The Husband Beside Me (The Devil Trilogy Book 2) (21 page)

“What did she say?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

He went quiet after that. I stood beside him, watching him from the corner of my eye. Daimon was unnerved. I wondered if I had pushed him into something he might not be ready for. But it was his mother, and for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling he wanted her in his life. The elevator stopped and opened up to a long corridor. I saw the door with the number PH400. Daimon walked to it but stopped and turned his head slightly, making sure I was next to him. He rang the bell and we waited. After a few moments passed and no one answered, Daimon pressed the keypad.

“You know your mother's key code?”

“It's my birthday,” he said quietly.

The door beeped open and Daimon stepped inside. His mother ran out with her hair and makeup all done up. Her face lit up the moment she saw him. Her stunning blue eyes sparkled with such happiness that I couldn't help but feel some jealously.

“Daimon.” She smiled.

“Hi,” he said coldly.

“Addie.” She turned to me and hugged me. The smell of alcohol had overpowered the perfume she had just sprayed herself with.

“Come, come inside.” She gestured for us to enter. The penthouse was just like the lobby downstairs, mimicking the black and white with the sharp contrasting colors of various accent pieces. A large mirrored wall made the space look twice the size, while grey couches faced each other and the large gourmet kitchen. A small baby grand piano was positioned in the back room. He was more like his mother than he knew.

I turned my gaze back to Daimon and watched carefully as he remained silent and watched his mother as she tried to offer us coffee or tea. Her movements were exaggerated and her words slightly slurred. Daimon simply watched her.

“Coffee would be great,” I said, answering for the both of us.

I still didn't feel quite right from the previous day, but Daimon made sure I ate before we left. Thankfully, my stomach had settled but was still a bit off. Daimon's eyes drifted the moment his mother’s back turned and she made coffee for us. I followed his line of vision. There behind the couch facing us, were four open bottles of scotch. I reached out, took Daimon's hand into mine and held onto it, his eyes never leaving the bottles.

“I’m glad you two decided to visit,” she shouted from the kitchen. Daimon’s body grew ridged.

“You should thank Addie,” Daimon responded bitterly.

His mother stopped for a mere moment, her body seemed to sag as she continued to gently place the elegant black painted coffee cups down on a tray.

“Either way, I'm still happy.” She forced a smile as she walked over to us. I watched carefully, worried she might spill the tray but she didn’t. She placed it onto the coffee table between the couches, and sat down.

“How have you been, Addie?” she asked, picking up her cup and smiling.

“I’ve been well.” I smiled back.

“Has my Daimon been good to you? I’m sure you know he has quite the nasty mouth on him.”

“It’s okay, I can hold my own,” I replied.

“Can you both not talk like I'm not in the room?” Daimon hissed.

“Sorry, honey, you’re right,” Daimon’s mother said. “How have you been? Do you still play your violin?” A small light in her eyes lit up, waiting for his answer.

“No. I hate music,” he spat out. She lowered her head; the light in her eyes snuffed out.

“But you used to love it?” her voice broke. “I still play the piano, you know the song you and I played together. It makes me feel closer to you.” She stood up and started for the piano.

“I don’t play anymore.” She stopped midstride. I remained silent, knowing what he was doing. I wanted to say he was lying, but I would be doing the very thing I promised him I wouldn’t.

“Do you still drink?” he said gruffly.

“Not as much as I used to. I'm getting better. I promise,” she said, running over to the couch and reaching for the hidden the bottles. “I know it looks like I do, but trust me, it’s not like it used to be.”

“Sure it’s not,” he scoffed. “You always said you were getting better. Ever since I was a kid.”

“Daimon, I promise. I’ll stop if it means I can be in your life,” she pleaded. “Daimon, I miss you so much. I have the picture of us. Remember? The one in Central Park and you were running around and I pulled you in and took a picture of just you and me? Remember? If you just let me back into your life—”

“Deidra, as much as I hope you get better, don’t you dare throw this on him.
You
have to want it, not Daimon,” I spat out. How could she put this on his shoulders?

“You’re right, Addie honey. I’m sorry. It’s just, he’s my boy and I love him.” she cried.

“Enough!” Daimon bit out and stood up.

“Daimon?” I called after him, watching him leave.

“It’s okay, Addie, go. Thank you though for trying.” She smiled quietly wiping her tears away. I nodded and ran after him. He stood by the elevator with his arms crossed waiting for me.

“I tried what you wanted,” he said harshly. “Now let’s go home.”

As the doors to the elevator opened, I could faintly hear the quiet playing of a piano. Daimon stepped inside the elevator, ignoring the gentle sounds. I calmly followed, not uttering one word.

“Do I seriously have to go?” I asked as I walked down the steps wearing an evening gown he had delivered for me. It was a stunning black and navy blue dress made entirely of French lace. The high sleeves came around the top of my shoulders, while a small collar dipped down to show off my cleavage. The dress was long and tapered off around my knees. The back of it is what made me hesitate.

“The contract stipulates you have to come with me to every social event,” he said, staring out through the window in the library. He stood with his back to me and his hands in his tuxedo pants.

“But the back...” I murmured quietly.

“The back is all lace. No one will see your scar,” he reassured.

I finally made it to the final step, adjusting the silk belt tied neatly around my waist.

“Addie,” he breathed.

I looked up and met his eyes. The moment I did, he let out a breath.

“You look incredible.” He smiled, walking over to me. “Here.” He picked up a square velvet box and handed it to me.

“What is this?” I asked, looking at the box.

“Open it,” he said, but I hesitated. “Come on, Addie, it’s a present. They taught us that much in high school,” he mocked. I rolled my eyes and opened my gift. Inside was a pair of breathtaking chandelier earrings.

