Page 121 of Blades of Obsession

“Because itisa pretty little head. The prettiest little head I’ve ever seen in my life.”

She laughs, the sound fills the air, and I watch as the tension visibly melts off her shoulders. Her whole demeanor softens, her eyes sparkling, which makes my own smile grow wide.

“This is a world-famous show.” I remind her. “They wouldn’t have your designs here if they weren’t out of this world. Trust me.” She nods, and I press a kiss to her forehead. “I gotta go change, I’ll be right back.”

I weave through the crowd of people running around like a chicken with their heads cut off and finally reach the hallway. This place is packed, I don’t see how they get everything done with so much disorganization. I hate disorganization. The show starts in thirty minutes and it doesn’t even look like the stage is fully set up yet.

I turn a corner, heading towards the dressing room where I kept my suit stashed. Amelia made her own dress that goes along with the theme of the show, Garden of Eden—she looks amazing in it by the way—and I spent a long time trying to find a suit that matches her dress.

I found this show because I signed up for newsletters from some of the fashion brands she talks about sometimes. When they sent out a campaign for their yearly fashion show and announced the theme, I knew her designs had to be in it. It’s perfect for her, a lot of her work is already centered around nature.

As I round the final corner, I nearly collide with a man in a sleek, tailored suit. I’m about to be annoyed about it, but his distinctive salt-and-pepper beard makes me recognize him. The executive who I made a deal with, the one meeting with Amelia after the show.

“Blade, right?” His voice is smooth but with an edge of something else—something unsettling. If he’s canceling our deal, I’ll kill him right here. Maybe notright here, but somewhere around here. There are plenty of open trails in this area.

“Yeah?”

He extends a hand, which I shake briefly. “Nice to see you again.”

“You too. I’ve got to get dressed, show in less than thirty minutes.” I try to move past him, but he blocks me.

“I overheard your conversation with your girlfriend,” he says, narrowing his eyes.

“Wife, actually.” I narrow mine right back. Does he think he’s supposed to be intimidating me or something?

He hums. “You didn’t tell her that she’s only getting the opportunities she is because you’re paying for them.”

I tense, my muscles coiling like a spring. “So?” A smirk makes its way across his face. My jaw tightens, and I feel a surge of anger. “What’s your point?” I don’t like the way he said that or what he’s insinuating.

“My point is…” He leans in closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. “An extra million dollars or I tell her everything. In fact, I won’t even go through with the deal.”

Executives are so fucking greedy, and for what? They already make millions a year, does he need to go to the extent of extortion to buy his third private jet?

I stare at him, fists clenched at my side. I want to fucking deck him in the face, but that’ll only ruin everything.

“I see you’re considering it,” he taunts with a smug smile. “You’ve got ‘til the end of the show to decide. That’s when the deal gets fully signed for.”

Amelia would never forgive me if some beefy executive came up to her telling her I lied. And she would be self-conscious about her designs for the rest of her life, thinking they’re not good enough to pass without being paid off.

“I don’t need until then, I’ll do it.” I step closer, a cold glare on my face. “But if youevertry to extort money out of me again, I will kill—”

“Aiden?” Amelia’s voice fills the hallway.

“Oh, hey angel.” I spin around, my expression softening.

“I came looking for you. I thought you were going to get dressed.” Amelia looks between us, furrowing her brows. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, we were just talking business. I’m excited to meet with you after the show, Amelia.” The executive shakes her hand and I glare at their point of contact until he lets go and walks off. I fucking hate when other men say her name, then he has the nerve to touch her too.

“Aunt Sheila?” Amelia’s voice cuts through my thoughts of all the ways I could kill the prick as she spots a woman walking down the hall.

The woman looks up, and she closes the distance between them. “Amelia! It’s been so long!” They embrace each other fora brief moment before Amelia pulls back, still holding her aunt’s hands.

“What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you in at least five years. I thought you lived in California.”

“I’m here with your mom. We recently reconnected, and she told me about everything that’s been going on.”

Amelia’s jaw drops. “My mom is here?”

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