Avowed (The Manipulation Trilogy Book 3) (17 page)

“I caught him in my web,” she laughs mirthlessly. “He was my first casualty. My first taste of revenge. He was my first practise to take you down.” I tense, my muscles locking in place. Ella stares me in the eyes, giving me all her pain.

“I made him fall in love with me. I spent more time taming him so his love ran deep. I dedicated more time to him because he was connected to Lydia too. I tricked him into catching me fucking Tom,” she spits. “Do you really want to hear this Damon?” she goads. I fucking don’t want to hear it. I want to find Tom and smash the memories of fucking my wife out of his head. “Simon was distraught and I made sure to see him at every opportunity. I haunted him and he couldn’t move on. I gained strength and confidence from his weakness. It gave me courage.”

“When I wanted to try more practice takedowns I looked for number two. Simon soon became an issue so I disappeared. I vanished from his life, courtesy of Lydia’s life insurance money, and I haven’t seen him for almost two years, until recently.”

I’m surprised Ella hasn’t realised that insurance companies won’t pay out for suicide. Her insurance money came from me. I couldn’t let her be left with nothing so I arranged with my solicitor to contact Ella on the pretense of Lydia’s insurance. I’m not going to share this with Ella unless she asks. There would be no point now. All my money is now hers so it would be a pointless argument, and I know it would be an argument. 

“Thomas came next. He was quick and easy. A rich bastard that wanted pretty women on his arm. He spoilt me and I let him. One simple argument ended it all. I became vicious with my words, breaking him down.”

“Alex was number three. I fucked with his mind. We kept things on a casual level but my words drew him in. I stayed for months. He wasn’t a selfish lover, he was easy to be around. I made him believe I cared for him more than I expressed. I became everything he could want. I let him fuck me where and when he wanted. Any position, it didn’t matter. None of it was felt by me. I shut myself off most of the time. After a year he suggested us becoming exclusive to each other. I thought it was time to ruin him but when I laughed in his face and told him I didn’t see any type of future with him he laughed with me. He wasn’t affected at all by my response, and that stung. I failed but I learnt from it. Giving him control over when and where we did it was my mistake.” My wife’s words are said in a dead voice. She’s shut her emotions off because I’m not giving her a reaction. The words are spilling from her unconsciously now.

“Lenton was number four. I took his friends. I made him fall for me and then gave him a choice. I demanded he choose between me, the love of his life, or his friends who would be a distant memory by the time we’d settled with our lives together. They would choose their own future and he would be left behind if he didn’t fight for his own future. I manipulated him into picking me. His closest female friend wasn’t as easy to get rid of. I pushed and pushed him, threatening to leave him. Lenton shredded her feelings, he broke her down in front of me, and destroyed their friendship permanently. I cheated with Tom again not long after.”

“Dante, number five, was a client of yours. I learnt about him in Lydia’s diary. He befriended her, but when she was sacked he sacked their friendship too. He acted like he didn’t know her so he became personal to me. I needed his pain.” Her dispassionate words worry me, but I’m not going to speak and take her out of her trance. She’s protecting herself by shutting off her emotions. 

“I wanted to take everything from him but his job and reputation was enough. I teased him into my lair, got him hooked, and ruined him. I let him fall hard and then I turned clingy. I hounded him at work and business meetings, business lunches and nights out I stalked him, always letting him find me. I made him end our relationship and didn’t leave him alone. I turned up at his office claiming to be pregnant and I told his bosses that he wouldn’t help me. His co workers were disgusted with him. After all, he works in a family orientated business. Dante had no choice but to hand in his notice. He quit and I left him alone. His workers would spread the word fast enough to ruin his reputation.”

“Cory was last. I gave him everything. I took his family, friends, job and heart. He was pathetic and still begged me to stay when I cheated on him. His dad knew I was bad news. He saw through my act and tried to warn his son. I told Cory his dad was jealous of him. He thought his dad tried to kiss me, and when I refused his advances he grabbed me and threatened me. I had bruises on my arms from his dad grabbing me when I told him I was going to ruin his son. Cory believed my words about his father. I told him his friend tried to take me away from him, and Cory soon dropped his friend. I acted the jealous girlfriend and claimed I couldn’t cope with him working in a bar with so many pissed women. He soon quit.” Ella looks me straight in the eyes now and I hold my fucking breath. A spark has filled her eyes, her anger returning.

“Is that what you wanted to hear Damon? How dirty your wife is? Did you need to know how twisted I am? I used them all and let them use my body. They fucked me every way possible,” she screams, self destructing. “Damon, I planned to do all that and more to you. I wanted to bury you so far in ruins you’d never see the light of day. I’m a slut and now you know that. Are you happy now?”

