Page 139 of Blades of Obsession

I take a deep breath, still trying to shake off the image that will probably be burned into my mind for a long time. Oh my god, I’m gonna have to look them both in the eyes at dinner. “I went to ask my mom for a tampon, but… she was in bed… with your dad.”

Blade’s face drops, but he doesn’t look the least bit surprised. “I told that old fart to stay away from her.”

“You knew about him liking her?” I sit on the bed.

“I mean, how couldn’t he? No offense, but your mother looks exactly like you, which is smoking hot.”

“I don’t know whether to take that as an insult or a compliment. But either way—” I rest my hand on his chest. “I think we should let them have a go at it. It’s been three years and your dad hasn’t touched a drink once. My mom is finally in a good place mentally. My dad is… well, you wouldn’t tell me where he is, but I trust that he’s not in a position to come back. Maybe this would be a good thing for them, they both could make each other happy. They seemed to have…” I clear my throat. “Chemistry.”

“I… don’t even want an image of that.” He sighs, still looking doubtful, but he nods. “If that’s what you want, then okay.”

“Really?”

“I’ve already told you before, your wish is my command, pretty girl.”

I smile, leaning down to kiss him, and of course, he grabs the back of my head to deepen the kiss. It becomes hungry, fierce, insatiable.

“Ready for another round?”

Epilogue 2

BLADE

5 years later

“Daddy!”

The shrill voice of my little girl breaks through the quiet of my office as Riley bursts in, her blonde curls bouncing with every hurried step. She’s beaming, eyes wide and filled with a curiosity and excitement that amazes me most days.

“Mommy says I’m the prettiest girl in the whole world,” she declares, hands on her hips. “Is that true?”

I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms as I look down at her, dragging out the suspense just enough to watch her squirm. “Hmm… well, baby, I’m afraid not.” Her little face falls for a split second. “But,” I continue, “youarethe second prettiest.”

She narrows her eyes in confusion. “Well, who’s the prettiest?”

“Your mother, of course.”

She throws her hands in the air, her grin reappearing, brighter than before. “Mommy! Daddy said we’re the two most prettiest girls in the world!” she shouts as she bolts out of the room, her voice trailing down the hall.

I can’t help the laughter that escapes me, shaking my head as I turn back to my paperwork. But not a minute passes before I hear softer footsteps, and Amelia steps into thedoorway, her smile warm as she watches me. She crosses the room and sinks into my lap, sliding her arms around my neck.

“Thank you,” she whispers, pressing her lips softly to mine. “And I think you’re the most handsome man in the world, too.”

“Of course,” I murmur against her lips, stealing one more kiss before she can pull away. I glance towards the door Riley just ran out of. “Can you believe she’s five already? We’re getting old.”

Amelia laughs, her fingers tracing idle patterns along my shoulder. “We are, aren’t we? But at least now I’m officially a millionaire fashion designer. That makes aging a little easier.”

“Correction,” I tease, tightening my hold around her waist. “You’re a multimillionaire fashion designer.”

She grins, shaking her head at me like I’m exaggerating, but we both know the truth. Her hard work, the endless nights of sketches, designs, and building her brand over the years—it’s paid off in ways neither of us could have imagined.

She’s worked with the likes of Donatella Versace, Giorgio Armani, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, and a whole lot more.

Before we can say anything else, Riley charges back in, determination written all over her face. “I wanna sit on Daddy’s lap! You’re hogging my spot!”

Amelia glances down at her with a playful smile, then looks back at me. “Well, how about we both sit on Daddy’s lap? Remember what I said about having to share Daddy? You can’t always have him all to yourself.”

Riley crosses her arms, giving me that pout she’s definitely inherited from her mother, and always somehow wins me over. Especially when they tag team me on something they both want together. “Okay, fine… but just this once you can share him with me.”

I chuckle, shifting to make room as Riley climbs up, settling in beside Amelia. Wrapping an arm around each of them, I let out a contented sigh, soaking up the moment.

“My two favorite girls in the world,” I say, grinning. “Damn, I’m lucky.”

Amelia gives me a gentle smack on the chest, rolling her eyes. “No cussing in front of Riley!” Riley giggles as I playfully cover my hand over my mouth.

And as I sit here, my arms full with the two people who mean everything to me, with an empire as successful as ever, I can’t help but think that I reallyamthe luckiest man in the world.

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