Page 6 of Rekindling Desire

The last few hours came back to me in a whirlwind of pictures and snippets of time. The memories faded as I looked into Ella’s blue eyes. “My bride,” I whispered.

She nodded. “That makes you my groom.”

Her eyes closed as our lips touched.

My sister’s applause reminded me that we weren’t alone.

I squeezed Ella’s hands. “You amaze me.”

Possessively placing my hand in the small of Ella’s back, we thanked Pastor Abrams for her time and services as she again promised to come through with the license. Turning, I met the stare of my brother. He and Amber stood and made their way to the front of the chapel.

Darius offered his hand. “Congratulations on your marriage. Sunday wedding and all. Hope you can make it legal.”

Refusing his handshake, I pulled Ella to my side. “Dad is going to recover.”

He turned to Ella. “If that’s the case, you chained yourself to this guy for no good reason.”

“I have a good reason,” she replied with her chin high. “It’s called love.”

Amber huffed.

That’s right, bitch. The rebuttal was on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I spoke to both of them. “And I hope you’re both very happy with one another. Your marriage won’t secure Sinclair for either of you.” I turned my stare to Amber. “And I hope you’re happy with a downgrade.”

Amber lunged forward, her palm striking my cheek.

Ella’s body stiffened beneath my touch as Darius pulled his wife a step back, keeping his arms around her.

Without a flinch, I added, “Discussions of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals as well as the addendum are officially tabled.”

Struggling against Darius’s hold, Amber pressed forward. “My mother is calling the members of the board for an emergency meeting. It’s going to happen.”

Taking a step closer, I stood tall. My words came staccato, seeping from between my clenched teeth. “All. Business. Will. Wait. Until. We. Have. More. News. About. Dad.” My nostrils flared. “This discussion is over.”

Darius attempted to return civility to the conversation. “As a family, we need to show unity and make a public move before consumer confidence—”

My volume rose, reverberating throughout the small chapel. “I am CEO. Dad’s condition—" My hands balled to fists at my side. “This conversation is over.”

There were too many things happening out of my control.

My skin felt taut as my inability to fix everything or anything ate at my insides.

I reached for Ella’s hand. “Come with me.”

Ella nodded as I led her out of the chapel and down the empty hallways.

I’d been in this damn hospital for more than a few days before, yet I wasn’t sure where I was leading Ella until I saw the sign.

“Damien?” she questioned as I led her toward a single bathroom.

“Privacy.”

Ella seemed to accept my answer.

As I pulled open the door, the rush of emotions from moments ago raced through my circulation. There was the elation that Ella was now mine in every way. That said, I couldn’t ignore the nagging sadness and worry about my father. Those emotions were far from the only ones coursing through me. There was the continued shock at Darius and Amber’s announcement. Rage that Amber and her mother planned to take advantage of Sinclair during this vulnerable time.

However, as Ella stepped inside the ten-by-six-foot room and I turned and bolted the door, one sensation overtook the others. Control. I needed it. I thrived on it. I’d let it slip away, and I wanted it back. Before Ella could say a word, her chin was in my grasp, my hand lifting her mouth to mine.

Wife.

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