Sinister Obsession

By Lisa Perkins

After going through the worst summer of her life, Marissa Leone has become the object of a stalker's affections. It's hard for her to avoid him when he lives in their neighborhood and knows her every move. Convinced she returns his feelings, he begins making plans for their future together. He won't let anyone stand in the way of getting what he wants…not even her husband, Marcus. No matter how hard she tries, there's no way of escaping him. How far will he go to get what he wants? What will they do when a dark obsession turns dangerous?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Perkins
• Release date: Mar 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224817276

Lisa Perkins

Lisa was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She loved to read teenage romance novels growing up. She was blessed with a vivid imagination and the ability to tell stories in great detail. When she got older, her hobby became photography. She loved taking pictures and capturing moments in time forever. Storytelling, in one form or another, has always been her wheelhouse. As a teenager, she created a world with characters that she loved dearly. She abandoned that world as an adult and moved on to other things. One day, she revisited that world and those characters. She decided to take the story and make it into a book. Having never written a book before, she wasn't sure how it would go. The second she sat down to write, the story just poured out of her. That one book turned into two, and a series was born. She always had a love of dance and took dance lessons as a child. Her love of dance is what inspired her books and how The Dancer Series was created.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Marcus

SUMMER IS SLOWLY STARTING to fade away and autumn is just around the corner. It’s nearing the end of August, but the weather suggests it’s still mid July. I always hate to see the summer come to an end, but this summer is one I won’t miss. We were plagued by a serial killer, who turned out to be the police chief, for most of the summer. As a result, Natalie lost her life and our family has been in mourning for nearly a month now.

Marissa and I were scheduled to start a tour in the fall, but it was canceled until next fall. After the great loss we suffered, neither of us feel like going out on the road to perform. We’ve even decided to take a break from performing for a while. After everything we’ve been through, we need some time to recover. We’re also very concerned about Hunter. He’s not doing well after losing Natalie, and we need to keep an eye on him.

Hunter was always a happy-go-lucky person who didn’t take life too seriously. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He and Natalie were soulmates, and losing her has really taken a toll on him. He’s lost his passion for life and we’re all concerned about him.

He’s been toying with the idea of selling his house and moving into something smaller. Being all alone in that big house he and Natalie shared is just too much for him. Marissa is hoping he’ll be able to stay in Woodland Estates, which is the neighborhood we live in. We’ve all lived in the neighborhood for years, and she doesn’t want him to move out of the area.

Today, he has an appointment to view a one-story house in the neighborhood and he asked me to come along with him. Marissa is helping Cassidy in the boutique for a while today, so I’m honored he asked me to join him. As I’m pulling into his driveway to pick him up, I take a look around the property. It looks so different with Natalie gone...so lonely.

He walks out the front door and slowly heads to my car. I can see the pain in his face as he comes toward me and my heart breaks for him. I’d be in the same condition he’s in if I lost Marissa. He gives me a smile as he opens the passenger side door and gets in the car, fastening his seat belt.

Hey, Hunter. How are you doing?

I’m good. How are you? he asks, trying to sound cheerful.

I’m doing well. Are you ready to go take a look at the house?

Sure. He lets out a sigh as I slowly pull out of the driveway.

He’s quiet for a moment, looking around at his surroundings. Is Marissa at the boutique?

Yeah. She’s helping Cassidy get things set up. She’ll probably be there for most of the afternoon.

I’m glad Cassidy’s taking over the boutique. I know that’s what Nat would have wanted. She’ll do a good job of running it, and I’m happy she’s keeping the name as it is. I know the grief and sadness in his  voice all too well.

She says it will always be Natalie’s boutique, she’s just running it for her now.

A weak smile spreads across his face as he stares straight ahead at the road. Indeed, it will.

We pull up in front of a single-story brick house a little ways down the street from our house. A red Toyota Prius sits in the driveway, and I assume it belongs to the realtor. Slowly, I pull into the driveway behind the car. Hunter takes a quick scan of the property through the windshield as I turn off the car.

This is a very nice looking house, and the front yard looks like it’s been well maintained.

It does look well maintained. I guess we should go inside and check it out. He removes the seat belt and opens the car door.