I need to step in now and save her from her pain.

“Am I happy that my wife hurt herself, put herself through hell and has a past? No, no I’m fucking not, but I accept it. Am I happy that my wife has finally opened up the rest of herself to me and let down the last remaining walls between us? Yes, I fucking am. I’m over the moon that it’s all finally out. Now you can move on. Move forward with me. I’m not happy that I had to push you so much to finally share your past, and I’m sorry for the things I said, but I wouldn’t take it back because now you’re free,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms again. “We can move forward and keep you safe. I hope you now believe me when I say nothing will change my feelings for you. Nothing can take me away from you.”

Tears now stream down her cheeks and wounded whimpers spill past her lips. My heart fucking breaks for her.

“I’m yours and you are mine. I’m keeping you. I would also like to add that Dante is a prick. He’s a smug bastard and needed taking down a peg or two, seeing as he bullied most of his co-workers. Now you have one more thing you need to talk about before you’re completely free. What was your plan baby? What were you going to do to me?”

Ella’s shocked eyes meet mine in a frantic plea. She’s most scared about speaking of this. This is the last tie holding her back in the past. She needs to release her plans and let her past stay in the past.

“I... Damon, please... I don’t,” she sighs. Seeing my expression she knows I’m not going to stop asking until she speaks. “I wanted you to marry me. I was going to get you to agree to a prenup so you would trust me but I was going to convince you to add a clause that if either of us cheated, the cheater would have to pay all their financial worth to the other. I was going to ruin your bond with your family, destroy your business, drug you and make you cheat, and take your life away by taking everything. I planned to leave you in such despair that the only end you’d see was to take your life like Lydia did. I wanted you dead.” Sobs fall from her mouth, her chest ripping raw. “I’m sorry Damon. So very sorry.”

My wife buries her head in my neck and bleeds her pain away whilst I hold her together. A quarry of guilt overwhelms me and my chest caves in at how much I’ve broken her.

Much later when Ella is asleep I call Spencer and we plan to find this Simon and pay him a visit. He needs to stay away from my woman.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

November 29
th
2014

Ella

It’s a bright sunny autumn day, but the crisp cold wind on my skin makes me shiver. Pulling my jacket tighter around me, as much as my bump will allow, I use Damon's body as protection, hovering slightly behind him as he grips my hand in his. 

I can see the sign for Bundles of Love a bit further down the road, and the closer we get the more excited I feel that we are about to pick out the nursery furniture and clothes for our baby. 

Damon over the last two weeks has been in my sight at all times. If he has to work he opts to work from home, if he needs to pop out to a meeting he take me along. Most women would be bothered but being pregnant makes me clingy, so I love that he wants me with him at all times.

We walk for a few minutes more before we stop outside the door. I take a step forward, and Damon's hold on my hand loosens as I reach for the door handle.

His eyes are locked on the window display. That is what drew me into Bundles of Love to begin with. The beautiful arrangement of all kinds of baby clothes is breathtaking. Rosemary really knows how to present items to draw the eye.

The bell above the door tinkles as I open it, announcing our arrival. Rosemary is at the back of the shop arranging a display of baby clothes. She looks up as we walk in and gives us a welcoming smile, recognition shining in her eyes.

“Hello again,” she greets warmly. “How are you today?” she asks. She looks from me to Damon and smiles at him. Damon gives her a polite nod and turns to look around the store. 

“I feel great Rosemary. Thank you. How are you? How is Ebony? Is she not here today?” I ask. Rosemary looks happy that I remembered her daughter’s name, but I can't see her here so she must be alone in the shop.

“Oh we are great, thank you for asking. Ebony is in school today, not that she’s happy about that. I’m sure that girl would quit school today and sit in here all day with me if I’d allow it,” she replies, laughing. “How can I assist you today?” she asks, motioning us further into the store. 

“We’re looking for nursery furniture,” Damon replies from behind me. He sounds confused and I know it’s because they doesn’t actually sell furniture in this store, but I know from my last visit that they sell furniture from another location. Rosemary nods her head in acknowledgement before reaching behind the counter, pulling out some catalogues, and hands one to Damon.

“We offer everything here. Anything you could possible need for a baby is in there,” she says, nodding to catalogue. “We have everything in our storage warehouse and delivery can be arranged quite quickly. Of course if you’d like to see the items before purchasing, then we can arrange a walk through the warehouse. Just let me know if you find anything specific you’re interested in,” she replies before walking over to an array of bedding.  “We have a wide variety of nursery accessories that are in stock today. Have you settled on a colour scheme?” she asks. I glance at Damon, who is flicking through the pages of the brochure. 