“Are these real diamonds?” I asked nervously.

“Yes,” he replied, his voice confident. Taking the box from me, he plucked out one of the earrings.

“Daimon…I'm not sure if—” I stammered nervously.

“Shut up and fucking wear what I give you,” he barked, annoyed.

“I keep forgetting what a gentleman you are,” I fired back.

“Your problem, beloved, not mine,” he said with a smirk.

Daimon stepped away from me, waiting until I was finished putting on my earrings. He’d hardly spoken about the other day nor his mother. I didn't push it, considering how he wasn't pushing me either. Every day that passed, I felt like I was coming to terms with losing her. Did my pain go away? No, not exactly, but the heaviness I’d been carrying in my heart lifted, and for the first time, I felt like I could breathe. I looked over to Daimon and I smiled happily; his looked elegant in is perfectly tailored tuxedo.

“Liking what you see?” a crooked grin slowly appeared on his face.

“Not really.” I shrugged and walked past him, acting indifferent.

“Ouch.” He grabbed onto his chest and feigned pain. I didn’t want to admit it, mostly to myself but especially to him, but Daimon was firmly cemented under my skin. My heart ruled every time I was with him, which terrified me.

At least once a month, Daimon had galas he was required to attend to and not once was I allowed to stay home. The parties made me feel uncomfortable. The people there were fake and made sure I understood my place. It felt like an adult version of high school.

That night’s gala itself was an elaborate affair with spring colors of green and white. Bright yellow and white flowers were placed around the tables and near the bars. The soft orange lighting enhanced the spring atmosphere. I walked around cautiously, avoiding contact with the guests that was until Clara appeared in front of me.

“Well, I guess Daimon’s money can make a difference,” she said spitefully.

“Hello, Clara,” I said, gritting through my teeth, faking my smile.

“Do you actually have a purpose here? Or are you just living it up?” she jabbed.

“You know me, Clara, I just love living it up with all you snooty people,” I said with disdain, managing to keep my smile fixed on my face.

“You would, you stupid charity case,” she said viciously. Ah, how I missed my nickname in high school.

“Don’t be too rude to my daughter-in-law.” I heard from behind me. My body shivered at the sound of his voice. If this night couldn’t suck any worse. “You look much like Deidra when I first starting bringing her out to society. I hear you have met her. Now you can see why Clara is a much better choice for my son,” he stated coldly.

I chose to ignore his words. I was already afraid of the slippery slope I was on with Daimon. If I just let myself, I could fall and fall hard for him. I knew in the back of my mind, I was no good to him and I needed to stop what was barreling through me.

“But don’t you worry, I know Daimon, he will throw you away and do what’s right for him in the long run.” His father smiled and took a sip of his martini.

“Get away from my Addie. She only has room for one asshole in her life and that asshole is me,” Daimon said arrogantly as he finally emerged and snaked his arm around my waist.

“Daimon, seriously, when the hell are you going to just cut her loose already? I can’t wait forever,” Clara snapped.

“In due time, Clara,” his father reassured her. Daimon laughed, but there was no humor, only anger.

“Do you think I’m like you? That I would throw away my wife? I would never do that to my Addie.” He words were curt and fierce. “Unlike you, I protect my family and Addie is mine to do that with,” he said directly to his father.

“Daimon, your ridiculous fascination with her is unhealthy,” Clara said bitterly.

“So? I admit it, I'm fascinated by her. She’s strong and determined. Willed and vivacious, and she’s all mine,” Daimon snapped, glaring at her. “Let’s go, Addie, no point in bothering with those who are not worthy of our time.” I followed him, wondering if what he had said was true. Was that how he saw me?

“Daimon—” I started.

“I’m not going to do to you what my father did to my mother, so don’t worry about that,” he said affronted as he took the first drink he saw off a tray that made its way around us.

“It never crossed my mind you would,” I admitted honestly. He turned and gauged me for a moment.

“It didn’t?” he said suspiciously.

“No, it didn’t. I would sooner think I would be the one leaving because of your shitty asshole ways,” I faintly smiled.

“That sounds more likely,” he laughed, his anger seemingly disappearing.

“I just wanted to ask, if what you said—”

“It’s how I see you, Addie. It’s how I’ve always seen you,” Daimon said calmly. His face softening as he watched me.

The sound of his potent words was the very beginning of my unraveling. The slippery slope I was avoiding was becoming harder. All I needed was a gentle nudge and I would be all his, through and through. I stood before him knowing that if my heart were to break because of him, it was my fault for blurring the lines we had created. It was I who easily gave in to him each and every time, and I gladly did it; even though I fought not to.

Daimon smiled; it was faint but it was there. He leaned back onto the large column behind him and watched me, his intense stare making my body grow warm from the inside out.

“LET GO OF ME!”

Daimon’s eyes left my body and veered to the sound of a woman yelling. I looked through the crowd, and there, by Daimon’s father, was his mother. She was dressed in a sophisticated suit, her high heels adding to her sophistication. Her hair was perfectly styled and her makeup elegant and chic.

“I SAID, LET GO OF ME!” she continued to cry out as two large security men grabbed her on either side. Daimon threw his drink and rushed through everyone. I followed quickly behind.

“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!” Daimon barked at the two men.

A quiet hush came over the gala as everyone stopped what they were doing and watched us.

“Daimon, please,” his father hissed at him in a hushed voice. “It’s enough she came here and has already embarrassed me. I don’t need you to make another scene.”

“I have shares in this company. I can be here if I so choose,” Daimon’s mother said defiantly. Daimon’s father ignored her and waved his hand to the two security men.

“Take her away, now,” he said dismissively.