Page 125 of Vow to Hate You

“Why didn’t you spend it?” I repeated. “This time, I want the truth.”

She sighed contently, my massage clearly relaxing her. “I knew what the money meant to you. I wanted to hurt you when I left, but not that much. I was always going to give it back.” She hesitated. “But now I feel bad. If I hadn’t taken it, then you never would have gone into business with Percy.”

“Don’t regret the past,” I said quietly. “It’s done. You spent five years away from me, and since you’re back, I have every intention of savoring every damn day with you.”

I trailed my fingertips up her spine before massaging her neck. She didn’t say a word, her low moans keeping my dick rockhard. I’d have to deal with it later since I wasn’t rubbing her body for sexual gratification. This was because I loved having my hands on her, and it was making her happy.

“Do you think we’re really free?” she whispered. “That my dad will leave me alone?”

I leaned over, kissing her shoulder. “I swear to you, Talie. You’re free to do whatever you want.”

She raised up on her elbows. “What if I don’t want to live here? What if I want to travel or start fresh somewhere else?”

“Then we move.”

“Your club is here.”

“We’re talking of expanding. Pick a place, and I’ll open another one wherever you want to go.”

Her lips parted. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly.”

Her eyes glittered as she grinned. “What if I want to move to Alaska?”

“Please.” I laughed, pulling her into my chest with one arm when she sat up. “You love the music scene far too much to move somewhere so desolate.”

She snuggled against me as we lay there in silence. Soon, her breaths evened out as she fell back asleep. I kissed the top of her head, tightening my hold on her. While I loved Club Facade, I was telling her the truth. I would be more than happy to move. Ash, Rhyett, and I had been talking about opening another club.

It was easy to guess why Talie wanted to leave. Everyone knew her here as Jude’s daughter and my wife. There was no getting away from the gossip and rumors of our world. Even if we separated from our families, we would always be tied to them here.

If she wanted to leave, then we’d leave.

CHAPTER 49

talie

I was sitting in the front row between Char and her friends. The music was blaring, and I glanced up at the DJ booth with a smile. While I wasn’t the one working tonight, I’d helped with the playlist. The atmosphere was as electric as it was the first night I set foot in Club Facade. Every seat was full, and the dancers were coming on stage.

I spotted Damian immediately when his eyes found mine. His mask was in place, but it didn’t hide his smoldering grin. My stomach fluttered as I appreciated how hot my husband was. His muscles flexed as he began dancing, and when he turned, my gaze trailed over his back tattoo. His arm was bandaged since his stitches were still in, but it wasn’t stopping him from working tonight. It had been a little over a week since Percy had shot him, and the way life had changed still had me in a tailspin.

My father had only called me once, trying to convince me to change Damian’s mind about the contract. When I sided with my husband, he screamed and argued before hanging up. I hadn’t heard a word from him since. Char told me he hadn’t talked about me at all.

He wasn’t intervening, though it didn’t mean he wasn’t watching. Any time I went out in public, I was sure there werepeople seeing me and reporting back to him. It didn’t matter if my father wasn’t speaking to me. If I was living here, then I would always be worried about him somehow intruding into my life.

“This place isn’t quite the same when I now know your husband and his best friend are on the stage,” Char yelled in my ear before laughing. “I’m sure you’re loving it.”

I grinned. “I am.”

“Are you going to miss it?”

My stomach flipped when I tore my eyes from the stage to look at her. “I’ll miss you.”

She rolled her eyes, knocking her shoulder into me. “Miss me when? Once I graduate, I’m coming to the West Coast to live with you.”

I messed with my black mask, returning my attention to Damian. He’d been talking nonstop about our move, and it seemed like he was more excited than I was. I’d only brought up the idea once, but he began planning immediately, which took me by surprise. I didn’t think he’d want to leave his club.

He was doing it for me.

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