The Husband Beside Me (The Devil Trilogy Book 2) (5 page)

Everything I had pushed aside to do this fake wedding, all I was feeling, blew up in my face. That one little statement Daimon said underneath his breath broke me. I put my utensils down, not making an effort to hide my dismay. Daimon turned his head and looked at me, his eyes watching me carefully. I stood up to leave, but he grabbed onto my arm and held me in place.

“Sit!” he quietly commanded, but I ignored him. I pushed his hand off my arm and left.

I passed everyone, who was either eating or mingling and headed to the bathroom.

“What’s up, baby doll?” I heard Elissa coming up from behind me.

“It’s nothing,” I said quietly as I stared at the mirror feigning I was fixing my makeup.

“Look, it’s no secret that your relationship with Daimon is slightly toxic,” she stated. I looked away from the mirror and gave her a ‘duh’ face. “Okay, a little more than toxic, but you both seem happy, and that sizzle you have is all over the place. I mean, I can feel it from where I’m sitting. Looking at you two is like watching the beginning of a good porno,” she winked.

“Elissa, not helping,” I said dryly, looking away from her.

“Well, what do we have here? Oh, it’s Addie and her trashy friend, how nice.” It appeared Clara couldn’t give up the chance to come here.

“I see Daimon invited you,” I said spitefully.

“Daimon may have only had eyes for you, but as you can see, he clearly wanted me around,” she grinned.

“Oh, please.” Elissa rolled her eyes. “Can you be any more delusional?”

“You listen here, waitress or whatever the hell you are—”

Elissa turned to her and pointed her finger right to her face. “I’m a guest here, not a waitress or whatever the fuck you were going to call me. Here I can do what I please. So either stay the hell away from Addie tonight or deal with me. Your choice,” Elissa warned. When Clara swallowed hard, Elissa took my hand and led me out. “You seriously don’t need that tonight. What you need is your…” Daimon appeared before us, his head to one side, gauging what was going on. “Husband,” Elissa said, smiling as she handed me off to him. “Your bitch friend, Clara, is around. Didn’t think you would have the nerve to invite the one person who can make Addie feel like shit and yet you do the man-thing and invite her.” Elissa shook her head. “Well played, dumbass.” She winked at me and left.

“What did Clara do?” he asked angrily as he looked me over.

“Nothing, unlike someone else I married, who loves to take little jabs at me. She was actually quite pleasant in comparison.” I fake smiled as someone passed us. I wanted to reach over and just push Daimon out of my way and walk out of here. I wanted to go home, lie on my bed and forget this whole fucking day.

“For God’s sake, Addie, learn to take a joke once in a while,” he hissed underneath his breath.

“I’m sorry, but can you tell me the fucking punch line to your joke?” I bit out.

“Is our happily married couple having problems?” Clara smirked as she emerged from the bathroom.

I moved closer to Daimon taking his hand into mine. My body felt revulsion the moment I touched him, but I swallowed my bitter pill. “You’re too much. You know this, right? I mean, Daimon and I have been in love since high school, but here you are at his feet and mine as well, acting like a pathetic castaway. He doesn’t want you. He’s never wanted you. How could he when I fulfill all his needs and desires,” I spat my venom out. It really wasn’t about Clara, but the anger and resentment inside me just sprang out and she was the one who stood in front when it happened.

“You stupid bitch!” she snapped, but before she could do anything, Jessica came around with two security guards.

“Please escort our guest outside,” she said to the boys who stood behind her. I looked around and there was a lot of security everywhere. What did Daimon think was going to happen tonight?

“Anyone else?” I turned to Daimon. “Is there anyone else I need to face today?” I said exasperated.

“Darren wasn’t me,” he murmured angrily.

“It’s never you, Daimon,” I said sarcastically.

“Come on. You need to eat and we need to keep up appearances.” He took my hand, pulling me through the main hall to our table. He forced me to sit down next to him. He then stood up and picked up his champagne glass. He hit it with his knife making the music and the people stop what they were doing.

