Secret (Betrothed #9) - Penelope Sky Page 0,62

like a snake with pointed fangs. A bag was in each hand, and he walked down the aisle between the benches and headed straight toward me. He dropped them, the heavy weight making a loud thud.

Then more men filed in, adding more bags to the pile.

I stayed in my chair, giving no reaction because this man was my enemy.

His men left, and he remained behind.

Steel stepped back into the room. “Everything has been scanned. It’s just money.”

All I did was slightly raise my hand from the armrest to excuse him.

Steel walked out.

Now it was just the two of us.

Damien stood at the bottom of the stairs, surrounded by the money he’d brought me. Now that he was looking me in the eye for the first time since knowing the truth about Catalina and me, he was livid, his eyes spewing fire like volcanos. His arms remained by his sides, and they shook slightly, as if seeing me in the flesh made him lose all control.

I rose from my throne and took my time walking down the stairs, knowing when I got there, I’d probably get a good punch to the face. I reached the last step and stared him down, unapologetic even though I was remorseful for everything I’d done.

He stared at me for a while before he spoke. “I’m not going to take a free pass from you—because my sister can’t be bought. You’ll take every euro for the next few months just as you promised.”

I had no idea what to say to that. It was disappointing, that he betrayed everything he believed in because he was so enraged by what I’d done to his sister. Our situation was even worse than I anticipated.

“First, my father.” He held up his forefinger. “Me.” He held up another. “Annabella.” A third. “Then my sister…” He held up his fourth finger before he dropped his hand. “You came into my life and fucked with everything I care about—everyone I care about.” He stepped closer to me. “So, I’ll stop paying you because you’re dead.”

I’d dismissed everyone from the room because this conversation needed to be private, so no one would know what I’d offer him. “I’m not the same person anymore, Damien.” That woman had softened me, changed me, made me into a compassionate man who wanted to protect innocent people, not persecute them.

“I don’t care.” His lips were pressed tightly together, and his skin was stretched tight because he was so tense, so angry. “I don’t care if you’re the new fucking Pope. You’ll pay for what you did to my family.”

“I love her.” I couldn’t believe I’d just said that to another man besides my brother, wore my heart on my sleeve to my enemy. “I never meant to hurt her—”

“You didn’t hurt her.” He stepped closer. “You fucking destroyed her. She’s the strongest and most fearless person I know, and now she’s dead inside. She doesn’t laugh. She doesn’t smile. Her spunk, her passion, everything is gone.” He pushed me in the chest. “Because of you.”

I stepped back and didn’t retaliate.

“And I’m going to kill you for that.”

“Don’t underestimate her,” I whispered. “A woman like that doesn’t let anyone defeat her.”

He didn’t react to the compliment, staying cold.

“I fell in love with her, Damien. And I would do anything to take it back.”

That meant nothing to him.

“I’ll apologize. I’ll pay reparations. I’ll do anything to make this right—”

“You can never make this right.” He shook his head. “Unless you’re dead.”

“You know she loves me…”

“No, she doesn’t,” he said immediately. “She feels nothing—like I already said.” He turned away. “I’m coming for you, Heath. You still have time to run if you want to keep breathing.”

I took a deep breath, overwhelmed by the mess I’d made. “Damien.”

He turned back around, his eyes sinister.

“I can give you what you want.”

He stilled, unsure what that meant.

“The one thing you want more than anything—I can give it to you.”

He completely turned my way, pivoting his body so his stance mirrored mine. He was either tempted by the offer or simply curious about what I had to say.

“I’ll give you all of Italy. Completely your terrain. No competitors. No taxes.” I offered something no one ever had, and I would pay dearly for it. I would have to shut down all my other clients, and there would definitely be backlash for it, possibly my resignation, but I had to put out this fire.

He cocked his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as he slowly took