Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“I think she is talking to us,” I said, frustrated she was here with us.
“I think so too.” Addie gave me a reassuring smile. Damn this girl was going to make it up to me later.
The three of us spent the time taking in the West End’s amazing sights, with its high-end boutiques and old-world charm. She loved being lost in this world around us. I watched as she marveled at all she saw in front of her. Chantal and I both stayed behind, letting her enjoy it all.
“She loves you,” Chantal said unexpectedly. She’d hardly spoken to me as the three of us spent the afternoon together.
“I know.”
“She told me what had happened.” That statement made me stop dead in my tracks.
“She told me because she thought she was crazy to not care as much as she should have; about your lies that is. That any normal girl would stay away from you, but I told her to follow her heart, and that in a few years’ time, what had happened won’t matter anymore. That you both will build anew.” Chantal looked at me smiling sweetly. “I might not fully know everything, but I know enough to know she wouldn’t be here with me if it wasn’t for you. Merci,” Chantal said as we continued our walk, trying to catch up to Addie.
“She’s a fighter. She would have done just fine without me,” I admitted. “The truth is I need her more than she needs me.”
“This may be true, but she and you are here now,” Chantal noted. “Addie,” she cried out. “Mon Dieu. Arrête.” Chantal left me there as she ran after Addie.
Chantal was right. No matter what, I had Addie fully and completely, and it scared the living shit out of me. No more bullshitting, no more fucking around. This girl took a leap of faith and believed in me, in us, and what we could be together. My Addie was always the fighter. She fought for her feelings, for me and for us, and I loved her even more for it. I stood back watching Addie laughing openly and happily, something I never thought I’d see.
“Daimon,” she cried out. “Come on, Mr. Evans.” She waved for me to join her.
Before I could take one step closer, my phone rang. It was my lawyers. Addie stopped and watched me as I answered my phone. I could tell she was disappointed. Fuck! I hated seeing her face change.
“Yes,” I growled.
“Mr. Evans, the court date is for tomorrow. I suggest we meet before then,” The lawyer said over the phone.
“We already met today. What more do we need to discuss?” I said through gritted teeth as I watched Addie approach me.
“Hugh refuses to listen to his own lawyers. I suggest we meet to discuss further on what to do,” my lawyer pressed on.
“What more can we do?” I bit out.
“He’s now suing for mental distress brought on by his wrongful dismissal.”
“Son of bitch, how much more does the fucker want now?” I hissed.
“One hundred million.” I stood mute. Piece of shit.
“Once I win, you will go after him and everything he owns. Understood?” I shouted through the phone.
“Yes, Mr. Evans.” The lawyer then hung up.
“Daimon, is everything okay?” Addie asked quietly.
“Everything is just fucking fine,” I snarled at her.
“Really? I can see with your sunny disposition that everything is just great,” she pushed.
“Addie,” I said as I warning.
“What?” she hissed.
“Don’t push me,” I said slowly so she could understand.
“Don’t push you? Screw off, Daimon. I’ll push if I so choose,” she retorted.
“That’s right. I forgot Addie doesn’t work anymore, so Addie doesn’t have any real problems. Well, guess what, my beloved, I still work and I have hundred million problems right now,” I shouted at her.
“Good on you, asshole. Well done. Now you’re done yelling at me, you can go and wallow in your problems,” she argued and glared at me. I remained quiet afraid to say anything further. “What? The great Daimon Evans has nothing to say? I’m astounded,” she said dryly.
I knew what she was doing. She was pushing me, wanting me to let it out, but I wanted to be left alone. Only one other time did she push too far; which I knew if I wasn’t careful, I wouldn’t be able to rein myself in. It was just before we were to get married. When I had just found out my mother left rehab and headed back to New York.
“Addie, quit it now,” I ordered her.
“Daimon—”
I turned and left her there. I knew if I remained and continued our match, I would hurt her. I would lash out and go too far, and that was not what I wanted.
Dealing
I walked back into the hotel room after a few hours with the lawyers. The bastard was grasping at anything he could. He was irrational and I was too fed up with his shit to deal with him. For almost two years I had been dealing with the Harris brothers. To be fair, Hugh was the only one suing, while his other brother seemed to have abandoned him. I walked into the darkened room finding Addie asleep in bed, her hair cascading off her pillow as she lay on her side. Watching her sleep made my irritation grow. I hated how much I couldn't be with her. After months of not having her by my side, I resented being here, all because of fucking Hugh and his interference.