Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Damien
When we arrived back at my suite, I searched my pants pockets from the previous day and found a receipt from the jeweler for the rings, totaling $23,000.
“Jesus Christ.”
“What?” Willa asked, walking over to where I stood. “What are you looking at?”
“The receipt for the rings.”
She grabbed it from my hand and examined it. “Damn, I guess they are real. Can you afford this?” Her brows furrowed.
“Yes, I can afford it!” I shouted.
“You don’t have to shout at me.”
“Yes, I do! You’re acting like this is no big deal!”
“No, I’m not. I’m just not getting all worked up like you are. This is fixable. We’ll get the marriage annulled ASAP, and we can move on as if it had never happened.”
“So, you do want it annulled?”
“Yeah, of course. You’re sexy and all, but I don’t know you. Come here.” She wrapped her arms around me. “You need a hug.”
Oh my God, what the hell did I get myself into?
“Listen, Willa. You can’t say a word to anyone about this, ever. Do you understand me? Something like this will destroy my career.”
“I understand. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone.”
“Thank you. I’m going to call my attorney and see what he advises.”
“Okay. I’m going to my room to change into my bathing suit and head down to the pool.”
“Go on. I’ll see you later.”
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed my attorney, Elijah Wolfe.
“Damien, is everything okay?” he answered.
“No, Elijah. I need your help.”
“What happened, my friend?”
“I accidentally got married in Vegas last night, and I need out of it ASAP.”
“I’m sorry.” He laughed. “You what?”
“I was drunk and got married to a woman I just met yesterday. I need to have the marriage annulled immediately.”
“Okay, calm down. Let me look into this, and I’ll get back to you.”
I sat on the couch and stared at the band on my finger. Taking it off, I placed it in my pocket. That was the last thing I wanted to see. The ringing of my phone startled me. Glancing at it, it was my Uncle Kroy. Shit.
“Hey, Uncle Kroy.”
“Damien, what the fuck did you do?”
“What are you talking about?” I cleared my throat because suddenly, it became very dry.
“Don’t fuck with me, boy. I just sent you the link.”
I tapped on the link, and it was an article on Page Six with the headline: From Boardrooms to Brides: Notorious NYC Bachelor Damien Blackwood Gets Hitched in Sin City.
Blackwood goes off the market in the best possible Vegas way—but who is the mysterious woman?
Attached was a video of us at the chapel, saying our vows and dancing up the aisle as others in the chapel threw rose petals at us.
“Uncle Kroy, I’m fixing this situation.”
“Fixing it? So it is real?” he shouted.
“Yeah. I guess it is.”
“Goddamnit, Damien. I warned you. This video is going viral. It was sent to me by a client asking what the hell is going on.”
“I have Elijah working on it.”
“You fucking better. Just wait until you get back here. The board called an emergency board meeting first thing Monday morning.”
“Great. Well, I don’t know if I’ll be back. We have to get the marriage annulled while we’re here, and the courts don’t open until Monday.”
“I don’t give a shit. You get your ass back here and in that boardroom Monday morning. You can fly back and get it annulled on Tuesday.” He hung up.
“FUCK!” I shouted, throwing my phone across the room.
After downing a scotch, I put on my swim trunks and a T-shirt and headed down to the pool to talk to Willa.
“We have a problem,” I said, sitting in the lounger next to her.
“Married less than 24 hours, and we already have problems.” She smirked.
“I’m serious, Willa. There’s a viral video circulating around the internet of us.” I tapped on the link and handed her my phone.
“Oh, shit.” She chewed her bottom lip while watching the video. “I suppose this isn’t good. Gee, what’s with that headline? Are you some kind of celebrity or something?” She cocked her head.
“No!” I grabbed my phone from her. “My uncle called me, and the board is asking for an emergency board meeting first thing Monday morning. I have to get back to New York.”
“What about the annulment?” she asked.
“We’ll have to fly back on Tuesday. Or you can stay here until then. I’ll pay for your room for the extra two nights.”
“But my cousins and I are leaving tomorrow.”
“Then we’ll have to fly back on Tuesday. I have to be at that board meeting.”
“Okay. Just let me know what works for you,” she said, picking up her phone.
I sat there and stared at how unfazed she was by all of this. It made no sense to me whatsoever.
“Um, I have to go and talk to my cousins,” she said. “Matt just saw the video.”
“Great.” I sighed. “I’m sure everyone in the damn world has seen it by now. I’m so fucked. I can’t believe this.”
“No, you’re not. We’ll get it straightened out,” she said.
“What don’t you understand, Willa? I am on the verge of losing my company.”
“I’m sure you’re exaggerating, Damien.”
“No, I’m not! You know what? Go. I don’t even want to see you right now.”
“Fine. I’m leaving.” She grabbed her bag and stormed off.