Page 135 of Blades of Obsession

I lean in closer. “Funny, because the politician showed me records and proof. Transfers to an account in your name, opened with your ID. Specific dates, even video footage of you at the bank withdrawing large amounts. Amounts that exceed your yearly income.”

Having connections to politicians and DAs comes in handy a time or two.

His confidence wavers as the weight of my words hit him. “This—this is a setup. Why are you doing this? I’m not going to prison!” His voice cracks, eyes darting around frantically.

“To keep you as far away from my wife as possible. Especially after that disgusting fucking video you sent me.”

That video landing in my inbox along with Julie’s contract was like some sick joke from the universe. I didn’t look at it for a while, until I was searching for something old Asher sent and stumbled upon it again.

Imagine my surprise when I opened a video of him having sex with multiple girls. But that’s not the bad part, the bad part is they all looked like Amelia. Identical. Some even had pink hair bows and wavy blonde hair that matched hers perfectly. Like hepurposefully dressed them up to pretend they were someone he couldn’t have. His own daughter.

He called one of themMelly, which I’m sure I’ve heard Amelia’s mother call her before, so I’m assuming it’s a nickname she’d had since young. Just sick.

Even now, bile rises in my throat every time I think back to it. If Amelia weren’t so stubbornly set on not having him killed, I would’ve killed him with my bare hands that day. And I’veneverkilled anyone with my bare hands.

Did he treat Amelia like shit all her life because he resented not being able to have her? Did he see her as some twisted replacement for her mother, since they look so much alike? These questions have been gnawing at my mind like parasites, why I kept Amelia far away from the sick pig’s house.

Harvey’s face shifts to pure panic, sweat beading on his forehead. He fidgets with his cufflinks, his fingers trembling as the rest of his body shakes as well.

Good.

I want him to suffer.

I want him to be so scared he shits his pants.

I want him to live out the rest of his miserable life far,faraway from Amelia.

“S-so what are my two options?”

I watch him with a cold, measured gaze. It takes everything in me not to slit his throat whenever I see him. “Option one: you go to prison for the rest of your life. Option two: you relocate to a country that doesn’t extradite to the United States, where you’ll spend the rest of your life. If you ever try to come back, the feds will lock you up upon entry.”

His eyes widen in horror as his breathing becomes uneven. “Another country?! Why can’t I just go to fucking Florida or something?”

“Not far enough. You’d be able to come back whenever you want. My priority is giving my wife peace of mind and safety.”

He swallows hard, his throat bobbing as his jaw clenches, tension rippling across his face. I can almost see the calculations running through his mind, weighing each option, searching for a way out.

“What’s it going to be, Harvey?”

“I… I’ll go to another country.” He sighs and shakes his head. “I’m not going to prison.”

“The jet is scheduled for tomorrow. Until then, you’ll have a security detail on you, and they’re right outside the door now, so don’t try anything stupid.”

A knock on the door interrupts the tense atmosphere before he can respond. Again, I call out, “Come in.”

I need to talk to Asher about setting up some kind of system for answering the door. I’ve promoted him to head hacker, which basically just means he’s working directly under the president now—me. So not much has changed between our previous dynamic, except for his massive pay bump.

Voss steps inside again. “Lots of visitors today. Someone is here to see you.”

I nod, dismissing Harvey with a wave of my hand. He grumbles but shuffles out past the guard, slamming the door behind him. Men always act like toddlers when they’re defeated.

The door opens again, and my dad walks in, his presence immediately altering the room’s atmosphere. For the better? He actually looks good, and seeing him feels good.

“So, is this where she…” His voice trails off as he glances around the room before taking a seat.

“Yes, but let’s not focus on that. How are you?”

He smiles faintly. It’s genuine but I can tell he’s still struggling. “Good. I feel good. I mean, it’s hard, but nothing inlife is really easy, is it? It’s been a few months and every day gets a little easier.”

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