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He sighed and turned away slightly. “Liam was my client long before she was our friend. I’m not turning my back on our mutual self-interest just because you got involved with his wife. You need to be impartial too, because the details of their relationship are none of our business. To top it off, Liam has absolutely no idea of your relationship, and he would feel much differently about Anna spending time with you if he knew. You’re lucky I keep my mouth shut.” He turned to walk out. “Just keep that in mind.”
I pulled through the private gate of his property and parked. Just when I shut off the engine, my phone rang.
It was Charlotte.
I sighed when I spotted her name on the screen. Sleeping with the sexiest model in the country, and arguably the world, wasn’t something to complain about. She wore her heart on her sleeve and wanted me fiercely, so it was a great compliment, but it was also exhausting. I should just ignore her, but then she’d probably text me all night. I answered. “Hey, Char.”
“Babe, what are you doing tonight?” She had a deep and seductive voice, like she could be a voice actor if she didn’t want to wear a thong on a runway for a living. She was possessive right from the get-go.
“I just pulled up to Hades’s place. He’s having a birthday party for his son.”
“Oh, that’s cute.” She went quiet, as if she wanted me to extend her an invite. “Need company?”
“No. It’s just a few people.”
“Oh…” Her disappointment was loud. “I’d really like to spend time with your friends.”
I knew Anna was a bit uncomfortable about Charlotte, based on the kind of questions she’d asked me. I didn’t want the two women in the same room together if I could help it…just the way I didn’t want to see Liam kiss her in front of me. “Char, this isn’t a relationship. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression—”
“I know what it is, Damien. You’ve made yourself clear. But I don’t accept that. I want more…and I’m going to get it.”
Her ambition was pretty hot. The sexiest model in Barsetti Lingerie was determined to have me. “Char—”
“You’re going to repeat yourself, and I’m going to do the same. So, let’s not.” She was used to getting what she wanted, judging by the confidence in her voice. A man had never turned her down—and I wouldn’t be the first. “Text me when you get home. I’m coming over.” She hung up without waiting for me to agree.
I shoved the phone into my pocket and stared out the windshield for a moment. I would have ditched her weeks ago if she didn’t impress me. After Annabella, I was in a dark place, and I just wanted someone to share my long nights. It didn’t matter if it was the same person over and over. It was better than being alone, imagining her sleeping next to that jackass.
I headed inside and greeted Helena in the entryway before I approached the dining room. Hades had a big place, but he hardly used the other living spaces besides his bedroom. But tonight, he occupied the main dining room, where his mother-in-law joined them.
The first person I saw was Annabella.
She sat at the table and held Andrew under his arms so he could stand on her thighs. She supported him and smiled down at him, her eyes so affectionate, it seemed like they might burst. “Andrew, you’re so cute.” When she helped him walk up and down her legs, she made him laugh. “You like that, huh?” She continued to play with him.
I stared from the entryway, transfixed by that gorgeous smile. Whenever she was happy, her joy reached every corner of the room, erasing the shadows. Her long hair was pulled over one shoulder, large curls everywhere. She wore a long-sleeved pink sweater, her eyelashes thick and her cheeks rosy. I was bedding the most desirable woman in the country, but she never made me halt like this.
I felt a pair of eyes on me, and I shifted my gaze to Hades.
He was staring at me like he really was the god of the underworld.
I brushed it off and announced my presence. “Happy Birthday.”
Sofia was the first one to jump to her feet. She held her large stomach as she waddled to me, having that same pregnant glow as she did with Andrew. She turned her stomach so she could hug me. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I kissed her on the cheek. “Me too.” I’d thought Sofia was sexy when I first met her, but our friendship turned into something deeper, as if she was another sister to me. But it was deeper than what I had with Catalina because we chose to be close. We didn’t have to be. “Thank you for including me.”
