Page 12 of Vow to Hate You

While our families were upstanding members of society, it didn’t mean they didn’t have their businesses connected to more…shady practices. Our parents would do anything to hold their power and wealth. Something Talie was more than aware of.

“We’re having lunch tomorrow,” I informed her. “With your father, and mine. After you tell them you’re here to stay, we can start discussing how we’re going to deal with living together.”

“How about I get my own place, so I never have to see you,” she shot back. “I’m not living here with you.”

“Where would you get the funds for that?” I strode toward her, and she backed into the counter. “Or did you save some of the money you stole from me?”

She lifted her chin defiantly, not saying a word.

“Where have you been the last five years, Natalia?” I asked, using her full name only because it infuriated her.

Her eyes flashed dangerously before she smirked. “Having sex—with whoever I wanted. Your money let me travel everywhere. I’ve fucked on nearly every continent. Thanks for funding my lifestyle.”

I gritted my teeth, my eyes locked on hers. I was positive she was lying, but it didn’t stop the anger from ripping through me.I wished I could say it was only about her usingmymoney. But it wasn’t. The thought of other men touching her had me seeing fucking red.

Instead of letting her get the rise out of me she wanted, I forced myself to relax. Lifting my hand, I snagged a lock of her hair, twirling it around my finger. Her palms were braced on the counter behind her, and she stood absolutely still as she glowered at me.

“I hope you got it all out of your system,” I murmured, my voice deadly soft. “Because you’re back now. You want sex? You come to your husband. I’ll be the only one you come for after tonight.”

“Fuck off,” she bit out, rage brewing in her vibrant green eyes. “Sex was never part of why we agreed to marry. It was all business, Damian. As long as we’re discreet, we can both do whatever we want. I’m sure you get more than enough action at that club of yours.”

I didn’t tell her I’d never slept with any woman who came into my club. I kept pleasure and business completely separate. I’d spent the last few years working my ass off to get my club where it was today.

I took a deep breath before stepping back, deciding I was done arguing for tonight. Keeping her purse in my hand, I turned to head for the bathroom.

“I’m taking a shower,” I said without looking at her. “Make yourself at home.”

She grumbled something under her breath I didn’t catch while I strode into the bathroom. I closed the door, locking it behind me before tossing her purse on the long granite counter. The bathroom was as spacious and updated as the rest of my studio. There were double sinks and a large walk-in shower with two waterfall shower heads.

After turning on the water, I unbuttoned my shirt, stripping out of it. I couldn’t hear anything over the running water, but hoped she wasn’t destroying my apartment. She had to live here too, so whatever she did, she’d have to deal with. After undoing my slacks, I let them fall to the floor before pulling off the rest of my clothes.

I stepped under the hot water, closing the glass door as steam filled the room. I rested my palms on the wall, letting the water run down me. Life was going to change now that she was home. Hopefully, for the better. Now, our parents wouldn’t be breathing down my neck. But I had a feeling she wasn’t going to make my life easy. She didn’t want to be here…but neither did I. She had five years of freedom while I stayed.

I squeezed some shampoo in my palm, washing my hair as my mind stayed on Talie. Until I heard a noise over the water. I stilled for a moment, trying to see through the foggy glass before opening the shower door.

My eyes widened in shock to see Talie reaching for her purse. A long metal skewer that I kept in a kitchen drawer was on the floor next to her. She fucking picked the bathroom lock.

She turned to glance at the shower, freezing when she caught me staring.

“Don’t you dare,” I warned her in a low voice.

Instead of answering me, she snatched her purse off the counter, then bolted out of the bathroom.

CHAPTER 6

damian

“Fucking hell,” I muttered, shoving the shower door open the rest of the way.

Soap still covered my body and hair, but I didn’t have time to rinse it off. I grabbed the towel from the hook, wrapping it around my waist as I raced out of the bathroom. She knew the only chance of her leaving again would be tonight—before we had lunch with the families tomorrow. Once she saw her father, there was no way she could talk her way out of this. She’d be here to stay. Something she was clearly desperate to avoid.

Water splashed on the hardwood floor when I left the bathroom, and I saw her sliding the deadbolt.

“Natalia. Stop,” I hissed, crossing the room while securing the towel around my waist.

Her body tensed, but she didn’t stop what she was doing. When the lock disengaged, she reached for the doorknob, twisting it open as I lunged at her. A spew of curses left my mouth when I slipped on the hardwood, crashing into her instead of grabbing her like I’d planned.

“Oh my God,” she screeched, flailing around. She was smooshed between me and the door. “Get off me, Damian. You’re getting me all wet.”

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