Page 47 of Blades of Obsession

Jacob lingers for a moment, his eyes landing on me with a look that sends chills down my spine. “You can’t keep me away forever,” he calls out again before turning on his heel and disappearing down the pathway.

The silence that follows is suffocating. My pulse pounds endlessly and I feel Blade’s tension slowly ease as he puts the weapon back. He turns to me, eyes still hard, but softening when they meet mine.

“You okay?” he asks, voice rough but full of concern.

I nod, my voice barely a whisper. “Yes, thank you for asking.”

“Now you see what I mean? That was a threat—you can’t keep me away forever. He wants something, to hurt me. I can feel it. That’s why he came back. And the only thing worth anything to me is you.Non posso perderti. So you need to take this car, keep the knife on you, and I’ll have Rhett following you everywhere. Understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper shakily.

Chapter 18

BLADE

Jacob has been at the campus for the past week or so and good for his sake, he’s been staying far away from Amelia. But his presence still makes me uneasy, like a weight pressing at the back of my mind. Especially since he followed Amelia home that night in the dark.

She insists they’re just childhood friends, but I know better. I know Jacob. There’s something else going on, something I can’t shake.

I don’t know what he’s planning, but I’m not stupid enough to believe he just randomly showed up after disappearing for a year and a half, only to follow Amelia home on his first night back. The same Jacob who swore he’d never return to this campus.

As I walk through the halls, I text Asher.

Me: Get info on where Jacob was while he was gone

Asher: Tomorrow. I’m going to Frankie’s dorm, won’t have time tonight

Jesus fuck, people are useless. I start to type a response, but something catches my eye. Jacob, Skye, and Catalina all gathered by a pillar, talking like they’re old friends.

The sight pisses me off. Why is Amelia’s best friend hanging around the girl who used to torment her? And Jacob—of all people—the guy I wouldn’t trust within a mile of her?

Skye looks uncomfortable, her arms crossed tightly, her eyes darting around like she’s not supposed to be there. Catalina’s smirking, playing the queen bee act like she always does, while Jacob’s leaning against the pillar, looking far too relaxed for my liking.

I send another text before I head over there.

Me: Come to the west wing main building by the music room

I start walking towards them, my jaw clenched. Whatever this little gathering is, it’s ending now.

Halfway there, I’m stopped by a random redhead girl who gets in my path, twirling her hair between her fingers, flashing a smile I have zero interest in. I can throw up just looking at her. She’s nothing compared to my angel. No one is. So I don’t know why they all still try.

“I’m Chelsea. I was wondering—”

“Fuck off.”

The urge to shove her head into a locker flashes through my mind, but I have bigger things to deal with. So, I simply step around her without a second glance.

When I finally reach the three of them, the tension is thick. Skye looks like she’s about to bolt, and Jacob straightens, his eyes locking onto mine. Catalina? She just looks entertained, like she’s waiting for the drama to unfold.

I address Skye first.

“I don’t know what’s going on here,” I say, my voice low and cold, “but I do know one thing—you’re not going near Amelia anymore.”

Skye’s eyes widen, and she tries to explain, her words rushing out. “Blade, it’s not what it looks like—”

“Stop.” I cut her off, stepping closer. “I don’t care what it looks like. You’re packing your shit from her dorm, and you’re leaving this campus. Tell her your parents are sick or something. She’s not having snakes in her garden, ready to bite at any moment. I’m stopping the bullshitbeforeit happens.”

She freezes, her face pale. Then, slowly, I see her shoulders tense, fists clenching at her sides. She’s getting angry.She’sgetting angry atme. The fucking audacity.

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