I grab the keys from the switch and get out of the car. It looks like the realtor has been waiting for us. She just opened the front door.

He gets out of the car and closes the door. We might as well get this over with.

Slowly, we make our way up the driveway and across the walk path to the front door. The house has a nice front porch...the perfect place for him to spend a quiet summer evening. He looks around the front yard as we step up onto the porch. The realtor opens the door and steps outside to greet us.

"Hello, gentlemen. I’m Claire, a realtor with

Homefinder Realty. I’ll be showing you the house today." She gives us a warm, inviting smile.

He returns her smile as he makes eye contact with her. Hi, Claire. I’m Hunter McArthur, and this is my son-in-law, Marcus Leone.

I know exactly who you both are, and it’s very nice to meet you. I have to admit, I’ve never shown a house to famous people before and I’m a little nervous.

There’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re just people...right, Marcus? He looks at me and smiles.

Absolutely. I give him a nod and smile.

Well, let’s go inside so you can take a look around.

She walks over and opens the door for us and we step into the small entryway. He wanders over to the front window and takes a look out at the view. The place is small compared to the house he’s living in, but it could work for him. He moves away from the window, and the realtor leads us into the living room. It’s cozy and spacious, but nothing like the grandeur of his current living room.

The living room is small and I have a lot of furniture. I’m not sure if this would work for me. What do you think, Marcus?

If you really like it, I think we can make it work for you, Hunter. Let’s wait and see the rest of the house before you make a decision.

Okay. I’ll keep an open mind. He nods as he walks across the room.

Somehow, I think this house isn’t what he had in mind. In fact, I’m not sure any house will measure up to his home. It’s special because he has years of memories with Natalie there, and I don’t think he’ll be able to walk away from it.

The realtor slowly leads us through the house, room by room. Hunter doesn’t seem very impressed with it, but it feels comfortable and homey to me. I could see him living here, and he would be a little closer to our house than he is now. That would make it easier for us to keep an eye on him and make sure he’s okay. It seems like the perfect house for a man  living alone.

We stop in the kitchen and he wanders over to the small island in the middle of the floor. Again, it’s much smaller than his house, but he no longer needs a big home. This house would be a fresh start for him. He needs that in order to move on with his life. His current home is filled with memories of Natalie, and they’re too painful for him to bear.

The realtor watches him inspect the kitchen. What do you think, Mr. McArthur?

It’s Hunter...call me Hunter. It’s a very nice house, Claire. I’m just not sure if it’s for me.

Why don’t we take a look at the back yard, Hunter. I think it’s the perfect size for you, and it has a very nice patio. She leads us to the back door and out onto a beautiful patio.

Wow...this is very nice, Hunter. I really like the yard. It kind of reminds me of the back yard at my childhood home in Chicago.

"I agree with you, Marcus. It is a very nice yard, and I do like the patio. The location is great, as well. I’d be closer to you and Marissa. I just need to think about it for a bit. Is that okay, Claire?"

She looks up at him with a smile on her face. Absolutely. I completely understand. Would you be living here alone?

Yes...yes, I would. My wife passed away about a month ago. She was a victim of the serial killer, and I can’t stand living in that big house of ours alone. A sad look spreads across his face as he speaks of her.

I heard about that and I’m terribly sorry for your loss. I don’t blame you for wanting to move. It has to be hard living there alone.

Thank you. It’s very hard. I just need to think it over and determine if this is the house for me.

Absolutely. Take all the time you need. The house has been on the market for a while now. Most people looking for homes in this neighborhood want the bigger estates. So a smaller home like this doesn’t sell very quickly, even though it’s still fancy.

I would definitely be downsizing. I’d have to get rid of most of my furniture. It’s something I need to give a lot of thought. The house is very nice, aside from being small. He takes another look around the yard and patio before we head inside.

Once we’re back in the kitchen, Claire reaches into her purse and pulls out a business card. Here’s my card. Take all the time you need to think it over. And if you need to see the house again, don't hesitate to call me. She hands him the card and he takes it from her.