“I don't know. We haven't really thought about it yet. I was hoping something would catch our attention,” I reply honestly.  It's only been the past few weeks that it has really hit me that I am about to become a mother.

Rosemary gives me a small smile. “It can be a little intimidating for first time parents. There are so many choices and items you’ll need, but we can help you with anything you need darling. Just give me a shout if you find anything that takes your fancy.”

“Thank you,” Damon replies absentmindedly. I look at him and he’s engrossed in the catalogue in his hands.

“Why don't I leave you two to browse? If you have any questions at all I will just be over there,” she says, pointing to the back of the store where she was when we arrived. 

Damon is still absorbed in the catalogue so I walk over to the rails of baby clothes, and running my hands over the delicate garments, I examine them all closely. I want them all. Every single item is individual, and the detail on the dresses is breathtaking.

My hand stills on a stunning tiny lemon dress.  Small bows adorn the shoulders with little ruche lace frills and long sleeves.  A delicate lace overlay covers the dress from the chest downwards and finishes past the bottom of the dress. Ribbon tied in a bow is the finishing touch, right at the heart. The dress itself is made of cotton; cotton so fine it feels like silk against my skin.

I look at it for a while, taking in every little detail, trying to imagine what our daughter would look like in it. I can only picture her looking like Damon, and she will be perfect, just like him.

I take a few more moments to pick out a few more items for her. I select four more dresses along with some babygrows, sleep suits, vests, bibs, leggings and tops, different coloured woolen tights, and some frilly nappy pants. My arms are full by the time I’ve picked everything that I possible can’t leave behind. Looking up, I find Damon standing at the counter talking to Rosemary. I make my way to them with my purchases and my husband notices me and stops speaking. His eyes stay fixed to mine as I close the remaining space between us. The smile he gives me is full of warmth and love, and it completely takes my breath away.

It's the smile that is reserved only for me. 

Returning his smile, I drop the items onto the counter. Damon’s eyes take in all the tiny baby clothes and he softy strokes the different materials, his eyes clouding with love. I know he’s picturing our daughter wearing some of the delicate outfits I’ve selected.

Rosemary is busy writing something down on a notepad and doesn’t seem to notice I’m now standing with them.

“Mr. Hunt, we can–” Rosemary looks up, and spotting me, she cuts her own speech off. “Oh, sweetie, did you find everything you need?” she questions.

“Oh yes. Thank you. You have so many beautiful items in here. I could buy the whole shop,” I say with a giggle. Rosemary gives me a big smile.

“Ebony designed another new blanket with you in mind. After the first purchase you made here and the blanket you selected, she went straight to work. I have it in the backroom. It’s a gift from her to your little one. I’ll grab it for you if you just give me a moment.”

I nod my head and decide to look at the other blankets in store. I forgot they hand make pieces here. My excitement bubbles when I reach the knitted woolen items. All knitted items are kept together and I find myself selecting cardigans and jumpers for our daughter too. 

Damon approaches me from behind, and I can feel his breath on my neck as he looks over my shoulder at a tiny white cardigan I’m looking at. Small flower buttons embellish the front and an embroidered heart is over the left breast. It’s beautiful and I must have it.

Damon’s arms wrap around my ever expanding stomach, and he pulls me flush against his chest. His hot breath on my neck makes me shudder, and I close my eyes when his lips nuzzle against my ear. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from moaning out loud when I feel his tongue gently tracing my earlobe. 

“Have you found everything you want beauty?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Mmhmm.” I reply, losing all train of thought. The effect he has on me is criminal, and I have no control over my emotions whenever he is touching me. I never believed it was possible to love someone quite so much as I love this man.

“Are you hungry?” he questions, before dropping his arms from around my waist. Before I can answer my stomach grumbles, making both of us laugh. 

“I think Jellybean has decided for you,” he says, removing the clothes from my hand and leading me back to the counter. 

Rosemary is on the phone but as soon as we approach she ends the call and takes the items from Damon. 

“Did you find everything you needed?” she asks, while ringing up our purchases.

“Yes, thank you Rosemary.” I reply “I'm sure we will be back soon though. We still need to pick out the nursery.” Rosemary doesn't reply for a second, as she is busy wrapping the dresses in tissue paper before placing them in little boxes. When she is done, she pulls out a bag, and places everything in before handing them to Damon. She hands me a separately wrapped gift and I realise it’s the blanket Ebony designed. I quickly unwrap the paper and pull out the beautiful lemon and white woolen blanket. Pompoms adorn each corner with tiny little butterflies attached to each fluffy ball. It’s stunning.