“Good evening, everyone,” Daimon said in his deep and powerful voice. Silence fell over the entire room as our guests turned and faced us. “I wasn’t going to do a speech tonight so forgive me if it’s not up to par, but the moment I saw my Addie, I knew I wanted to tell everyone how much she means to me.” Daimon turned to me and smiled. “Addie and I started our little romance in high school. You can say I did all I could to get her attention, but when high school ended and my bond with the girl that I had grown to know had broken, my world had grown dark. She was a light that I needed. A fire that blazed inside me, and without her, I am no measure of a man. I asked Addie to marry me only because I could not imagine another day without her by my side. There can be no other woman for me. It’s actually her fault really since she imprinted herself so deeply inside me. I know, Addie, we will fight and I will not always be the man you want.” Daimon now winked, and my heart, my stupid heart fluttered. “But I know you are everything to me and I am willing to do anything I need to do, to assure you are with me forever.” Daimon smiled a crooked grin as he leaned down and kissed me.

The room clapped and hollered. I could feel his tongue trying to enter my mouth. He pushed and I relented.
Hateful Lucifer.
He used any and all opportunities to make what he wanted happen. His tongue eased in, filling my mouth with his taste. He took the back of my neck and went deeper, forcing his dominance on me. My body went limp at his mere kiss. I couldn’t fight him off, afraid that our deal would be exposed. I tried to move slightly, but his hold was unyielding. He finally released me and smiled, his sky blue eyes telling me I was his to play with.

“See what I mean?” I heard Elissa over the crowd. Stupid girl. I was going to kill her. I could feel my face growing hot with sheer embarrassment that he had kissed me possessively, especially with my family here.

The night was filled with so many events that I didn’t realize how late it was. It was well past the usual time for weddings. People were making deals and one of them was Daimon. He used this event to his advantage. I watched him carefully as he sat down with some serious-looking business associates.

“So I think it’s time we go,” Jace said as he leaned in and kissed me on both cheeks.

“Yeah, it’s rare, but damn, I’m tired,” Elissa said, smiling at me.

“Do you think your dad will refuse me if I go over to his place to crash? Your bed was awesome to sleep in, plus my roommates are probably still partying,” Elissa asked.

“Why don't you come over to my place?” Jace offered.

“Yeah right, you and me, alone in a one-room apartment. Are you seriously trying to pick me up now?” Elissa fired back.

“Relax, you’re not my type. I was just trying to be a friend.” Jace shook his head at her.

“Really? No funky fucky business?” She eyed him carefully.

“No.”

“Fine then, lead the way,” she said to him as they left. I watched their exchange and was left wondering what was really going on between them.

“I think it’s time we go too.” My dad and Sofia came up from behind Jace and Elissa.

“Oh, okay,” I murmured, finally realizing I wasn’t going to go home with them.

“It was really great, Addie.” Sofia hugged me and held onto me a few moments longer.

“It really was,” my father agreed, watching us.

“I’ll call you tomorrow before I leave for school,” Sofia said.

I watched as both of them left me alone. I felt like I no longer was part of them. No longer was it just the three of us. It was the two of them and now I was the outsider.

“Lost in your thoughts I see. You always were a nerd. I’d ask, penny for your thoughts, but I already paid you enough,” Daimon said low in my ear as he stood behind me.

“Don’t you have more business deals to take care of?” I murmured, too hurt to care about his jabs.

“Not really, since everyone pretty much left.” I stood back and faced him. I looked around and he was right; it was the two of us. The band was getting ready to put away their instruments.

“Hey, guys, do you mind if I get one more dance with my girl?” he asked, not bothering to look at them, his eyes only saw me.

“Daimon, I’m not in the mood,” I breathed.

“Yes, you are.” He took my hand and intertwined our fingers as he pulled me onto the dance floor.

“Daimon,” I implored. He put his strong arm around my waist and took my hand into his and pulled me in close.

“Addie, just stop thinking,” he said in his usual low voice.

