Page 48 of Vow to Hate You

“Who is this?” Percy asked, his leering gaze making me tense as he strode forward, coming closer.

“My wife,” Damian answered, his voice holding a dangerous warning that shot a shiver through me.

Percy blinked in surprise as he cleared his throat. “You’ve been hiding her all these years? Though, I can see why. She is absolutely stunning.”

I couldn’t contain my snort as his eyes trailed down my baggy t-shirt and sweats. If my father found out I was dressed like this in front of someone in his business world, he’d be mortified. Damian wrapped his arm around my waist before kissing me on the temple. Percy halted a couple feet away, his stare still locked on me.

“She is stunning,” Damian agreed, threat still clear in his voice. “Since we’ve established that, you can stop eye fucking her when her husband is right here.”

My jaw dropped at Damian’s words. Percy was definitely not a business associate of the Valentin family. Percy bristled, straightening his spine. It didn’t help since Damian was at least two inches taller than him.

“We need to talk,” Percy snapped. “Right now.”

Damian’s jaw ticked. “Go upstairs, Natalia. I’ll be up soon.”

I frowned, glancing at my now cold food. I barely ate and was still starving. Plus, I wouldn’t be seeing Damian upstairs, since I had no intention of sharing a room with him. But now wasn’t the time to argue.

“I’ll have Harry bring you up a plate,” he said in a low voice, leading me toward the door. “This won’t take long.”

“Take all the time you need,” I said under my breath, keeping our conversation private. “I’m not the wife who waits up for her husband to come to bed.”

He gave a forced chuckle. “No, you’re not. You’re the wife who loves to drive her husband insane. But it’s okay. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

He gently pushed me into the hall, but instead of going upstairs, I wandered toward the kitchen. I could get my own food, and it wasn’t like I had anything else to do. I wasn’t ready to lock myself in the bedroom yet.

Though, I planned to make sure I avoided Damian the rest of the night. I didn’t need a repeat of what happened in the dining room.

CHAPTER 20

damian

I really fucking hated Percy Collins.

I detested him before now, but he only made it worse by bursting in on me and Talie. She dropped her guard when I had her on the table, and I’d been hoping to open up a conversation where we could make this marriage tolerable for both of us. More than tolerable—I wanted to make our relationship work. Something I planned to talk to her about during dinner. But the second we got interrupted, I witnessed her walls shooting back up. Any talk I wanted to have wasn’t going to happen now.

“What do you want?” I clipped out, crossing my arms as I stayed near the door.

“Wasn’t she away at school?” Percy asked, ignoring my question. “I wasn’t aware she was home.”

“Why would you be aware of that?” I asked, letting my eyes grow cold as I stared at him. “She has nothing to do with our business. Stay the hell away from my wife, Percy. Or we’re going to have problems.”

His face flushed, his lips pressing together. He wanted to act like he was some kind of head boss, when in reality, he was a seedy motherfucker who would be nothing if he wasn’t leechingoff me. I couldn’t wait for the day I could cut him the hell off from everything.

“You should take that as a compliment,” he snapped. “Having a woman like her on your arm is gold in this world.”

I flexed my fingers, sucking in a deep breath to stay calm. He’d love it if I swung at him. The amount of money he could drain from me to cover up an assault charge would put me back in fucking debt.

“She should work in the club,” he continued, his eyes darting to the door where Talie had exited. “She’d turn heads in all the right ways.”

“This is the last time I’m going to say it,” I forced out through clenched teeth. “My wife has nothing to do with business. She won’t be working at the club. You won’t be talking to her. So fucking drop it. Tell me what you want or get the hell out of my home.”

His eyes glittered, a smirk tipping up his lips. I’d just revealed that Talie was a way he could get under my skin. Let him try. He wouldn’t get close to her—I’d make sure he never even spoke to her. I didn’t trust him with business, and I sure as hell didn’t trust him around Talie.

“I want to expand,” he drawled, swiping a hand through his hair. “We should open another club.”

“No.” My answer was sharp as I glared at him. “You and I will not be expanding on anything.”

He scowled. “It would be a great opportunity to double what we’re making now. Don’t let your personal thoughts cloud your judgment, Damian. You’re a businessman first.”

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