The Husband Beside Me (The Devil Trilogy Book 2) (22 page)

“Don’t you dare touch me,” she said to the two security men. “I asked, no I begged to see you, but you still refuse. I was your wife!” she slurred loudly. I watched as she held back her tears and tried to stand up for herself. It was difficult to watch both Daimon and her hurting. Both sought out love, she her former husband, Daimon his mother’s.

“You’re nothing but a drunk. Now, get out of my sight,” Daimon’s father spat at her with disgust. His viciousness broke my heart. It was clear she still loved him and wanted him in her life, yet he treated her with such hate and disdain.

“Guilin, you loved me. Don’t you remember?” she pleaded, trying hard not to fall down. She looked pitiful, as if she was nothing but a shell of who she was.

“I said get her the hell out of here!” He looked over her and ordered the men that stood behind her.

“You touch her and I will rip your fucking hands off,” Daimon threatened and stepped behind her, taking her by both arms.

“NO! I WANT TO TALK TO HIM!” she snapped at Daimon.

“ENOUGH,” Daimon yelled at her.

She stood frozen; her eyes wide as she looked up at Daimon, who seemed beyond hurt, his eyes red with anger yet brimming with unshed tears. He then pulled her through the crowd. I simply followed behind, looking at both their backs. I never truly realized how much Daimon suffered because of his mother, yet despite everything, he always fought for what he believed was his to have. Daimon, unlike me, never let his pain rule his life; instead, he buried it deep inside him, where no one, not even he could see it.

Ted pulled up with the car and Daimon helped his inebriated mother in the back seat.

“I’ll sit in the back with her,” I offered, but Daimon pushed me aside and slid inside, closing the door behind him. Ted opened up the front passenger door and waited. I looked on, watching Daimon never taking his eyes off his mother.

We drove in silence; unspoken words hung heavily in the air. I looked back and saw she had fallen asleep. Her head lay on Daimon’s shoulder as he held her hand. I turned away, not wanting to interfere in their moment. I was surprised when Ted stopped at our penthouse first. He got out of the car and opened my door.

“Daimon?” I whispered.

“Go,” he said simply, not bothering to look in my direction. I let out a heavy sigh, upset that he would push me away again.

I stepped inside the dark and quiet penthouse. Drako came to my feet sleepily. He then sat, waiting to be petted. I bent down and petted him as I replayed the events of the evening. I had no idea if Daimon would come back home, or if he would disappear for the night, losing himself in his pain.

I headed upstairs to our bedroom, slowly took off my dress, and placed it on the couch. I carefully took off the earrings Daimon had bought me and carefully placed them on the small coffee table that lay in front of the couch.

“What do you think, Drako? Do you think Daimon’s coming home?” Drako barked and sat down at me feet. I smiled and petted his head.

Needing a shower before bed, I walked inside the bathroom taking off my lacy black bra and panties. I turned on the water waiting for it to heat up. I stepped inside the hot shower; it felt divine on my skin as it awakened my saddened soul. The night’s events weighed heavily on my mind. The longer I was with Daimon, the more I was able to see layers of his thick façade beginning to collapse, making me see a very different Daimon, one I never knew.

“Addie.” Daimon had come home. He opened the door and I instantly froze.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I gasped. “You need to get out. NOW!”

“Addie, you’re my wife and I’ve had sex with you before. So spare me this I’m shy and modest bullshit,” he said condescendingly.

Unbelievable.
Despite the truth of his words, my standing naked in the shower seemed too personal. It most definitely wasn’t keeping the lines unblurred. “Get the fuck out, now,” I snapped.

“Get over yourself, Addie. It’s not like you’re much to look at,” he said venomously.

I turned away from him and laughed bitterly to myself, maybe it would have been better if he stayed out. I knew he’d been drinking. While I couldn’t smell it, his tells were there.

“Especially—”

“Don’t!” I pointed at him, the shower still spraying hot water on me. “Don’t you dare go there,” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Go where, Addie? Your scar?” he mocked, the tip of his lips curling up into a sinister smile.

