Edging Obsession

21

J ules and I finally make it downstairs for breakfast, and then there’s knocking followed by the ringing of the doorbell. My staff have returned to work, so I leave it to my butler to answer. While I’m hugging Jules from behind as she pours us coffee, Elliott and Elise come flying into the kitchen fully loaded with anger. I turn my body to rest against the counter, sigh, and watch them pointing their fingers and aiming insults and questions my way. Jules steps in front of me, pressing her back to my front and sips her coffee while they continue yelling. I drape an arm over her front, resting my chin on top of her head. This only makes them more upset.

Elliott is toe-to-toe with Jules. “How can you stand there, staring at us after you took off last night and knowing he’s Mafia?” Jules places her coffee down. “He’s into illegal things, Jules.”

She takes both their hands, leads them to the table, sits them down, and returns to get coffee.

Elise speaks up. “That’s enough, Jules. I won’t have you disrespect us.”

Placing a cup in front of each of them, she sits across the table. “I’m not disrespecting you; I just want everyone to calm before we get into a discussion about Miles.” She looks at Elliott. “You’re right, Dad, I shouldn’t have run out of Johann’s house. I apologize for doing so. Mom’s comment about Miles participating in group sex threw me over the edge. I became obsessed with the thought, and then when he tossed in another secret, I lost it.”

Elise folds her arms on the table. “And that’s how we feel.” Her head turns to me. “Lies and secrets. We’ve learned nothing other than lies and secrets from you.”

I push off from the counter, grab mine and Jules’ coffee, and I join her on the other side of the table. These two are ready to pounce.

Elise adds, “You can put on a shirt, Miles.”

“It’s my house, Elise. You’re the one who came storming in here.”

Elliott smacks his hand on the table. “Don’t be rude to my wife.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to settle the fury brewing inside, when Jules says, “Come on, I understand you’re upset, but let’s all be civil.”

“I’m upset with you too, Jules. Yesterday and today’s behavior is sickening.”

“First, I’ve already apologized for running off.”

Elliott jabs a finger toward me. “You’re unfazed by anything he does. Different name. Group sex. Mafia.” His eyes narrow at me while still talking to Jules. “Is he brainwashing you?”

I bark out a laugh. “Yes, Elliott. I’ve been brainwashing Jules. She’s not a grown-ass woman able to make her own decisions.”

Jules’ hand rests on my forearm. “Being civil, Miles, means less sarcasm.”

I turn my head to her. Our eyes lock. She’s not sorry for saying it, so I back down for now, bringing my attention back to her parents.

Elise says to Jules, “Have you completely forgotten he’s Mafia? He does illegal things.”

Since Jules doesn’t know everything, I step in and say, “I’m my brother’s right-hand man. He controls the business. For the past five years, I’ve been a drummer in The Coven.”

“And what kind of illegal activity are you into?”

“Not your business or concern.” She’s about to argue with me. “Everything you need to know, you already do. Let’s move forward.”

Elliott speaks up. “How can we move forward? Your life has been a secret since we’ve known you.”

“And it isn’t anymore. I’ve come clean so we can move forward.”

“Mom and Dad, let me explain how I feel about everything. I haven’t discussed how our relationship progressed. Maybe it will shed some light on our connection and my acceptance of Miles.” Elliott sits back, takes Elise’s hand in his, and gives Jules the okay. “When Miles and I first met, it was instant attraction. I’ve never had it happen to me before.” She places her hand over mine. “From there, we fell into a groove. Like I’ve known him my whole life.” Her eyes move to Elliott’s. “We had sex the first day we met.” Elliott coughs, gives Elise an irritated sideways glance, and sighs. “I’m putting it all out there. I understand you don’t want to hear about me and sex, but it’s reality, Dad. Please don’t think I’m disrespecting you.” Elise hugs Elliott’s arm. “In the beginning, it was attraction, yet it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Miles.”

I cut in. “To be clear, the feelings are mutual.”

Jules gives my hand a little squeeze and continues. “Our time together was intense, and then he left without informing me of our relationship status.” She nudges my shoulder with hers. “Lack of communication. Then Miles left his band to save me.” Another gorgeous smile. “He didn’t have to. And he even opened his house to the two of you.”

Elliott and Elise exchange an unspoken language between them, eyebrows lifting at Jules, and readjusting in their seats. So far, they don’t appear too enthused by what Jules is saying.

“Miles called me Schatzi, which is German. I didn’t catch the significance at the time. When things were out in the open about not being your biological daughter, Miles told me he was German, and explained he wanted a fresh start in the U.S. Of course, it makes sense because plenty of people change their identities, and not just people in the witness protection program. Regular people change their names for many reasons. They dislike the name. Or a stage name. You get what I mean.”

She stops, takes a sip of her coffee, and takes her hand from mine to hug her cup. “This part will be a bit uncomfortable. If you don’t want to hear it, I’ll skip it.” Jules bites her lip. “Do you want me to skip it?”

At the same time, Elliott says yes, and Elise says no .

Elliott speaks up. “If it has to do with sex, I don’t want to know.”

