Page 60 of Blades of Obsession

“Where to?” Rhett asks from the intercom of the front seat of the red Mercedes Maybach, the pop car we use for all our basic errands. The privacy screen is up at the moment, separating the front and back seat, so we communicate through the intercom.

Usually, Rhett and Rhys sit in the front, taking turns driving, while I sit in the back. Right now, Amelia and I occupy the back seats while Rhett drives. I made sure Rhys didn’t tag along—his blatant jealousy towards my relationship with Amelia makes me uneasy, and I don’t want him anywhere near her anymore.

Did he really think I would fuck him right when Amelia was downstairs? Even if this were a parallel universe, I still wouldn’t cheat on Amelia, and I definitely wouldn’t be stupid enough to risk getting caught.

“I know of a cafe that specializes in different dietary needs. A member I met a while ago has a wife who owns it. I’m texting you the address now.”

“Why are we going to a gluten-free cafe? I already ate breakfast,” Amelia asks.

I place my hand on her thigh, my thumb gently tracing circles over her skin. “To get your robot.”

When we arrive, the three of us head inside, with me opening the door for Amelia in both the car and cafe.

There’s no wall between the kitchen and dining area, so I sit back for a few minutes, observing the workers until I pick out the one who seems the most passionate. Her smile is genuine, and she doesn’t take the few shortcuts I noticed the others getting away with.

I walk up to the owner, a woman in her mid-forties standing behind the front desk signing some papers. “Hey, Sarah.”

“Oh hey, I remember you,” she says with a smile. “How can I help you?”

“Can I talk with her?” I point to the woman I picked out.

Sarah looks hesitant but says, “Yes, of course. That’s Julie. She’s married to Jet. He’s a Serpent too.”

I’m not sure if she relayed that information to try and intimidate me or to give Julie credibility, but all it did was give me more leverage to get what I want.

Sarah leads us to a back room lined with takeaway trays and plastic utensils, Rhett staying in the lobby area. The moment Julie lays eyes on Amelia, her mouth parts in surprise. My brows knit together in suspicion, and I instinctively wrap an arm protectively around Amelia’s waist, pulling her closer.

“A-Amelia?” Julie speaks just above a whisper.

“How do you know her name?” I question, a little rougher than I intend to.

“She looks just like her mother, Aurora. We were close, but we got disconnected shortly after Amelia finished her toddler years.”

Amelia’s face immediately lights up, her hazel-green eyes sparkling with a mixture of surprise and awe. The smile that makes its way across her face is a sight I could look at forever.

“What’s this about?” Julie finally asks, tensing up as she looks between us.

“Four thousand a week,” I offer. You’ll come to my house four days a week to be Amelia’s private chef. Breakfast and dinner, lunch only on no class days. Everything gluten-free.”

“What?” Amelia chimes in. “I can’t accept—”

I tighten my grip on her waist and lean down to whisper in her ear. “I think you’ll accept whatever I give you.” I smirk when I see a shiver run down her spine, goosebumps lining her skin. Fuck, I love when her body can’t help but react to me.

“Um… I don’t know, anyway. I’ll have to ask my husband. He probably wouldn’t want me in and out of that mansion. I remember our days there. It gets wild,” Julie says, chuckling nervously.

I sigh. She’s wasting my damn time. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and dial a number, placing it on speaker.

“What do you need?” John answers after a couple of rings.

“Hey, John,” I emphasize his name so Julie knows who I’m speaking to. “Little predicament. I’m trying to get Amelia a chef, but the lady is refusing. She works at Ambrosia, and I think her husband’s name is—”

Julie’s eyes widen in alarm, her pupils dilating as she frantically waves her hands. “No, no, no,” she stammers, her voice rising in pitch. “There’s no need to tell him that information. I’ll do it.”

“All settled, then?” John asks.

“Yup. Thanks, John.” I hang up. “Take the keys and go wait in the car,” I direct towards Amelia. She flashes an apologetic smile at Julie before leaving.

While Amelia was eating breakfast, I had Harvey draw up a contract for Julie and send it to me. He’s a bastard, but he’s good at his job. Well, not that good, since he accidentally sent me an extra video along with the contract that I don’t even wanna open.

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