Page 13 of Blades of Obsession

“Well, yes and no.”

“What does that mean?” I walk out of the bathroom and sit on my bed, grabbing some chocolate from my bedside stash. I need it after tonight.

“He said he likes me. But he doesn’t know if he can be with me. He has to ask permission from Blade because all the work he does for him keeps him busy. The first hot guy interested in me since I stepped foot on campus, and it may be ruined.” She throws her hands in the air. Well, one hand since she’s holding a bag of chips in the other.

“What work does he do for him if they’re both in college still?” My muscles have been stiff ever since she mentioned Blade’s name.

“They’re like in a gang or something.” She shrugs, seeming completely unphased as if she didn’t just casually drop a bomb on me.

“What?!” I yell, my eyes widening. “Why would you want to be with someone who’s in a gang?”

“Well, Rhett doesn’t do any of the bad stuff. He’s more like… an assistant, as he explained it.”

“I see.” Even though,no, I don’t see because my heart is racing out of my chest. “And Blade, that you, um—” I gulp. “—mentioned. He does the bad stuff?”

“Well, duh. That’s who Rhett is an assistant to. Catch up, chick.” She rolls her eyes. “I heard he’s like, powerful. And he’s hot too. Maybe I should use Rhett to get to him instead.”

I didn’t want to have to call my dad for help, especially only two months into the school year. I wanted to prove tomyself that I could handle things on my own, but I think I’m way in over my head with this one. A gang?!

“Hey, we’re out of sugar. I need to go down the hall and ask Susie for some,” I rush out.

“Susie?”

“Or Savannah, whatever her name is!”

I hurry to grab my phone, throw on some slippers, and walk into the hall. “C’mon, pick up dad please,” I whisper to myself, pacing back and forth.

“Hello?”

“Dad! Sorry it’s late, but remember when you said if a guy bothered me on campus, I should come to you immediately? Well, it happened tonight. And dad… I think he’s some kind of criminal.” My chest heaves with each word I force out.

There’s a long pause on the phone.

“Come back home tomorrow afternoon. Skip your classes if you have to.” His voice is full of worry, which makes me shed a tear as soon as I hang up.

I’m screwed.

Chapter 6

BLADE

She’s finally mine. The word echoes in my head, in sync with the thrum of my heartbeat. I’m no better than those seagulls fromFinding Nemo.

Mine.

Mine.

Mine.

Every damn inch of her, every curve, every part of her body—I own it. She’s mine. Nobody else’s. Just mine.

I sound like a broken record player on repeat, but the thing is, I don’t fucking care.

She’s mine.

Last night…fuck. The best night of my life. And I wasn’t kidding about finally sleeping a happy man, I think this is the first time I’ve woken up actually refreshed. No nightmares. No sleep paralysis. Just a simple calm that followed me around all morning.

And then, I ruined it by coming to Harvey’s office.

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