Elise frowns at him. “Well, I do. She’s our daughter and I want her to feel comfortable talking about anything.” Elliott gives her a painful look. “Go upstairs if you don’t want to hear it, but I’m listening to what our daughter has to say.”

“Fine. I’ll stay.”

Jules clears her throat. “Okay, well…during my healing period, we kinda…well, we sort of…”

I finish for her. “We ventured into a dominant-submissive relationship.”

Elliott’s face scrunches up. “A what?”

“It’s a kind of sexual relationship we’ve agreed to.”

“What the fuck?”

Elise presses one hand on top of Elliott’s arm, and the other to her chest. “Forgive me for my ignorance, but I’m not understanding.”

I glare at Jules and then answer Elise. “I’m not sure why Jules wants to divulge our private life, but I’ll humor her for now. What this means—”

Jules cuts me off. “What it means is we entered a BDSM relationship. BDSM is—”

Elise cuts her off. “I’ve read about BDSM. I know what it means. So, you decided to allow Miles to what? Take over your life?”

Elliott sits forward. “Why? I don’t understand why you’d allow someone to control you.”

Jules moves her cup over, takes Elliott’s hand, and says, “The thing about our relationship is we both have the control. Miles doesn’t do anything I don’t want done.”

Her mom shakes her head. “This explains why group sex didn’t bother you.”

“BDSM doesn’t necessarily entail group sex. To engage in this type of relationship, you need to have complete trust of the other.”

She points to me. “He hasn’t been very trusting, Jules. Miles has kept plenty of important information from you. And I bet you didn’t find out until after you started this…relationship.”

Jules gives a weak shrug. “Yes, some of the information came later, but by then, I wanted to submit.” Elliott and Elise shift to me. It’s obvious I’m not their favorite person. “Mom and Dad.” They redirect their attention to Jules. “It helps me.”

Elise asks, “Helps you with what?”

“My bipolar. Surrendering myself to Miles is freeing.” Elise shakes her head. “Mom, it’s not all about sex. Yes, it plays a role, but I’ve given Miles permission to control other areas of my life such as food, entertainment—”

Elliott cuts in. “I knew it. He’s been preparing your food and plates for a while now. I hate that, Jules. I hate this whole thing. Why don’t you want a say in your life?”

“Dad, I do have a say. For the most part, I submit to Miles and follow his orders, but when I’m wobbly with my ups and downs, he backs down.” She grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. “He lets me ride whatever sadness I’m facing or takes it away from me.”

Elise wipes the tears from her eyes, and Elliott runs a hand down his face. I don’t understand why Jules told them about our relationship. It isn’t something they need to know, and on top of everything else, it only adds to their dislike of me.

Her mom directs a question at me. “How could you take advantage of Jules? You know she’s vulnerable. Not only have you talked her into this crazy lifestyle, but the life you lead is also dangerous, and you’re risking Jules’ life.”

Jules is about to answer for me, except I beat her to it. “I’ll give you that. My life is dangerous, which does compromise her. That said, I’m in love with your daughter, and I’m a selfish bastard. I can’t give her up.” She folds her hands on the table. “Regarding our relationship, I don’t want you to think Jules doesn’t have a say. Yes, she’s vulnerable, mainly with her bipolar, yet everything we’ve done and agreed upon has been discussed extensively. It might not be your kind of lifestyle, like group sex isn’t, but give your daughter some credit.” She’s about to reprimand me, except I don’t give her the opportunity. “Jules isn’t an invalid. She can make up her own mind regarding what she wants in life. And quite frankly, she didn’t have a clue what she wanted to do. I’ve offered her a life where I’ll take care of her. Keep her safe. If she decides to go to school, open a business, or anything else, Jules is free to do so. Our…relationship doesn’t stop her from voicing her opinion or pursuing anything she’d like.”

They’re still not budging, so I soften my approach, for Jules’ sake. “Elliott and Elise. Obviously, Jules wants you aware of everything in her life. She is close to you and loves you. I would never keep her away from the people she loves most.”

Elise begs me. “But why this kind of relationship?”

“Because I’ve always wanted one, and it allows Jules to forget her ups and downs. She loves not having to make decisions on an everyday basis. Maybe once her bipolar and meds even out, she’ll want to have more say in her day-to-day life, but for now, this is what we want.”

“How does she forget her ups and downs?”

My eyebrow rises. “Do you really want me to go into detail?”

She holds her hand up. “Nope. Got it.”

The room falls silent. I excuse myself to get the cook because I’m starving. When I return, none of them are talking.

I plop down next to Jules, pull her against me, and kiss the crown of her head. “I can’t convince either of you to comprehend our relationship, nor will I try. It’s our relationship, not yours. All I can hope is we can agree to disagree.”

Their silence and stares haven’t eased up.

I let out a heavy sigh. “Tonight is the start of our European tour. I have to get to practice later this morning. Come to the concert. Afterward, you can travel Europe, think about all Jules has told you, and when we meet up again, I hope to have more information about your biological daughter.”

He stands, and Elise follows. “This isn’t the end of the conversation.”