila had a frightening thought, that Adrien was the mastermind behind the escape. And if he could escape from a well-guarded prison, what were the chances that he could appear at the mansion when they least expected it?
Suddenly, she didn’t think they would be safe anywhere. But she looked at the others, and she didn’t think she could share this opinion, either.
Samuel’s expression was hard. He was irritated and annoyed by what was happening, she could tell, but most of all, he was worried and uneasy about what would happen now. When she looked at her mom, she saw Morganna had almost the exact look on her face that Samuel did, only there was an underlying determination that worried Camila.
The worst of them, was Brianna. She had been making big strides recently, but looking at her right then, it was like she had reverted to what she was like before she and Camila started getting really close and spending lots of time together. She sat alone at one edge of the couch, looking pitiful, yet at the same time as if she would rather be left alone. She was curled into herself, hugging her knees as she rocked lightly, a vacant look in her face.
Scariest of all, were her eyes. While her expression looked vacant, her eyes looked very alert, and very terrified. More than ever, Camila was sure whatever happened to Brianna that put her in the condition she met her in, definitely had something to do with Adrien.
Camila wasn’t sure she wanted to know what he could possibly have done to his own sister that she would refuse to talk for most of her life and still be terrified of him. Especially since Adrien would have been a teenager or young adult around that time, and Brianna must have been terribly young.
Something vibrated, catching all their attention, and Camila watched as Samuel released her and pulled his phone out of his pocket. His jaw tightened, before he looked at her and his expression softened just the slightest bit.
“I need to step outside, the police have more information they want to give me. You three just stay in here, all right? Go to the kitchen and ask if you want something to eat. I promise I won’t be long.”
Camila wanted to tell him not to go, but he pecked a kiss on her lips, then turned and strode back outside. She watched his back, her worry increasing tenfold the moment he was out of her sight. She wasn’t the only one Adrien would have a grudge against, after all. back then, when he went to attack her at her place, Samuel had been the one to stop him and get him arrested, and she doubted that would endear him to a brother he already didn’t like, or so that was the impression she got about the relationship between the two of them.
“Camila.”
She turned at the sound of her mom’s voice, and faced Morganna’s grim expression. Her mom glanced over at Brianna, before tugging her over to the side to just barely be out of sight. She had her purse hung over her shoulder, and she opened it, reaching inside for something.
“Camila,” her mom said, tone serious. “I want you to listen to me right now. Can you do that for your mother?”
Camila nodded immediately. She would do anything for her mom, of course, and especially since she was also in this because Camila made a wrong decision.
“I want you to take care of yourself. No matter what. Take this, and keep it with you. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to use it, all right? I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens.”
She was confused as to what her mom meant, but then her jaw dropped when her mom pulled a gun out from her purse.
“Mom!” she hissed quietly, looking around, as if worried the cops would run inside and see them with the gun. “I’m pretty sure you’re not licensed to carry!”
Morganna’s lips pressed flatly together. “You’re right, I’m not supposed to have this, but it’s for protection. I have my own knives with me, so I should be fine no matter what. If you won’t take the gun, at least take one of the knives. You can conceal it somewhere on you, please. If you don’t do this for me, I will feel uneasy.”
Camila didn’t see how carrying a weapon would help. Besides, she had no idea how to use a gun, she’d never used one before, not even in games. She held one not that long ago, and it wasn’t an experience she wanted to remember.
In the end, she chose to go with a concealed knife, and her mom helped her put it away so it wouldn’t be noticed. She wouldn’t say it, but in a way, having something to defend herself with did make her feel a little better, too.
Chapter Twelve
Time was moving, but no good news was forthcoming.
Camila knew it was probably too soon to start hoping the cops had caught Adrien already. After all, they got the news not that long ago, she could at least give them some time to do their work, but the problem was, the longer he stayed off their radar, the higher the chances that he could escape from their notice was.
What would happen… if he actually manages to come here?
She didn’t think Adrien would be so stupid. But she was majorly worried, because she doubted Adrien was thinking rationally at the moment. And a smart person thinking irrationally was the scariest thing she could think of at that moment.
So the longer they went without positive news from the police, the longer she worried. Even when night came, she didn’t think she could eat or sleep with all the nervous energy running inside her body. Her stomach was an uncomfortable mess, and her heart wasn’t any better, her whole body trembling with her nerves.
What will happen if he comes here? She didn’t want to think about it, but it wasn’t as if it was an impossible occurrence, either.
When Samuel came back and saw her pacing around her bedroom with her arms wrapped around her stomach, she had to admit to herself that she was terrified. So when he quickly closed the space between them and pulled her into his arms, she went willingly. Her stomach still continued to churn, though, even as she shut her eyes closed and pressed her face against his chest, it wasn’t enough to make the worry go away this time.
