Obsessed

Chapter 23

Mark stirred slightly, the warmth of soft sheets and the scent of vanilla and amber lingering in the air around him. The comforting aroma was wrapped around him like a second blanket, and for a moment, he forgot everything—forgot about the killer, the photos, the fear etched into Ronnie’s face.

The smell of bacon and eggs tugged at his senses next, grounding him back into the moment. His eyes cracked open slowly, the room quiet and dimly lit with the soft glow of morning sunlight seeping through the blinds. He blinked, looking around in confusion at first until he realized where he was—Ronnie's bedroom.

Her side of the bed was empty. Neatly made. He noticed the faint imprint of where Theo had slept between them, the little boy's spot now vacant and rumpled. Mark ran a hand down his face, slowly pushing himself up to sit.

He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this rested. His body felt relaxed, the kind of weightless feeling that came only from true rest, something he hadn't known in years. He couldn’t tell if it was Ronnie’s bed or just being close to her…or maybe it was the scent that clung to her sheets and pillows. Soft. Feminine. Warm.

Mark stood, slipping his feet back into his boots, he made his way downstairs. He passed the closed office door, the framed pictures in the hallway, and the scent of breakfast grew stronger with every step.

From the living room, a burst of laughter erupted.

Mark turned the corner to see Theo jumping on the couch, mimicking some cartoon character's exaggerated gestures. His small hands flailed wildly in the air as he bounced, the screen in front of him flashing with colorful animations.

Before Mark could say anything, Theo turned—and lit up.

"You're awake!" the boy shouted gleefully.

Before Mark could brace himself, Theo launched off the couch like a missile. Years of muscle memory kicked in—Mark caught him midair without even thinking, his strong arms wrapping securely around the kid as he laughed and wrapped his arms around Mark’s neck in a tight hug.

“Woah, hey there, bud,” Mark said with a chuckle, staggering slightly under the unexpected enthusiasm.

“I told Ronnie you were gonna sleep forever!” Theo giggled.

Mark smiled, heart warming.

From the dining area, Ronnie’s voice drifted in. “Theo, come sit and eat so you can get ready for school.”

She emerged with two plates in her hands, and for a moment, Mark forgot how to function.

She was still in her pink silk nightgown, the lace trim resting delicately along the tops of her breasts and her thighs. A black cardigan clung to her shoulders, sleeves pushed up just past her elbows. Her platinum hair was tied back loosely, a few strands falling around her face. Her bare legs moved silently over the floor, and she walked with such ease, so naturally, that it caught Mark off guard.

Beautiful. Effortlessly beautiful.

She didn’t seem to notice the effect she had on him as she placed the plates down—bacon, eggs, and two perfect golden pancakes for Theo.

Mark set Theo down gently, who immediately grabbed his hand and tugged. “Come eat with us!”

Mark allowed himself to be led to the table, amused by Theo’s strength and excitement. He sat next to the boy, noticing how much care had gone into the food. A second later, Ronnie returned and placed two more plates in front of him—one with bacon and eggs, the other stacked with four pancakes, perfectly round and golden.

He looked up at her and smiled softly. “Thanks, Ronnie.”

She returned the smile and went back to the kitchen, returning with her own smaller plate. She sat down across from Theo, taking a sip of her coffee before picking up her fork.

Mark watched her for a second longer than necessary before focusing on his plate.

As they ate, the morning unfolded with a calmness he rarely experienced. Sunlight bathed the dining area, the faint hum of the dishwasher providing white noise. It felt... normal. Like a moment stolen from someone else's peaceful life.

Then Theo broke the silence—mouth full of pancake, syrup on his chin.

“I wanted to wake you up earlier, but Ronnie said you looked cute while you slept and told me to leave you alone.”

Mark blinked mid-bite.

Ronnie’s eyes widened in slow horror. “Theo.”

Theo grinned innocently.

Ronnie let out a sharp sigh and kicked him lightly under the table.

“Ow!” Theo whined, rubbing his leg. “See? She did that too when I said she likes your beard!”

Mark coughed into his eggs, covering a laugh. Ronnie’s cheeks burned a deep red, and she looked anywhere but at him.

“Kids say the darndest things, huh?” she muttered under her breath, picking at her bacon.