“Daimon, I’m warning you,” I snarled.

“Oh, you’re warning me? Give me a break. I could have gotten any other girl, but instead I got you,” he laughed heartlessly.

“Why did you? Why did you bother ever coming back into my life if I'm so disgusting to you?” I asked angrily.

“You know why,” he shouted.

“No! No I don’t!” I shouted back.

“Because you were easy to manipulate. You were easy to do what I liked with,” he said cruelly.

“You son of a bitch,” I said annoyed at him.

“That’s right, Addie. I'm a son of a drunken bitch,” he said fiercely.

“You come home, angry at what she did, angry at how you pity her and her sad life and you take it out on me! That’s what I'm good for,” I said coldly. “Well done, Daimon. Always the fucking asshole.”

“I try to stay consistent,” he mocked bitterly.

“That’s right. You’ve not once failed to prove how much of a bastard you are.” I stepped out of the shower, the cold air encircling my body, making me shiver. I reached for a towel and wrapped it around me.

“Where the hell do you think you are going?” he stepped in front of me.

“Leaving.” I glared at him.

“Addie,” he said low and controlled.

“Don’t.” I pointed at him.

He grabbed onto my towel and pulled me to him. His lips crashed onto mine, making our kiss painful. I banged on his chest, wanting him to get off me; instead, I lost to him as he wrapped his arms behind me, lifting me up and carrying me back into the shower. The hot water continued to spray. The pristine white shirt was soaked through, clinging to his lean muscles. He pulled down my towel exposing my body, as he continued to kiss me hard, demanding entry. I felt pathetic when my lips parted. My body yearned for him and his intoxicating smell and taste. Nothing had ever tasted as good as Daimon.

I pulled onto his shirt, ripping it open, the buttons falling everywhere. Daimon growled low in the back of his throat. He pulled away; his eyes a deep blue now, an ocean of desire and pain. He unzipped his pants and fished out his cock. He peered down at me, never taking his eyes away from mine. His one arm wrapped itself around me as he pushed me hard onto the tiled walled. With his other hand, he grabbed onto my thigh, lifting it up. He lowered himself slightly as he surged forward. My breath hitched and my pussy clenched as I felt a slight sting of pain. Daimon held onto me as a low rumble came from his chest. He sucked in air as he moved in hard long thrusts. I snaked my hands inside Daimon’s open shirt and dug my nails deep into his back, anchoring myself as he hammered inside me. My pussy tightened and quivered, almost pulling him in deeper. I rocked against his rhythm, feeling my body pushing close to the edge. Daimon hungrily fucked me and I felt utterly desired.

“Addie,” he cried out in a tortured voice as he came hard. Just hearing my name escape his lips made me come. We stayed in the shower, the water washing away the moment we’d shared. Daimon lowered his head onto my shoulder and nudged his face into my neck. I held onto him, feeling his body pressed up against mine. I let out a breath as I clung to him. At that moment, in my arms, Daimon felt real.

“I’m sorry, Addie,” he whispered so softly I scarcely heard him. I knew I was lost now. This was the small push I needed and now I belonged completely to Daimon.

Spring was in full swing. I loved it, the crisp air, the birds singing, the sun shining, and Daimon’s grumbling.

“Who asked you to come with me?” I asked, annoyed as I held onto Drako’s leash, all three of us standing at the pier. I was going out for my first run of the year when Daimon followed me.

“I know you like running, so I wanted to see what the hell you do,” he remarked as he readied himself to run with me.

“You’re an idiot,” I said under my breath. “Come on, Drako, let’s go run.” I looked down at him as he jumped around. He was getting bigger now, nearly passing my knee. I started my run, leaving Daimon behind. It wasn’t long when he was meeting me stride for stride.

“So…why do you…like running?” he asked.

“The freedom,” I said, not looking over at him.

“You want…freedom from me?” he huffed.

