13. Damon
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
DAMON
NOW
Kingston fucking Beaumont continues to be the bane of my existence.
It’s unclear whether Chloe knew he would come for her or not, but the fact he did is all I need to know to see I made the wrong choice letting Ronan leave with her.
It’s only going to be a matter of time before someone works out Ralph had no reason to take them both, and eventually I’m going to have to dump the rotting corpse stinking up a wing of the compound.
Air freshener is only going to hide the distinct scent of decaying flesh for so long.
It’s been twenty-four hours since I heard from my brother, and I’ve spent that day trying to work out what to do next.
I’ve thought about spinning the story that Ralph was working for Kingston and Ronan was just collateral damage. But there are too many holes that can be poked into that story and will only make Chloe’s death more painful if we manage to get her back.
Although my feelings toward her are complicated at best, she doesn’t deserve a painful death.
I’ve considered how I can bring Ronan home without any questions, but even after being poisoned by my father’s lies about her, everyone that works for us knows my brother would never leave her behind, and faking her death has its own host of potential problems.
I drag my hand through my hair and force my eyes closed. I’ve been trying to sleep for the last three hours, but rest never comes.
Because every time I close my eyes, I see her. The woman that felt too fucking good beneath me just days before that scum almost violated her.
If nothing else good comes from this situation, his death is the best thing to happen to the family in years.
For so long I wondered what she would feel like against me, how her lips would feel beneath mine, and what she would taste like.
But now I almost wish I didn’t know.
Knowing the answer to all those questions makes me crave her, the one woman on earth I can never have. For a million different reasons, beginning with her being the love of my brother’s life and ending with all the misery I’ve caused her.
How could she ever look at me and not see the man that tortured her father in front of her?
Fuck.
I sit up and drop my head into my hands.
What a goddamn mess I’ve made for myself.
I push myself out of bed and move to my desk, where I have my burner taped to the inside of the bottom drawer.
Even as the next boss, there’s always a chance I’ll need to make a quick exit, and I’m prepared if that day ever comes. Especially given how many people in the family are displeased by who is slated to take the throne when Dad retires.
I bring up Ronan’s number and press the dial button without thought. It’s three in the morning in Miami, but if I know my brother, he won’t be sleeping until he at least has a lead on where to find Chloe.
“Hello,” he answers groggily.
“It’s me,” I say, rubbing a hand down my face. “I wanted to check in on how you’re tracking.”
He sighs, and the sound of sheets rustling fills the line. Seems he’s been able to rest more than I have. “We’re in Maine. Ryker says Kingston comes here when he wants to be alone, but the house is empty. Didn’t seem like anyone had been here in a while.”
“You’re still with the bodyguard?”
He groans. “Unfortunately. He’s a real pain in the ass, but he’s my best shot at finding Chloe.”
I nod along, despite him not being able to see me. “Do you need anything? I can wire you some money I have stashed in an offshore account if you need.”
Silence fills the line, and I pull the phone from my ear to make sure we didn’t lose connection.
“Why are you doing this, Damon?”
“Doing what?”
“Helping me? Helping Chloe?”
This time it’s me that takes a while to respond, because I don’t have an answer for him. At least not a good one.
“I don’t know,” I reply lamely.
“Yes, you do. Tell me why you’re risking everything for someone you claim to hate?” Any fatigue in his voice disappears, and I curse myself for calling.
It was only a matter of time before he started asking questions. I should have had my answers prepared.
I could lie. Hell, I should lie. But Ronan knows me better than anyone else in the world. It’s almost surprising he doesn’t know the answer himself. Or maybe he does. Maybe he’s always known my hatred for Chloe was fake. A lie I told to protect us all.
“Will you shut the fuck up?” Ryker’s tired voice comes through the line, and my brows rise in question.
“Are you sharing a room with the bodyguard?”
“Not by choice,” he rumbles. “Are you going to answer my question?”
“Nope. Sleep well with your new roommate,” I say a moment before ending the call.
For the first time since I met the smug son of a bitch, I’m grateful for Ryker’s interruption.
I won’t be able to dodge my brother’s questions forever, but for now I can pretend that I hate Chloe and I’m only doing this for Ronan.
Even if it’s a lie.