Theo nodded enthusiastically, totally unaware of the awkward tension he’d stirred.

Mark chuckled, heart thumping, as he looked across the table at Ronnie—flustered, red-cheeked, and refusing to meet his eyes. Fidgeting with her sleeves.

He didn’t mind the teasing. In fact, he liked it. The softness of this morning, the laughter, the quiet comfort—it was the first time in a long time that something had felt like… home.

Mark leaned back in the chair, sipping coffee Ronnie had handed him. The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting golden rays across the table. Theo was finishing the last few bites of his pancakes, humming contentedly.

Ronnie walked over with a damp washcloth and wiped syrup off Theo’s chin. “Go brush your teeth, get dressed and get your backpack. We leave in fifteen.”

Theo jumped up, gave Mark a high five, and darted off toward the bathroom, his footsteps thudding lightly against the floor.

Mark watched him disappear, then turned his eyes to Ronnie. She was stacking plates absentmindedly, but her jaw was tight, and her eyes didn’t meet his.

“Did you sleep okay?” he asked gently.

She gave a short nod, still not looking up. “Better than expected.”

Mark stood, stepping closer to her. “But?”

Ronnie’s shoulders tensed slightly. “I just keep thinking about those pictures. How close he was. Inside my home. Watching me.”

“I know,” he said, placing a hand on her arm. “But you’re not alone. We’re going to catch this guy.”

She finally looked up at him, ice-blue eyes flickering with unease. “What if we don’t, Mark? What if I can’t keep Theo safe?”

Mark’s jaw clenched. “Then I will. No matter what.”

Ronnie didn’t answer right away. Then she leaned her forehead against his chest for a second—just a second—before pulling back.

“I have to take him to school,” she said softly. “Then I’ll head to the station.”

“We'll take my truck,” Mark said. “But I’ll give you space to drop him off.”

About thirty minutes later, Ronnie stood outside Theo’s school watching him walk through the main doors with his backpack bouncing behind him. She gave him a tight smile and a small wave. Theo grinned and waved back before disappearing inside.

Mark waited by his truck a few feet away, giving her space like he promised. She turned toward him, her expression conflicted.

“I hate leaving him,” she muttered as she climbed into the passenger seat.

“I know,” Mark said, starting the engine. “But he’s got a routine, and that’s important. And I’ve got two uniforms posted outside the school. Nothing’s getting near him.”

Ronnie blinked in surprise. “You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to,” he cut in. “And don’t argue. It’s done.”

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the soft hum of the radio filling the space. Ronnie finally broke it. “Thank you… for everything. I mean it.”

Mark gave her a sideways glance. “You don’t have to thank me for doing what’s right. Or for caring.”

That quieted her for the rest of the drive.

At the station, Jackson was already at his desk, files spread out and a coffee halfway gone.

“Morning, sunshine,” he greeted Ronnie.

Ronnie gave him a tight smile. “Something like that.”

“You got a minute?” Mark asked Ronnie.

She nodded and followed him into one of the conference rooms where the photos from the box had been laid out again, this time sealed in evidence sleeves.

Mark pointed to a few in particular—the ones from inside her house. “These are high-res. Which means the guy wasn’t using a phone. Probably a DSLR or something with good range and low-light capture.”

Ronnie stared at them, arms folded tightly. “How did he get in without tripping anything?”

“I don’t know yet. But we’ll go over your security setup today. Jackson’s bringing in a tech specialist.”

She sat down slowly, eyes still on the photographs. “He watched me shower…” she whispered.

Mark crouched next to her chair, not touching her, but close. “He’s not going to get another chance. We’re tightening everything. You’re protected now.”

Ronnie looked at him. “I don’t want Theo going back to the house.”

“He doesn’t have to,” Mark agreed. “Not until we’re 100% sure it’s secure.”

Jackson poked his head in. “You two might want to see this. We pulled prints off the tape.”

Ronnie stood instantly. “Whose?”

Jackson grinned. “Bingo. They matched a partial to Elise Smith. But there’s another one—hard to pull off though they tried to clean it off.”

Ronnie’s heart skipped. “Then it’s the second person. Hid master.”

Mark’s expression turned grim. “We’ve got a trail now. Let’s follow it.”