“I’m really sorry about this, love. I know how scared you are,” Samuel murmured, his voice quiet. “Please, sweetheart, try not to worry so much, all right? The police are doing their job, and I’m here. I will protect you, Camila, I swear. Don’t worry…” He held her face gently between his hands and gazing into her eyes, he kissed her.
He kept saying words to reassure her, and Camila let herself take in the words. She wasn’t sure she fully believed them, but her worrying did reduce somewhat. Breathing out, she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her in a passionate kiss.
Samuel’s hands went to her waist, and then gripped her ass, pulling her up and supporting her weight as their kiss deepened. He kicked the bedroom door closed, and pressed her back to it as Camila wrapped her legs around his waist.
Camila pulled back long enough to rip her shirt over her head and toss it aside before returning to kiss him more. Her fingers gripped his hair at the nape of his neck as he kissed her jaw and then found that spot on her neck that drove her wild. “I want you,” she whispered.
That was enough to get Samuel to press her closer to the door, and one handed he held her there as he unfastened her jeans. Camila dropped her legs long enough for him to shove her jeans and panties down and she kicked them the rest of the way off. As soon as they cleared her feet, he pulled her back up and she once again wrapped her legs around his hips.
“You’re wearing too much,” she complained as he found her mouth again.
&nb
sp; He chuckled deeply, and then pressed another rough kiss to her lips as he shed his own jeans. Leaning back, he allowed Camila to pull his shirt from him. Once it was off, he captured her lips again and he lifted her ass up just a bit hire before impaling her on his shaft.
Camila moaned into his mouth at the feel of him filling her. “Oh god…”
Samuel buried his face in her neck, breathing heavily. He gripped her hips and slid out to the tip, and then slammed home. “Come for me, sweetness,” he groaned huskily as he continued moving in and out of her. He slid a hand up her back and unhooked her bra, letting it fall between them. Quickly, he grabbed it and flung it out of the way as he captured her nipple in his mouth.
“Oh, god, Samuel!” Camila shattered in his arms.
Samuel slid in and out of her a few more times and then he too came. “Camila!” he roared, pressing into her and shuddering as he shot his load in her tightness.
They were both breathing hard, panting against one another and the door. Camila started to giggle. She kissed him and he grinned. She moved her legs from his hips, allowing him to spill out of her. “That was… awesome,” she whispered as he leaned down and kissed her again.
Samuel, still trying to catch his breath, nodded and pressed his forehead to hers. “Agreed,” he murmured huskily. “We should get you cleaned up.” He pulled back just a little, but didn’t take his hands from her waist.
Camila nodded. “Mom and Bri are downstairs I think, probably waiting on us.”
“I know.” He sighed. “You know you don’t have to worry so much, right? The police are doing everything they can to catch him.”
“I know,” Camila said softly and nodded.
“Come on, let’s head in there and clean up.” Samuel gestured to the bathroom.
Camila smiled and went with him, allowing him to gently wash her down with a damp cloth. When she was clean, she redressed in the same clothes she’d been wearing and then brushed her hair.
Together they left the bedroom and headed down the front stairs to the living room. They walked into the living room with his arm wrapped around her. Her mom and Brianna were still sitting where she’d left them earlier and seemed to be waiting. They didn’t look like they had moved at all. When Samuel saw them, he sighed. Camila glanced at his face and noticed just how tired he looked.
He’s been worrying over this since yesterday, she remembered. He probably needed that as much as I did, she thought, thinking of their intimate moment minutes earlier. Camila watched him and she suddenly realized that he probably hadn’t gotten any sleep because of her. Her sleep had been fitful, but he’d held her through it. He’d been right beside her and awake when she went to sleep and still awake when she woke up this morning.
The least she could do was help him stop worrying about her. In that moment, she determined to stop worrying. She hoped it would lighten his burden just a little. Standing on her toes, she kissed him.
Ten minutes later, her worry was back when they heard a commotion outside, and it was a lot louder than before. The mansion was huge, with thick walls and windows, so the fact that they could hear perfectly from inside, meant there was a racket going on outside.
Camila felt her heart squeeze when she heard a particular sound, turning wide-eyes to Samuel as her heart seized in her chest.
“Was that…” she started, her voice breathy, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Still, she was pretty sure she’d just heard a gunshot, and there were more following the first one.
Samuel had an alarmed expression as he pulled his phone out and made a quick call. He didn’t step away from Camila, just wrapped an arm around her and held her close. She moved closer so she could listen into the call.
“What’s happening out there?” Samuel asked briskly as soon as the call was picked up.
Camila could just faintly understand the other person, but she did hear what was going on outside.
“We have a bit of a situation on the outside.”
“Is Adrien there?”
“No, Mr. Kane, it’s not your brother, it’s several assailants. We’ve called for backup already, but it appears that it’s the group of convicts who escaped the prison at the same time your brother did.”