“Are you…Daimon? Of course…I want freedom…from you,” I scoffed and picked up my speed just a little.

The air was filling my lungs and the feel of the pavement was just what I had dreamt of over the past wintery months. Daimon ran around me, wanting to be on my other side. Not realizing Drako would get overly excited seeing him, he pulled on his leash and Daimon tripped. Thank God, it was on the grassy side.

“Are you okay?” I asked, not once holding back my laughter.

“What the fuck? Do I look like I’m okay?” he asked as he lay on the ground.

“No!” I laughed loudly, holding onto my belly.

Drako, not knowing what he had done wrong, just kept jumping and trying to join in on my fun.

Seeing Daimon fall onto the ground made my day that much better. The sexy, powerful man had face planted, absolutely priceless.

“Are you done laughing at me?” he bit out.

“Not really,” I kept giggling.

He stood up and dusted himself off. He then turned to me and smiled widely.

“As pissed as I am right now, seeing you laugh like that makes me feel better,” he murmured as he walked over to me. That smile, those eyes, made my breath hitch.
Damn him
. “You like the way I look at you,” he murmured, hooking his finger under my chin. My insides melted a fraction and my body shivered at his touch. “It’s written all over your face, you want my cock,” he grinned and winked. The little balloon encompassing us popped instantly.

“Screw you,” I snapped, upset he could read me so well. Why was it I was the only one affected by him all the time? I began a soft run, wanting some distance.

“You can. How about on my bike? It’s spring. We can fuck all you want on it. Have to admit, I’ve thought of you on it once or twice,” he shouted from behind me. Most of the people on the pier had begun whispering and gawking at us.

“Fucking prick,” I said under my breath as I ran at full speed.

Thankfully, Daimon left me alone and I was finally able to enjoy my moment alone with Drako.

I sat down on the bench looking out at the Hudson River, letting my mind wander. Drako sat by my feet enjoying the sun, letting its rays shine down on him. The air around us smelled fresh and new, the trees and plants all coming back to life. It was funny how I felt the same way. After finally dealing with my guilt, I was able to focus on what I wanted out of my life. NYU hadn’t sent me my acceptance yet, but I was hoping for it every day. I just wanted to continue the degree I had, and further pursue a career for myself. I still didn’t know what I wanted out of my life, but I did know I wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet and with my head held high. I stood up to head back when my phone rang. I reached into my running shorts and unzipped the zipper. It was my father.

“Dad?”

“Hi, Addie,” he said sweetly. “I haven’t seen you in a while. I miss you.”

“I'm sorry, Dad, I know.” I had reneged on my responsibilities to my father and I felt horrid about it.

“Do you and Daimon want to come over for dinner? I can make us something really nice?” He sounded so eager that I couldn’t even refuse if I wanted to.

“Of course, Dad, we’ll both be there.”

****

“I can’t believe you made me come here on your damn motorcycle,” I hissed as I threw my helmet at him. We stood outside my father’s home, Daimon still on his bike.

“You made me come here,” he said calmly.

“It’s part of the contract, and by the way, I have let you off the hook a few times,” I said between my teeth.

“Your problem, not mine,” he said casually as he smiled.

“I hate you,” I said under my breath.

“Yeah, sure you do,” he said sarcastically, rising from his motorcycle and heading inside leaving me speechless.

“Welcome,” my dad said as he opened the door to let us in.

“Hi, Daddy.” I smiled and hugged him. “Hmm…smells good!”

“I made lamb and potatoes.” My stomach growled in anticipation; his food was the best.

“Lamb? Wow, I'm spoiled. My father-in-law is the best,” Daimon teased.

“Idiot,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“Addie,” my father said sternly.

“Yeah, Addie, manners,” Daimon said right after him, both of them looking at me. I was completely outnumbered.

It was great seeing my father get along with Daimon; it had been so long since I had seen him so happy. He looked healthy and that little spark of his had been creeping back into his eyes as he cracked jokes and asked questions. My father was finally appearing happy.