“Thank you,” I choke. My emotions are all over the place at the gift. “It’s beautiful. Please share my thanks with Ebony. She’s got a real skill for designing baby items.

Damon puts his credit card in the machine to pay for our purchases and I look away as he puts in his pin number. When I look back Damon is smiling at me.

“What?” I ask.

“I have nothing to hide from you Ella, not even this.” he says as he holds out a credit card to me. I look at the front and see that my name is printed on it. Confusion must be clear on my face as Damon steps towards me, gripping my chin in his hand, and lifting it so I am looking directly at him.

“What's mine is yours beauty. Everything I have is
ours.
” He doesn't say anymore but the implication is clear. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Three years ago it was what I wanted but now I’m worried as to what people will think. Will they think the same as Leona?  That I'm only with Damon because he is rich?

I'm pulled from my thoughts when I hear Rosemary saying thank you to Damon. I smile at her as we say our goodbyes, promising that we will come back soon. Damon places his hand at the small of my back, and gently guides me out of the shop. When the door closes behind us he spins me around and crushes his soft lips to mine. 

The kiss starts getting deep fast and I'm glad that Damon has the restraint to pull his mouth away, because I’m more than happy to let him strip me naked here on the street. I have no control when it comes to my husband. My head feels heavy with lust, and my body is needy for him. I lean against Damon for support, and his arms band around me, holding me to him. When I finally have my breathing under control I lift my eyes to meet his chocolate liquid ones.

“Will it always feel like this?” I ask, my eyes taking in his perfect face.

“No beauty,” he says, pausing. “Every day I spend with you will keep getting better,” he whispers gently. 

“I love you,” I tell him. I love saying those three little words as much as I love hearing him say them back.

“I love you too Ella,” he says, letting me go and taking my hand. “Let’s go get some lunch. I want to take you to a country pub we used to go to when we were younger,” he says, leading us back to the car.

****

We pull into the car park of The White Oak about thirty minutes later. Climbing from the car, Damon moves to my side and reaches for my hand, helping me out before pulling me towards the pub doors. The outside is beautiful. The grass has been freshly cut, and rose bushes line the edges, running all the way around the building. Three large wooden sash bay windows are the focal point, surrounded by luscious green ivy trailing up to the roof. If the outside is this beautiful, I'm excited to see how the inside looks.

Walking through the door, we are greeted by chatter and laughter, voices bouncing off the walls. A woman standing behind the bar looks up as we walk in and gives us a smile. As soon as she realises it’s Damon, a huge smile spreads across her face, and she stops what she is doing and rushes out to greet Damon with her arms open wide.

“Damon Hunt. Wow, where the hell have you been?” she asks, pulling him into a warm hug. When she lets him go he looks ashamed and apologises.

“I'm sorry Joan, I’ve been busy,” he pauses, pulling me into the crook of his arm. “Joan, this is my wife, Ella,” he says, in a voice filled with pride. 

Joan’s eyes light up at his words and she looks me over, pausing when she reaches my stomach.  Her eyes flit between Damon and me.

“Yes Damon, I can see you’ve been very busy,” she says, laughing. She reaches forward and pulls me into a bone crushing hug. For a little woman she sure does have some strength behind her embrace. She pulls away, holding me at arm’s length, her hands resting on my shoulders.

Joan reminds me of someone I’ve met before, but I can’t put my finger on who. Her hair is dyed jet black and back combed so it’s full bodied. Her face, that was probably quite beautiful when she was young, is caked in makeup. Laughter lines span out from her eyes, showing years of joy. My eyes fall to her lips that are smothered in ruby red lipstick.  

“She really is a beauty Damon. How the hell did you catch someone like her?” she jokes. My eyes flick back to hers, and I blush at her compliment. I look at Damon who has a huge grin on his face, and his arm around my waist pulls me closer to him.

“She couldn't resist me.” he replies smugly, making Joan burst out laughing.

“Don't be too smug Damon. I seem to recall your charm hasn't always worked on all the girls,” she says matter of factly. Another voice calling out can be heard across the bar.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” calls a husky voice. We all turn towards the voice, and an attractive woman who looks similar to Joan starts walking towards us. I take her in and realise that she must be Joan's daughter. She looks exactly the same, only younger. She is beautiful also, and for a moment all my insecurities creep to the surface.