Samuel gritted his teeth, grinding them so hard Camila wondered if it hurt. She couldn’t even feel fear, knowing that there were people shooting it out with the police not too far from where they were. She just felt numb all over, and she couldn’t stop listening in.
“What happened?” Samuel asked, his voice a low growl.
“We do have some news on your brother’s escape. It appears that he paid a few people, including some guards, to help with the escape. He was the mastermind behind it all, and the people outside of your house are probably being paid by him as well. Please stay inside, our people will be handling this. Backup should be arriving soon.”
The call was hung up immediately after he finished speaking, but Camila didn’t really feel reassured.
How could she? A bunch of convicts Adrien had let out of prison were in a gunfight with the police just outside of the mansion. She didn’t realize it until Samuel took one of her hands in his and he turned to her with a look of concern, but her whole body was trembling, and it was very visible. She blinked up at him, but couldn’t seem to find any words to give him.
“It will be okay, sweetheart, the police are taking care of it,” Samuel murmured. “I am sorry for this. Everything should have ended when Adrien was arrested. He should have spent years in jail for all of this.” He looked down at her in concern. “He will spend the rest of his life in jail if I have any say about it.” He pulled her close and kissed her temple.
Camila, scared as she was, nodded. “I just want to be happy and be able to relax. This is just…” she let her words trail off, not even sure how to put into words everything she was feeling.
“I’m so sorry. I never would have expected Adrien would turn into this, a prison escapee. A fugitive running away from the law.” He sounded so confused and regretful. “If I had known, I swear, Camila, I would never have brought you into this house. I would have made sure he was taking his meds, I would have—”
Camila placed a finger over his lips and then kissed him. “I know,” she murmured. “This isn’t on you, Samuel, it’s on him.”
“I just don’t understand when did Adrien turn this way? How did I miss this?” Samuel shook his head. “I mean, surely there must have been something that led to all this, right? I just… my parents never said…” He frowned and set his chin on her head as he held her close.
“You couldn’t have known. You were gone for many years, and then your parents dying, you could only go by what you knew. This isn’t your fault.” Camila leaned back and looked him in the eyes. She was still terrified, but there wasn’t anything Samuel could have done differently and she didn’t want him thinking there was and blaming himself.
Camila glanced across the room at the windows. She wondered if Adrien was out there somewhere. Was he watching? Was he waiting out there somewhere for them to make a move? The walls were thick and the windows were secure, but they were all that was separating them from all the trouble outside. Thinking about it did nothing to lessen her fear.
So many ‘what if’ scenarios flashed through her mind. The worst of them involved someone dead, and a part of her couldn’t help thinking this was exactly what would happen.
Another gunshot rang out. The sound was plenty muffled, but it was an unmistakable explosion from a gun. She’d never heard one in real life, but she knew they were terrifying.
She wanted to move to a window or something, if only she could actually see what was going on, she wouldn’t be so afraid. Just standing there and wondering what was going on made her feel worse. Still, her body wouldn’t move a single inch, her mind trying to shut itself down so she wouldn’t have to deal with what was happening.
Suddenly there was the sound of shattering glass and they all dropped to the floor.
Chapter Thirteen
Camila wasn’t sure how much time had passed exactly, maybe two or three minutes, but when she came back to herself, she was seated on one of the seats, with Samuel beside her. When they’d heard the glass shatter, they’d all dropped to the carpet and Samuel had placed his body over hers. His phone had rung and he’d pulled it out to answer, but hadn’t moved from protecting her.
“What!” he’d demanded.
Camila hadn’t been able to hear what was said from the person on the other end, but she hadn’t cared. She’d stayed put.
“Bri, Morganna, are you okay?” he’d called.
“We’re good,” her mother had called from the other side of the couch.
“We’re good,” he’d said into the phone. “Yeah, we’ll move further into the house.”
When he’d closed his phone, he’d helped her up and the four of them had moved to the smaller parlor deeper in the house, away from the gun fire.
Now, Samuel sat with her on the small loveseat with his arm around her shoulders and his other hand clutching tightly onto his phone. It vibrated and he anxiously read the message.
His expression got grimmer with every message.
Camila was even more terrified after what had happened so far. She had no idea what they could possibly do to get out of this situation besides wait, but at least her thoughts could function normally again. She wasn’t sure about her body, though. Even sitting down, her heart and her legs both trembled, and she feared that if Samuel didn’t hold onto her, she would really fall apart.
In the current situation, that would be a bad thing.
Taking a breath, Camila glanced at the phone in Samuel’s hand. She had to know what was going on. This waiting was going to drive her insane. “What’s going on, Samuel?” she asked softly. She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “What are they saying?”
Tangled Obsession: Book 2 of the Obsession Trilogy Page 7