Page 40 of Edging Obsession

“Oh my, you must have missed each other.”

He smiles at her. “We did.”

“Didn’t you visit him?”

She’s fishing.

“My family needs me here.”

“Have you been to one of his concerts?”

“No.” Again, he looks at me. “But I hope to while he’s touring Europe. Miles has been playing drums since he was nine, so I already know he’s talented.”

Elise returns to her soup, and Johann and I sigh, picking our spoons back up. This time, Elliott asks a question.

“Just curious.”

He can stick his curiosity up his ass. Elliott is so protective of Jules that he’s in my business all the time and fighting me about her. I’ve taken care of Jules and helped them. Fuck, I could kick myself for inviting them here.

Johann nods to Elliott to go on while his eyes flit to me and back to Elliott. “Why did Miles leave Germany?”

Johann places his spoon down, pats his mouth with his napkin, and steeples his fingers. “Why don’t you ask him?”

I toss my napkin on the table and sit back in my chair. “Yeah, Elliott, why don’t you ask me?”

From the way I’m sitting, and how my lips are pressed together, Jules knows I’m pissed. “Daddy, it’s none of our business.”

Elliott acts innocent, even though he wants answers. “What? I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

My eyes bore into him as I say, “As I said before, it was a private matter.”

Elliott places his utensil down and wipes his mouth, placing his forearms on the table to stare back at me. “Since you’re with my daughter, and you say you love her, why not confide in us? We’re in Germany, so your privacy is protected.”

Jules places a hand on my arm to show solidarity. “Dad—”

He holds his hand up. “Now hold on, Jules. I’m not asking anything out of the ordinary. It’s a normal question anyone would ask.”

Jules’ eyes meet mine. Her face is taut from anxiety, so I answer to appease her, keeping my eyes on her. “Because my wife and child died in a car accident.” They gasp at my response, and Jules’ eyes grow large as she swallows. “I was driving. A car smashed into the passenger door, killing my eight-month pregnant wife and child.” My head shifts slowly to Elliott. “Does that answer your question?”

Elliott clears his throat. “I’m sorry for your loss.” He pauses and adds, “I can’t imagine…”

The butler comes into the room to remove the bowls. Elise whispers a reprimand at Elliott. He’s whispering, arguing with her about the question. She feels he pushed too far, and he feels he hasn’t pushed far enough. My love for Jules. The lifestyle. The money. Elliott has an issue with all of it.

While the butler comes in with salads, Elliott asks, “So, you left because of your pain and guilt?”

Both Elise and Jules yell at him to be quiet, but he ignores them.

Through gritted teeth, I ask, “What the fuck is your problem, Elliott?” Jules rushes to take my hand, but I shake it away. “You don’t like the fact Jules and I fell in love so fast? You don’t like my lifestyle or money?” She’s rocking next to me murmuringno, no, please. “Your interrogation upsets Jules and is pissing me off.”

Elise tries to stop Elliott as he presses a hand to his chest. “I’m upsetting her?” He stands up and smacks the table, causing our dishes to clatter, pointing at Jules. “I’m trying to protect her! She’s my daughter. I’m sorry for the loss of your child. If or when you have children, you’ll understand the lengths a father will go to protect them.”

I tower over the table and shout, “She’s not your real daughter!”

The room goes silent, except for Jules crying next to me. Elise kneels by her, taking her hand in hers, telling her everything will be fine.

Elliott comes over and jabs his finger into my chest. “Don’t you ever fucking tell me she’s not myrealdaughter. We might be here to check to see if our biological daughter has been taken care of, but Jules…” He chokes up, gulps to stop the tears, and continues, “Jules will always be our daughter.”

I gotta hand it to him. I’m six inches taller and have ten times more muscle mass than him. The guy does love his daughter. No matter how much he pisses me off, I understand his love for Jules. Because I love her in a different way. I’ve never felt this kind of love before, not even for my wife, and the guilt is still there. Elliott will do anything for Jules, and I must respect that. Make amends.

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