“How the hell are you surviving with him?” Rafe asked me as he thumbed at Daimon.
“I drink a lot,” I mocked.
“Makes sense,” Rafe laughed.
“Enough!” Daimon scowled.
“Oh, my God, Addie,” Jessica cried out as she waved frantically once we had stepped in. Daimon had hired her to do the event for him. “How have you been?” she smiled.
“Jessica, this place looks fantastic,” I said, looking around in awe. Long white drapes cascaded down to beautifully set tables with tea lights and a stunning arrangements of large branches with white blooms. The lighting was elegant and the music was soothing.
“I’m glad you love it. Come, I have your table ready and waiting for you.” She smiled sweetly as she led us to the table that was in the middle of the room.
“Well done.” Rafe smacked Daimon on his back. Jessica had led me to my seat and on my plate was a small elegant bouquet of white peonies.
“What’s this?” I asked Daimon, picking them up and smelling them.
“Think of it as an incentive,” he said alluringly.
“Bite me,” I said under my breath. Daimon smiled confidently as he leaned in closer.
“If that’s what you like.” I stopped myself from rolling my eyes and sat down.
The night was arduous and long. Anyone who was anyone in the business world had shown up and were busy ass kissing both Daimon and Rafe. I was introduced but was quickly dismissed when Daimon was preoccupied. Apparently, I wasn’t important enough to speak to. I felt my purse vibrate. I’d received a text from Elissa wishing me a Merry Christmas. I texted her back that I missed her and I wanted to see her soon. She said only after the holidays. I grew sad, feeling lonely at one of the busiest parties I had ever been to. Walking over to the bar, I hoped a whiskey would do the trick.
“Glenmorangie, neat,” I said to the bartender.
“Good choice.” I heard an older man say to me as he came up and stood by the bar.
“Thank you,” I nodded. “Would you like one as well?” I asked, trying to get the bartender’s attention.
“A scotch,” he said. I ordered it and we both drank.
The man was older and seems somewhat severe in his manner. I could feel no warmth in him as he drank his scotch smiling at me.
“Daimon was always very good at making deals and getting what he wanted,” the man started.
“Yes, I know,” I said, remembering our fights over our contracts.
“You must be quite good at it too. You are pretty, but not enough for him to lose focus on the real goal, and yet here you are standing in a room filled with people who are far above your station,” the man said callously.
“Excuse me?” I said meekly, afraid of where this was going.
“I cannot believe my son would stoop to someone so beneath him. I raised him to take over the business world, not destroy himself with someone like you.”
I chuckled. I mean I really chuckled. This was Daimon’s father. It was no wonder Daimon didn’t understand emotions; the man who raised him was deprived of any humanity.
“Answer me this, young Addie. How does a young girl like you, with no real education, a destitute father and a dead mother, get her hands on Daimon? Did you whore yourself?” His cruel questions ate away at my confidence. “Is it the sex? Do you offer him something others don’t? He could easily pay for that. Could it be you blackmailed him? Because, sweetheart, you are no looker, not enough to ruin a promising career over,” he continued to berate me. “So tell me!” he insisted, but I stayed mute.
“How much? How much will it take for you to leave him? I’ll pay you twice what he has,” he said bluntly.
“He loves…”
“Don’t you dare say he loves you. I don’t believe it,” he said snapped.
“I think I should be going now,” I muttered as I tried to gather my bearings.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” he said fiercely as he stopped me. “We need to figure out a pleasant way for you to go away.”
“Dad,” Daimon said low so no one around us would hear him. My gazed focused only on Daimon, wanting him to make this all stop. “Addie, meet your father-in-law,” Daimon said curtly.
“I met him,” I murmured.
“So tell me, Dad, do you not think Addie the most beautiful creature in here?” Daimon taunted.
My very core sunk lower, knowing Daimon was now using me to goad his father. Once again, I was a mere toy to be used when needed.
“She’s pleasant, but I do think there are others who are far more your league,” Daimon’s father answered rudely.