18. Damien
Damien
“ W ho knows about this?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I told Timothy the entire story. He’s searching for a copy of the license. It’s public record. We need to learn who Amber had sign the license and file it.”
“Whoever they are, they lied.”
“It’s definite grounds for an annulment,” I said. “I did some quick research after she left my office. An annulment takes about thirty days after it’s filed.”
Ella’s eyes opened wide. “What if she fights it?”
“If she does, she’s going to jail for falsifying legal records.”
Her nose scrunched. “How did you react? How did she react?”
“I was fucking stunned and angry. She was manipulative and angry.” I forced a grin. “Remember what I said about Allen and Angie on the plane, about them hearing more disagreements than agreements?”
Ella nodded. “Angie told me she was glad I was back.”
Closing my eyes, I let out a long breath. “Today, in my office, we were loud. Unless someone overheard, no one besides you and Timothy know on my end. She’s probably told Darius.”
“Oh my God,” Ella said, lifting her glass and draining the rest of the wine. “Do you still think he’s dangerous?”
“I don’t know. If he is, this will only add fuel to the fire.” I met her eye to eye. “Do you want me to leave?”
Ella tilted her chin down and ran her hand over her forehead. When she looked up, there were fresh tears in her eyes. “I feel so stupid.”
“You’re not. I didn’t know.”
“Who will believe that?”
“I only give a fuck about one person, and I’m looking at her.”
Ella looked up. “If I told you to leave, would you?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Would you?”
My fingers balled into fists at my side. “Ella.”
“Would you?” she asked again, louder than before.
“Damn it, I love you. I fucking got you back. I never should have let you walk out on me in the first place. I don’t want to leave. I don’t care about a fucking piece of paper. I love you.” The rings on the table caught my attention. I lifted the engagement ring. “This is yours. It always has been yours. Will you wear it?” When she didn’t reply, I added, “I’ll leave. I’m also leaving this ring with you. It belongs to you. This won’t be two damn years of separation, Ella. You have my word. I’m going to hound you every second of every day. We’re meant to be together. I need you to believe that as much as I do.”
My teeth ached under the pressure of my clenched jaw as I waited for Ella to speak, to say anything. She didn’t.
“That fucking cunt,” I growled. “I’m going to make this right. I promise.”
“I need time to think.”
Inhaling, I called on all my self-control. “I’ll give you time.” I handed the engagement ring her way. “Please take this. Even if we’re not married, we can be engaged.”
Ella reached for the ring. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell Millie that I’m stepping down from the campaign.”
My fucking heart was being ripped from my chest. “Please don’t.”
She stood taller. “Please keep me informed about Derek.”
“I will. What about my things upstairs?”
Before Ella could answer, her doorbell rang. Duchess came running from the front of the house. When I turned toward Ella, her forehead was furrowed. “Did you call for food?” she asked.
“No. Are you expecting anyone?”
The doorbell rang repeatedly.
“What the fuck?”
We both walked down the hallway toward the foyer. Through the lead-glass sidelight was the distorted image of a person. A man. A tall man.
The small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention.
I shot out my arm. “Ella, stay back.”
The man was now pounding on the door. “I know you’re in there. Open the damn door. Your car is right here. I’m not leaving.”
Ella’s eyes opened wide. “Darius?”
“Fucker.”
Ella reached for my arm. “Damien, don’t open the door. He sounds nuts. We can call the police.”
I wasn’t going to hide from my brother behind a door.
The pounding continued.
“I’m going to handle this,” I said, going to the front door, turning the bolt, and opening the door. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Let me in.”
“Leave,” I said, “you’re making a fool out of yourself.”
“You think you can win. You always have. You’re nothing but a spoiled asshole who wants everything I’ve ever had.” His volume was getting louder with each phrase.
Opening the door wider, I said, “Fucking get in here and quit making a scene.”
“A scene. You think this is a scene?” As Darius’s gaze fell on Ella, his volume lowered. “Oh, Gabriella. Has my brother told you that he’s a cheating piece of shit? Has he told you about your marriage?”
“Ella knows everything,” I answered.
Darius took a step toward her. “Maybe you and I should find comfort in one another.”
Ella’s arms were crossed over her breasts. “Darius, I think you should go home.”
“Home?” he questioned as he looked around Ella’s front rooms. “I don’t have a home. My wife is married. I’ve been cut off from my father. And my plan to secure my rightful place in” —his volume tripled— “ my father’s company is going up in fucking smoke.” He took another step toward Ella. “But I bet you could make me forget my problems. I’d make you forget yours too.”
The actual fuck.
I grabbed Darius’s shoulder and spun him toward me. “Leave Ella the fuck alone.”
“She’s not your wife. Just like Amber isn’t mine.”
Fisting the front of my brother’s shirt, I stepped closer, my warm breath hitting his bruised face. “I beat the shit out of you once, I’ll do it again.”
“Fucking hit me. This time, I’ll have your ass in jail.”
Letting go of his shirt, I pushed him away.
Darius stumbled before catching his footing. “I’m the oldest. Dad wanted me to run Sinclair.”
My voice was finding its steady volume, timbre, and tone. “He gave you the chance. You failed. That’s on you.”
“This isn’t done.” Darius pointed his finger at me. “You don’t get to win. Not again. Fucking Marsha will kick me to the curb if Dad dies. I can’t land on the curb if I’m Sinclair’s CEO.”
“You’re delirious.”
“No, brother,” he said. “I’m warning you. I’m taking your position and your wife.” He turned toward Ella. “I might even take your mistress, too.”
“Fuck you, Darius,” Ella said.
The asshole grinned. “Sure, sweetheart, we can work that out.”
Fuck the damn police.
Once again, I grabbed his shirt. “Get the fuck out of here, or I’ll gladly sit in a jail cell, knowing you’re in the hospital.” With my free hand, I opened the front door. “Don’t come back.” I shoved him to the top step and slammed the door.
As soon as it was closed, Ella came my way. She wrapped her arms around my torso with her body shaking.
“I’m so fucking sorry.”
She looked up. “Don’t go.”