Page 78 of The Vow

Over these many years, I’d collected bits and pieces about the personal life of the well-shielded billionaire. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to know he wasn’t interested—or turned on—by anything that wasn’t some blend of power, humiliation, and dominance. Something Damon also must’ve realized based on how he treated him, hooking him with a kind of power play that Belmont’s basest nature needed to satisfy. Even if Belmont had other options or other associates he could tap to coordinate this deal with Shazad, he wanted Damon because Damon made him believe he’d be weak to choose anyone else.

Belmont extended his arm, motioning us to follow him to a standing table positioned at the side of the stage. A security guard unhooked the velvet barrier from the stanchion and let us pass.

“I take it you’ve come to accept my terms.” The man sounded inordinately pleased with himself for winning this battle when he had no idea it would cost him the war.

“I know a good deal when I see one.” Damon reached inside his jacket, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to Belmont.

“I wondered if our last conversation would deter you.” Belmont’s smirk made my anger bubble.

“I spent months in a Japanese prison, Bernie. I’m not deterred by a little citrus.” At every turn, Damon poked another hole in his man’s ego, forcing him to stay locked in this game—in this deal—to prove he was more powerful.

Beady eyes narrowed and then dropped to the envelope, lifting the flap and pulling out the check as though he didn’t trust Damon to not have the audacity to come this far only to cheat him.

“A very generous donation,” he grunted, and I caught the endless string of zeros before he folded it back in the envelope. Another cost to Damon that I couldn’t imagine. Yes, it was money he’d procured through various illegal means, but it was still money he was giving away for me.

Belmont slid the envelope into his jacket, and I held my breath, waiting for what came next.A meeting with Shazad? A review of the partnership?

“And the other part?”

I blinked, startled by the question. I almost thought I hadn’t heard him correctly, but a ripple of tension feathered through Damon, too. My gaze slid to him, eyes narrowing on the hard knot of his jaw. He wasn’t surprised by the request. At all. He knew there was something else…yet he’d only told me about the money.

This was what he was holding back. What he’d managed to hide from me all night.

Unease crawled over my skin like an army of ants. Individually, my worries amounted to nothing, but together, they hefted a weight on my chest that was many times larger than what a single question should produce.

What hadn’t he told me? And why?

“Of course, I do. I’m a man of my word,” Damon replied, that last feeling like it was added for me.

“Everything I’ve broken was to protect you.”

My stomach caved in on itself. What was Damon going to do?What did Belmont want him to do?Considering what he’d done to my husband the last time, I was certain the additional request was something punitive. The money meant nothing to Damon, and Belmont clearly wanted something from him that would hurt.

“Well then, Mr. Remington. Impress me with your resourcefulness.” He set his meaty palm on the table and drummed his fingers.

My knuckles were white on Damon’s sleeve, and though I was sure he felt the deathlike grip on his arm, he didn’t let on.

“I have to confess. It’s my beautiful wife’s resourcefulness that I have to credit.” Damon flashed a wide smile and then slid his arm around my waist.

What was he talking about? I hadn’t done anything.

I swayed, grateful for his hold, though there was something different about it. He didn’t hold me to keep me close but to prevent me from pulling away, the subtle distinction only discernible because my brain was in overdrive.

Belmont arched a brow, his frown deepening in disbelief. “This isn’t a joke, Mr. Remington. Without?—”

“Darling, tell Bernie here how we get our information.” Damon ignored and interrupted the man and then blanketed me with a charming smile that almost choked me.

“W-what?” I stammered, bereft of any idea what I was supposed to say.

“She’s modest about her accomplishments.” Damon winked at me and then looked at Belmont again. “The veritable wizard behind the curtain.”

“Mr. Remington…” Belmont’s eyes went to his guards, who started to move closer, clearly believing Damon was setting him up.

“Calm down, old sport,” Damon chided. “I just like to give credit where credit is due, and over the years, my clever wife has built a network of ordinary spies. Invisible women who moved through this city gathering information for her at whim. Women who previously escaped the trade or other unfortunate situations. Women who became honey traps for powerful men.”

My mouth slipped open, unable to believe the knife I felt going through my back. Or was it already there? Had it always been there, and I’d been too blind to see it? To blind to think he’d use my secrets to hurt me again?

I clutched the side of Damon’s jacket, pulling on it, wanting him to stop—needing him to stop—but I couldn’t speak—couldn’t process what was happening or about to happen except that Damon had prepared for this.

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