I appreciate it. Thank you for everything. We won’t take up any more of your time today. I’ll be in touch. He slips the card in his pocket as she leads us through the house to the front door.

I look forward to hearing from you. You gentlemen have a wonderful day.

Thank you. You do the same, I say with a smile as we walk out the door and head for the car.

As I’m backing out of the driveway, he looks out the passenger side window at the property. I’m unable to read what he’s thinking. He must have mixed emotions about selling his house and buying a new place. I don’t think I could let our house go if anything happened to Marissa. It’s something I hope I never have to think about.

I drive away from the house and start heading down the street to his house. So, what did you think of the house, Hunter?

He turns away from the window to look at me. It was okay, I guess. I’m just not sure what I want to do about selling my house. I need to give it a lot of thought before I make a decision.

It’s definitely not something to be taken lightly. Take as long as you need to think it over. You have to do what’s best for you. I glance at him as I’m driving and I can see the pain and sorrow in his eyes. He’s not the same man he was a month ago. Losing Natalie has changed him.

Would you like to go get a coffee? I ask as we approach his house.

Thanks for the offer, but I have some things to do at home. Can we do it another time?

I slowly turn into the driveway and pull around to the front door. Of course. We’re grilling out this evening for dinner. Why don’t you come over and have dinner with us? We’re having steaks, and I know Marissa would love to have you.

Uh...sure. That sounds great. He removes his seat belt and opens the car door to get out. 

Great. Dinner is at six, but you can come around five.

Okay. I’ll be there around five. See you then. He gets out of the car and walks up to the front door.

I watch as he unlocks the door then waves to me before going inside. Slowly, I drive down the driveway and pull out onto the street. I wonder how he can stay in that big house alone without Natalie. One thing’s for sure, losing her broke him in a way that he’ll never be able to recover.

Chapter 2

Marissa

I walk out of the stockroom with my arms full of shirts. The boutique will be reopening in about a week with Cassidy as the new owner, and I’m helping her set it up. Being in the shop is difficult for me. I can still see the blood on the floor and remember the horrible scent in the air when I was here the day of Mom’s funeral. But I promised Cassidy I’d help her get the shop ready for reopening, and that’s what I intend to do.

It’s so strange being in the boutique without Mom being here. I can see her running around, juggling several things at once with a smile on her face. She loved her work and enjoyed working hard. I can almost hear her voice in the room as I lay the shirts down on the table.

As I’m reaching for the box of hangers, I glance out the front window. It’s a beautiful day. The rays of sunlight streaming through the boutique light up the room. Just from looking around the shop, you couldn’t tell it was once a gruesome crime scene. But the sights and smells of that horrible scene will be in my mind forever.

Cassidy suddenly walks into the room with a box of hangers in each hand. I really appreciate your help with getting the shop ready to reopen, Riss. I couldn’t do it without you.

It’s my pleasure. It gives me something to do while we’re on hiatus from performing.

She sets the boxes of hangers down on the floor and starts helping me hang the shirts. I know it must be hard for you being in the boutique. Daddy told me you were here the day of the funeral and saw the crime scene before it was all cleaned up.

I felt like I needed to see it for some reason. Maybe a part of me wanted to experience what she went through. It’s definitely something I won’t soon forget. I pick up a shirt and hang it on a hanger, then place it on the clothing rack.

I can understand why you felt the need to see it, but I wouldn’t have wanted to see it myself. I couldn’t have accepted the shop if I would’ve seen it as a crime scene. It would’ve been too hard to work here every day.

I’m glad you didn’t see it that way. It was very gruesome. I shudder at the thought.

I miss Grandma so much. I learned a lot about being a fashion designer from her. She loved this boutique and her work. I hope I can do a good job of running it. I wouldn’t want to let her down.

I tilt my head at her and smile. You could never let her down, Cass. I know she’d be happy you’re taking the boutique over and running it for her the way she ran it. I’m really glad you’re keeping the name the same, by the way.

There’s no way I could ever change the name. It’ll always be her shop, and the name will always be Natalie M, she says in a firm voice.

I smile and nod as I’m hanging a shirt on the rack. All of a sudden, I’m reminded of the blood spattered clothing hanging from the racks in the area where Mom was stabbed. We left it all for the crime scene cleanup crew to dispose of. I need to put it out of my mind and focus on Cassidy’s reopening.

