Page 71 of I Promise You
“You’re Danny’s dad?”
22
ARI
“My name is Damian Rider. Daniel Rider is my only child. My only son. The most lethal operator in military history.”
Why is he talking about him like that’s his only identity? Like that is what Danny only is to him?
“I am aware of that.”
“Is there a place we can speak more privately?” His question sounds more like an order.
“Umm...”
The break room?
No, there will be too many people.
I look for the closest room possible, anxious to hear what he has to say. The fact that he came to my job to talk with no warnings or heads-up intrigues me.
“There’s an empty hospital room we don’t usually use for patients. It’s being remodeled. We can talk there.”
His lips curve into a devilish grin, satisfied with my answer.
“Lead the way.” He bows, throwing his hand in front of him.
It doesn’t take long until we reach Room 12. It sits at the very end of a hall, far from the chaos that is the ER. It hasn’t been used in weeks.
One cleanly made bed with fresh sheets sits in the middle. A sink with a mirror. And a counter with a faucet and napkins in a corner.
Your typical hospital room.
Damian closes the door behind him, sending me into a slight jump of nerves.
I don’t think I like this…at all.
“So you’re dating my son.”
I nod. He doesn’t waste any time getting right into what he came here for.
“Grim Reaper is what everyone calls him, and they call him that for excellent reasons, Ms. Alvarez.”
He walks by me, his shoes clacking with each step as he passes. I step away, creating distance between us.
The aura he gives me isn’t good. I can feel the tension he’s trying to hide underneath his expensive suit and tie.
He looks out the window at the courtyard, pulling the blinds down, then turns around.
“You know he’s more than just a Navy SEAL, right?” I can't help but feel protective of him. With the insight Danny has given me about his father, I almost want to curse at him.
I’ve only been in the same room with Damian for less than a minute, and I can see why their relationship is so estranged.
This man radiates a frozen hell and not in a good way.
He scoffs, chuckling as he shakes his head.
“You don’t get it. A woman like you will never get it.”
