“My mother died in a filthy apartment after leading an impossibly hard life. I swore to her I’d seek revenge, and I will. You were just a convenient step at getting Joseph and George’s children to trust me. Once they do, I can get to their fathers, and they’ll pay – they’ll pay for what they put my mother through, for the loss of my sister, for the hell I endured as a child.”
Damien took a breath, not backing up even the slightest as he pushed his words out through his teeth.
No. He didn’t have the facts right. She knew Joseph and George. They would never be that cold-hearted.
“They would’ve helped your mom if she asked,” Sierra said, regretting her words instantly when she saw the fire flare in his eyes.
“She went to them. She begged for their help, and they shut the door in her face, saying they wanted nothing to do with her or her bastard son,” he seethed.
“That can’t be true. I won’t believe it,” Sierra said, her own anger rising at his ill will of this family she loved.
“Believe it. The world isn’t all fairy tales and pixie dust, Sierra. You need to grow up and face reality. You’ve signed on to help me, and if you go back on your word, I’ll return you to your father and you can face his wrath,” Damien threatened.
Sierra would face a thousand lashes from her father to save her friend. Even though she in no way wanted to return to the horrible man, being away from him for a few weeks had strengthened her in many ways. She still feared him, knew he’d come through on his threats and kill her if he so deemed, but for some reason, the longer she was away, the more she realized what a weak man her father truly was.
If he wanted her dead, she’d already be gone. No, death wasn’t what Douglas wanted for her, he wanted her miserable. Once she stopped giving him the power over her, the thrill would be gone and he’d stop. If not, she’d rather die than live with him again.
Her mind whirled as she tried to figure out why Damien felt so hostile toward the Anderson’s. If she rushed to Bree and told her everything, she wouldn’t learn the rest of Damien’s plan. She needed more information, what his next move would be. If he really knew these people who he thought had wronged him, he’d realized how mistaken he was. The Anderson’s were truly good.
“What’s the matter, Sierra? Will daddy cut you off of your colossal allowance if you displease him? He assured me you’d do whatever I want. Well, the cards are on the table – how much is your integrity worth?” he mocked.
Sierra narrowed her instantly rage filled eyes. Let him think what he wanted. She’d rather he thought she was a greedy socialite than him knowing the reality of the years of abuse she’d suffered, of how long she’d been nothing more than a weak, pathetic, beaten-down child. She’d never get the image of her father’s hand rising high in the air, only to slam down on her innocent flesh, out of her head.
Maybe it was the years she’d taken care of her sister, or the countless times she’d needed rescuing and no one came, but she felt a desire to fix Damien. She had to mend the fences between him and his family. She was clueless on how she was going to do it and she had a feeling she’d despise Damien by the time it was all over, but maybe their family would be healed, and her best friend safe.
She couldn’t seem to get words past her throat to either confirm or deny his accusations, but by the smile on his lips, he already knew what she’d say.
“I knew the thought of losing all that precious money would make you more cooperative. You’re no better than those greedy bastards who couldn’t bother to help a widow and her infant child,” he snarled before his hand came up, causing her to visually flinch, though he only gripped the back of her head.
The heat of his breath brushed across her lips sending flames shooting to her core.
Sierra was repulsed at the renewed desire burning inside her. She hated him in that moment, but yet her body still yearned for his touch. She wished she could pull away, but her body wouldn’t obey her mind.
His thumb traced her cheek, softly wiping a single anger filled tear making its way down her face. He brushed over her lip just as her tongue rushed out to moisten it again, the taste of salt from her tear instantly filling her mouth. His eyes dilated as she brought her tongue back inside.
“I’m not going to be used, Damien. You just said I’m nothing but a convenient step to you, yet you want me to turn over and forget all of that,” Sierra said, trying to keep a clear head.
“I said that’s how it started, Sierra. It’s more, much more now. I can’t resist you. I need you – need you more than anything else in this world right now. I…I can’t explain what you’re doing to me. You chase it all away.”