Be sure to hire a manager for the shop. You don’t want to work yourself to death running the boutique and designing your clothing line. Mom would still be here if she would’ve hired a manager.

She hangs a handful of shirts on the rack. I put an ad online today for a full time manager. I just wish Grandma would’ve done the same. I agree with you...I think she’d still be here if she would’ve hired a manager.

As we’re hanging shirts on the rack, a man with flowers in his hand walks up to the memorial outside the door and stops to admire it. He looks familiar to me, but I can’t place him at the moment. He lays the flowers down next to the others and looks around at the other gifts people have left in honor of Mom.

Cassidy notices that something outside has caught my attention and looks to see what it is. I think it’s nice that people are leaving flowers and gifts outside the boutique in honor of Grandma.

Yes, it’s very nice. Mom was loved by many.

Her eyes are locked on the man outside the window. Her designs are well known throughout the country, and she was famous in her own right. I hope my designs achieve that kind of fame.

I have no doubt they will. You’re a very talented designer, Cass. I hang one more shirt on the rack and take another look at the man outside. He looks so familiar to me.

She’s keeping an eye on him, as well. That guy outside keeps looking through the window at us. It’s starting to creep me out.

He looks so familiar to me, but I can’t seem to place him. I wonder what he’s up to.

Maybe we should go find out. I won’t tolerate strange people hanging around outside the shop, especially after what happened with the serial killer.

All of a sudden, a lightbulb goes on in my head. Now I remember him. He’s the guy we caught climbing our fence to see into the back yard. We thought he might be the serial killer at the time. I wonder why he brought flowers for Mom’s memorial. It’s very strange.

I hang another shirt on the rack and glance out at him. I just remembered where I’ve seen him before. He’s the guy who was climbing our fence to see into the back yard and we thought he might be the serial killer.

That’s him? I wonder what he’s up to. Why would he bring flowers to Grandma’s memorial?

He walks over to the door of the shop and waves to us through the window. I think we’re about to find out.

I walk over and unlock the door, then slowly swing it open. Cassidy joins me with her arms folded. A smile spreads across his face as he looks at us.

I look him straight in the eye, letting him know I won’t be intimidated. Is there something we can help you with?

I just wanted to bring some flowers by for the beautiful memorial. I stare at him, ignoring his comment about the flowers.

His eyes move down to the ground then back up to me. Judging by the look on your face, I think it’s safe to say you remember me.

I give him a suspicious look, maintaining eye contact with him. I certainly do. So, what are you doing here?

I’m paying my respects to your mom. She was a very kind lady. I shopped at Natalie M several times in the past, looking for birthday and Christmas gifts for my mother. I had no idea what to get her, but Natalie recommended things to me and she absolutely loved them. I was very grateful for her assistance.

I arch my brow with a doubtful look on my face. I just can’t picture him shopping here. She enjoyed helping her customers in any way she could.

He takes a look inside the shop through the open door. It looks like you’re keeping the boutique open. I was hoping you would. Are you going to run it, Marissa?

My eyes move to Cassidy, then back to him. We gave the boutique to my daughter, Cassidy. She’s a fashion designer, and I know my mom would have wanted her to take it over and run it as she did.

He looks at her and smiles. You must be Cassidy.

She looks at him and nods. Yes. I’m going to go hang the rest of the shirts on the rack, Riss.

She turns and walks away from the door. Okay, Cass. I’ll be there to help you in a bit.

He stares at me with a slight smile on his face. Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot before...

I fold my arms with a serious look on my face. I’d say getting caught climbing our ten foot privacy fence to peer into our back yard will definitely get you off on the wrong foot.

I’m really sorry about that. As I said before, I had just moved into Woodland Estates and heard from my neighbor that you guys lived there, too. Being a fan, I just had to come by and see your place. It was stupid and I promise I’ll never do it again.

I would hope not.

Look...we’re sort of neighbors and we should get to know one another. Why don’t we start over? I’m Evan Fisher. It’s very nice to meet you, Marissa. He