Page 52 of Blades of Obsession

We’re only two minutes into dancing when I turn around to face him. His gaze scans over my body, but when it lands on my neck, his expression shifts. His eyes widen so much I’m surprised they don’t pop out of his head. Without a word, he takes off, disappearing into the crowd like he was never here.

I look down to see what the hell scared him off and that’s when I realize it has to be the necklace.

Screw this thing. I reach behind me to unclasp it, my fingers fumbling with the latch. Just as I manage to get a grip, I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I turn, startled, to see Rhett standing there.

Great.

Did he really need to send him? He doesn’t have his own stalker when he’s off with other girls. Why should I have one?

“I wouldn’t take that off if I were you.”

I scoff. “So, I can’t have any fun? It’s a harmless dance but it just scared some guy away.” I gesture in the direction the guy vanished.

“Harmless or not, I can’t let you continue to dance with guys now that I’m here. He’ll have my head on a stick. Why don’t you just dance with me? I’m not too shabby with my moves. We can still have fun.”

“Fine. Whatever.”

We dance, leaving a few feet between us, making it through two songs before Frankie stumbles over, a red drink in hand. “I was just seeing if you wanted another—Rhett? What are you doing here? Wait, you’ve come and stolen my best friend from me!”

Clearly drunk, Frankie raises her glass like she’s about to throw it at him, but Rhett catches her wrist just in time.

“Frankie,” he warns, his voice low. “You throw that at me, I’ll text Asher right now.”

“Hey, hey, hey,” I interject. “I’m going to the bathroom. You guys dance together.Peacefully.” I look between them with a pointed look. “And when I get back, we can all three dance together. How about that?”

“Fine.” Frankie crosses her arms, but as her favorite song starts blasting from the speakers, she starts swaying her hips, pulling Rhett along with her. “Oh my God!”

I’m feeling a bit wobbly in these heels, but I manage to make it to the bathroom and do my business. As soon as I walk back out into the main lounge area, I bump into someone, the impact knocking me off balance.

“Easy now. You’re a little tipsy, huh?”

“Jacob? What are you doing here?” I glance up at him, noticing the gauze over his nose.

He chuckles and casually drapes his arm over my shoulder. “Does Aiden know you’re here?”

Huh? Why does he call him Aiden?

“I-I don’t know really. I don’t have my phone. Frankie took it.”

“Perfect.”

I scan the crowd and when my eyes finally land on Frankie and Rhett, I notice they’re distracted and dancing with each other. “Um, I’m gonna go back with my friends.”

“What’s the rush? Your little husband is probably still with his plaything, Catalina. Maybe you and I should fake some pictures, get back at them.”

He saw the pictures. My stomach churns and a wave of nausea hits me, and I bolt back to the bathroom. Jacob ends up following me, holding my hair while I puke into the toilet.

It reminds me of the time I had my first cup of wine way too young and ended up getting sick. He stayed with me while I threw up all night and even in the morning when I had a raging hangover.

I wash my hands and turn to thank him, but before I can say a word, his hand shoots out, shoving me against the tiled bathroom wall.

The atmosphere shifts, becoming thick with unease. His hands, which once were gently holding my hair back, now feel like shackles trapping me in.

“Jacob, what are you doing?” I whisper, dread pooling in my stomach.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he grabs my ass roughly, and my pulse roars in my ears, drowning out the music on the other side of the door.

His touch grows more invasive, and I can practically hear Blade’s voice in my head, his warning echoing loudly.Use the knife when you have to.Now I see what he means by what kind of monster Jacob is. He thinks I’m drunk and yet he’s trying to take advantage of me.

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