Page 61 of Blades of Obsession

Once Julie finishes signing the contract, Rhett and I make our way back to the car. I seize the moment to confide in Rhett, something I couldn’t bring up with Amelia around. “What’s wrong with your brother?”

Rhett looks puzzled. “What do you mean?” he asks, glancing over at me.

“This morning,” I continue, frustration lacing my words as I remember what happened. “He tried grabbing my dick. Practically begged me to fuck him and acted like he wanted to be with me or something.”

His face darkens with shock as we reach the outside of the car. “Ohh, now it makes sense.”

“What makes sense?” I ask, noticing how he rubs the back of his neck, a telltale sign that sets off alarm bells in my mind. “Rhett, if you don’t want someone to know you’re nervous, maybe don’t rub your neck immediately after they ask you a question. That’s like manipulation 101.”

“Sorry, I didn’t take that class. Do they offer it at Crestview?”

“You can’t sarcasm your way out of answering.Whatmakes sense?” My tone sharpens, to signal to him that I’m not playing around.

“He’s just not… he could be a little nicer to her, that’s all.”

“Son of a b—why didn’t you tell me?” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’ll handle him.”

Rhett nods, muttering something about needing to use the bathroom, and runs back inside.

In the car, Amelia sits with her arms crossed, and I can feel the frustration radiating off her as she speaks up, “That was mean, and she seemed nice. How come you always have to do that?”

“Do what? Make decisions for you? Exude my dominance over you? Because you like it.” I slide my arm around her.

“No, I don’t.”

I study her, waiting for the telltale sign that she’s lying. At first, I don’t think it’s going to come, but a second later, she crinkles her nose.

“Come closer.” She leans into me and I whisper in her ear. “If you don’t like it, how come you always do what I say? How come you always get turned on by listening to me, and letting me lead? Like coming closer, with no hesitation at all? Your body just does what I say without even thinking. See, I think you do like it. In fact, I think you like it even more when I use force.”

Her lips press into a tight line, her silence speaking volumes. I raise an eyebrow, slightly amused. “What, no arguing?” I prompt. Instead of responding, she exhales a breath and averts her eyes.

I chuckle softly at her non-response. “Thought so.”

Chapter 23

AMELIA

Two months later.

Christmas break.

The words should have a nice ring to them, but this year, it doesn’t feel much like Christmas. I have no real family to visit, and on top of that, I’m stuck working on a project for Mr. Adams, due the moment we’re back from winter break. Leave it to him to ruin even the magic of Christmas.

I tried decorating parts of the mansion, even putting up a nice tree—one that Blade punched a guy for calling ugly—but the holiday spirit just hasn’t hit me yet.

It’s getting chillier in Albuquerque, the early mornings especially have begun to bite. We’re pretty far south, so it’s mainly a subtle chill, but some days tights are my best friend as I wear them under my outfits. I refuse to give up my skirts and dresses yet—they’ll have to be pried from my cold, dead hands.

I still can’t wrap my head around Skye’s sudden disappearance. Yeah, we had a fight but I didn’t think she’d up and leave the entire school. She even left behind some of her favorite trinkets, ones she always kept out and never let anyone touch. I went to the Dean’s office, but he couldn’t tell me anything other than she dropped out.

On the bright side, Frankie and I have been getting closer, and she’s always there for me when I start to miss Skye or haveother problems. It’s like she has an innate ability to sense when I need her the most. She’s really an angel on earth. But at the back of my mind, I can’t help but think… what if she leaves me like Skye did?

Tonight, we’re in Frankie’s room at her father’s house, getting ready for the annual Christmas charity ball John hosts. The room is a flurry of dresses thrown around, shoes tossed to the side, and of course Frankie’s stuffed animals here and there. The girl can’t live without those.

I’ve finally settled on a beautiful dark green dress that reminds me of the lush pine trees we have surrounding the college. I often get fashion inspiration from nature.

My phone vibrates on the dresser—a text from Blade. It’s a selfie from the guest bathroom downstairs, he’s wearing a form-fitting black shirt and a pair of grey boxers that leavenothingto the imagination. His print is showing, and even covered in the fabric, it’s freaking huge. His thigh tattoo peaks out too. I bite my lip, tilting my head as I study the picture.

Damn.

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