"Matt and I watched old movies all night. I was just feeling blessed to have him as a brother." She shrugged and stood, unsure of whether to approach him or not. Matt's confessions the night before left her on shaky ground, her actions sure to push Damon away or pull him close.
"Glad he's all you've ever wanted."
"In a brother," she finished his sentence, catching on quickly to the pinched tone of his voice. "What's wrong? Something happen?"
"Yes. It did." He turned and walked into the house, his movements stiff and unnatural.
Chapter 20
Sickness washed over her as she grabbed her towel and walked quickly to catch up to him.
"Damon. Talk to me." She pulled at his arm as they moved into the living room. The house was quiet, the only sound being their breathing.
He turned, his face a mask of anger. Bethany backed up a step, not sure how to respond to his glare. She had done something to set him off and yet she hadn't seen him since they held each other all night on Thursday.
"I just got a call from our lawyers that one of my interns broke another intern's nose. The intern that's in the hospital is looking to sue my firm because of it. Did you not want to mention that before I had to stand condemned for shitty management skills before the lawyers? Do you think that lying is the way to build a business relationship with me? What else haven't you told me? Care to confess now?" He barked at her, running his fingers through his dark hair and beginning to pace in front of her.
Bethany pulled the towel closer, suddenly feeling young, childish... exposed.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you in person."
"How old are you? Do you think punching someone in the face is good business practice?" He stopped and pressed his hands to his hips, leaning toward her menacingly.
"No... I'm sorry. I just lost control of my temper. She goaded me one too many times and that was it for me."
"Yes, well, I'll send you the bill when she sues us. Oh wait... you're broke. I guess I'll do with you what I do with everyone. I'll clean up your mess and you just go have a good time being irresponsible and doing whatever the fuck you like."
He growled loudly, his fist clenched, his jaw set in a strong grimace.
"Fuck you." Bethany turned and walked to her room as tears filled her eyes. He had no idea the life she had lived. He was hurt from his past and everyone who got close to him would be his punching bag. If he gave two shits about her he would have asked how it all happened. She would beat herself up later over not telling him about it.
"I'm not done talking to you." He stormed after her, only to get a door in his face. He beat on it a few times. "Bethany, open the door."
"Go away. I'm not taking this shit from you. You aren't my father and you're sure as fuck trying to act like it." She dropped the towel and pulled her suit off as his voice softened, but only slightly.
"I know that. I'm pissed that you didn't tell me. Why? Why wouldn't you call?"
"I didn't think you wanted to talk to me, Damon. You fucked me Thursday and left Friday without a word. I'm not interested in looking like you matter if you can't return the favor. Go away. I don't need this shit and I don't need you."
She walked into the bathroom, the sound of him hitting the door hard shaking her to the core. She turned on the shower and got in, her sobs painful and redemptive. He was a mistake. He was damaged goods and her brother. She pressed her head against the cool shower wall, a flood of emotion dragging over her in waves.
The hot water held her attention for more than an hour, her skin properly wrinkled by the time her tears were flushed and her resolve set. She would pay for the law suit. She would pay for her own schooling. Being broke was something that was part of her past. She could work at another firm and take care of her own shit. It would just take longer to get somewhere in life, but she would do it on her own.
*
Bethany pulled on a t-shirt and jeans before walking into the living room. Her mom held up her phone, a smile on her face.
"Looks like that cute boy from the office is calling. Tell him not to bite you again, hmmm?" Her mom laughed, tossing the phone to her, seemingly unaware of Damon sitting on the couch. He looked up at her, his head tilting to the side as if questioning her. She shrugged and took the phone in her room, no intention at all of calling Philip back until she read his text message.
Call when you can. Lost my job this morning. Hope you're okay.
"What?"
She dropped the phone on the bed and marched out to the living room, her blood on fire. Stopping in front of Damon, she reached to take the changer from him and turned the TV off.
"How dare you. Who do you think you are, fucking with people's lives? Philip is a great employee to you and insanely smart."
Damon stood, his motion causing her to stumble back.
"My company. I run it as I see fit. Your ass is next on the chopping block, so watch it."
"Why would you let him go? He was perfect for the firm. He's the one that stayed and cleaned up that mess I caused."
Her mother stuck her head in the room, her eyebrow lifted. "You guys okay?"
"Sibling fight. Stay out of it," Bethany barked. She turned her attention back to the delicious bastard before her. "Why?"
Damon took a few steps toward her, pressed himself against her and tilted her chin up to him as he whispered.
"I'm in charge. I make the rules. If you don't like them, then leave."
"He didn't deserve what you did and you know it." She jerked her face from his soft hold, the faraway look in his eyes causing her heart to hurt. He was beyond damaged, lashing out at anyone and everyone. How could anyone help mend that? Why would they want to, only to be left bruised and beaten by his attacks?
"He needed to learn his place, Beth. You do too. He wanted to swing his dick around my office and fuck around with my girl? You're lucky all I did was fire him. Beating his ass was next on my list." Damon moved back to the couch and sat, his motions heavy and filled with whatever battle he was fighting.
"Fucking around with your girl? What are you talking about?"
"Your mother told me you two had gotten together, Beth. She was going on and on about how great he sounded, about how much you seemed to like him..." He paused and pressed his hand to his eyes, his teeth grinding together. "About how you spent the night with him. And then I get a text from Sadie saying the same damn thing. What the fuck, Beth?"
"I'm not your girl, and it wasn't him I spent the night with. It was you, asshole. I would never do that to you, but you on the other hand seem to be bumping into every blond in the city. So let's make this easy for both of us."
He stood up and walked toward her as she held her hand out, her voice low and commanding.
"No. Don't come near me. You're my boss. You're my brother. And that's all the fuck you are." She turned on her heel and walked to the bedroom. Stars danced along the side of her vision, her emotions far too painful to accept.
"Beth. I didn't know... She said it was Philip." He walked after her, his tone changing, but only slightly. Bethany turned just before walking into her room, her gaze blocked by the warm liquid of regret.
"No, you didn't know. You don't know anything about me. You don't know how much Sadie hurt me, or how much it stabbed my confidence that you left without a word. That you didn't make love to me Thursday. You don't know how much I want you and that I can't stop thinking about you. That I'm a good person and would never do anything to lose trust with someone I love."
"You love me?" He took another step and stopped, his face losing color.
"Loved. Past tense. Fleeting moment of maybes. Philip learned his place and now you learn yours. Don't come near me."
"Beth..."
"Oh and fuck your internship. I quit."
She closed the door behind her and fell on her bed, the ache of loss drowning and damning.
To Be Continued …
Sneak Peek at Book 2
Chapter 1
She half expected Damon to break the door down, the loud pounding of his fists dying off much too soon. Bethany lifted her head only for a moment before letting it drop back on her hands.
"Pathetic." What did she want from him? Why did she have to be so fucking childish? I quit? A long sigh left her lips as she rolled on her back. Her phone buzzed beside her. It was Philip again. She answered it, stifling the pain and confusion that sat heavy on her.