The music played. It was “Unchained Melody” from the Righteous Brothers. I looked up and saw Daimon was smiling at me as we danced.

“I think things went pretty well,” he grinned.

“I’m just glad it’s over,” I murmured.

“You just couldn’t wait to be married to me, is that it?” he teased.

“You and Clara are the most delusional people I have ever met.” I tried to leave, but he only held on tighter.

“I don’t think so. I think you’re the one who’s delusional. Remember, Addie, you’re mine now.”

“For three years, Daimon. I’m yours for three years starting today,” I said dryly.

“Didn’t I say we won’t be talking about our little arrangement?” he bit out, his face changing.

“You said that for yesterday. If I see the time right now, it’s the next day,” I fired back.

“Always thinking. When will you turn your brain off?” he asked annoyed.

“Never,” I mocked. Our conversation was interrupted by some scuffling and a few loud words I could barely make out. Daimon stopped and we both looked toward the door.

“LET GO OF ME!” An older woman with expensive clothing slurred as she tried to get around the security guards.

“Fuck,” Daimon muttered under his breath.

I looked to see the woman was smiling at us.

“Go on now. Keeps dancing,” she slurred. “I wants to see you dance.”

The head of Daimon’s security came up to us, with his head low. “We’re sorry, Mr. Evans, she was here watching you, but when she tried to approach you, we had to subdue her.”

“Why did you let her in?” Daimon seethed.

“She asked to simply see you two, nothing more. I'm sorry. I was wrong.” He lowered his head, waiting for Daimon’s usual anger.

“Take Addie to the car and don't you dare let her anywhere near Addie,” he growled. Without even speaking to me, Daimon’s security ushered me to the car. I passed the woman and made sure I took a closer look. She smiled at me and waved.

“I'm sorry,” she slurred sadly, but it wasn’t her words that stopped me; it was her eyes, her sky-blue eyes.

I watched through the town car as Daimon argued with the woman who clung to him crying. He pushed her aside saying something to his security guards. They held her back as he came down to the car.

“Daimon—” I started.

“Not. One. Fucking. Word. I don't want to hear one fucking word,” he growled as he looked ahead, not bothering with me.

“But, Daimon—”

“I SAID NOT ONE WORD!” He turned to faced me; his beautiful sky-blue eyes peering down at me like ice, his jaw closed tightly as he leaned forward, making me feel threatened. I leaned back into my seat and stared out the window.

I didn’t know what had just happened, but seeing Daimon like that terrified me. I knew deep down he would never hurt me, not physically; he wasn’t the type. But whatever he was feeling had pushed him over the edge, bringing out in him an anguish I had never seen before. Daimon was hurting.

I was assuming we were driving back home since Daimon had made it clear in the beginning that it wasn’t a good time for a honeymoon, and besides, it wasn’t likely we’d enjoy it since sex was off the table. I had sworn to myself I would never ever be weak like that night. Never would I ever go out seeking Daimon for comfort ever again, but when we stopped in front of St. Regis, my heart dropped.

“What are we doing here?” I asked, but Daimon still in a foul mood, ignored me.

He then stepped out of the town car and waited on the sidewalk. I could see photographers taking pictures and waiting behind security. God, please tell me they are not waiting for me? The moment I stepped out of the car, they went crazy. Lights kept flashing as Daimon wrapped his arm around my waist and led me inside.

“Mr. Evans, on behalf of the St. Regis, we congratulate you. Mrs. Evans is quite beautiful; you are a very lucky man.” The manager of the hotel smiled at me. I nodded and smiled back, sinking behind Daimon.

“So I have been told,” Daimon said severely. Ouch!

The manager darted his eyes at me. I let out a sigh and smiled. I guess I’ll be spending most of my time apologizing for Daimon’s behavior.

“If you would follow me please, I have your room ready for you.” We followed. Daimon was tight lipped and avoided looking at me. I could see the manager seemed somewhat aware of the atmosphere. How could he not?