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It took him a moment to mimic my movements, to rise to his feet and walk with me to the door. Maybe he’d hoped something would happen tonight, that I would fall into his arms and tell him to never let me go.
Maybe he didn’t understand I was genuinely sad my marriage was over. Genuinely hurt Liam had done that to me.
I opened the door so he could leave. “I’ll see you later.”
He stared at me for a long time, staying on this side of the door because he didn’t want to leave. He tried to think of something to say, but nothing was forthcoming. “I’m here if you need anything.” He didn’t try to hug me before he stepped into the hallway, giving me the space I obviously needed.
I didn’t look at him again before I let the door close.
29
Damien
“What now?” Hades sat next to me in front of his grand fireplace, drinking water instead of his usual scotch.
“Not sure.” His sobriety didn’t stop me from raiding his liquor cabinet and enjoying whatever he couldn’t imbibe. “When I saw her in her hotel room, she looked dead inside. She was genuinely hurt by what he did.”
“Can you blame her?” Sofia asked, holding a sleeping Andrew in her arms. “She was committed to that marriage. She wanted it to succeed. She wanted to believe Liam was the man she thought he was.”
“Motherfucker.” I swallowed the profanity with a drink.
“You mind?” Hades asked, nodding to his sleeping son.
“He’s one,” I argued. “And he’s asleep.”
“You’re in my house,” Hades threatened. “You play by my rules.”
I rolled my eyes. “Alright…Father.”
Hades gave me a glare but let the conversation drop.
“She’s been at work all week,” Sofia said to dissipate the tension. “She’s quiet but seems to be okay.”
I hadn’t called or texted her because I could tell she didn’t want me to. Maybe I was stupid for hoping she would jump into my arms the second Liam was gone, that she would fuck me right on that couch in her hotel room. Liam was out of the picture, but that didn’t mean I would get what I wanted so easily. My fantasies warped my reality, and I could think clearly. “Did she say anything about filing for divorce? Finding a place?”
“She did find a new apartment. Signed the lease,” Sofia answered.
I hoped it was better than her old place. “Did she move out?”
“I don’t think so,” she said. “But she got all the paperwork from her lawyer.”
“Good.” That meant it was almost over.
Hades turned to me. “I think I’m going to take him back as a client. What do you think?”
I didn’t want to deal with Liam more than I had, but I wouldn’t mind watching him get his ass kicked in the ring—and getting paid for it. And if he did death fighting, that would be even better. “Fine with me.”
“He never figured out it was you, so why not?” Hades asked.
“Fucking idiot.” I couldn’t believe it. How many Damiens were out there?
“Did he ask how she even knew what he did?” Hades asked.
“Not sure,” I said. “She didn’t say.”
“He must not have asked.” Hades took a drink of his ice water. “Otherwise, he would have connected the dots. You’re lucky Anna continues to cover for you.”
“I told her she doesn’t need to.” I didn’t care if he came after me. He may be larger than me, but I was faster.
Hades watched me. “I think it’s best for everyone if he doesn’t know. We can continue to milk him for millions, and he’ll have no idea that he’s making his wife’s lover richer.”
“Ex-wife,” I corrected. “And she’s not my lover.”
“Give her time,” Sofia said. “She’s getting divorced a second time. That’s rough.”
“She wouldn’t have gotten divorced a second time if she’d just listened to me,” I said bitterly. I’d warned her about him so many times, tried to convince her this was a stupid decision. But she was too hurt to think clearly.
“Be patient.” Sofia gently rocked her son as she looked at me. “She loves you. She just needs time.”
30
Annabella
I walked up to my own front door and knocked. The folder was tucked under my arm, and I wore a dress with a denim jacket on top. Springtime was here, and while the sun was shining, it was still a bit chilly.
Footsteps sounded on the other side, and the door opened a moment later.
Liam stood there, his eyes defeated, his frame weak. His chin was covered in a thin beard because he’d stopped shaving, and that brightness to his blue eyes was gone. It used to remind me of the sunshine reflecting off the blue waters of the ocean. Now they were gray, lifeless.
I almost felt bad for him…almost. “Can I come in?”
“It’s your house.” He stepped aside so I could enter. “You didn’t even need to knock.”
