But she had me once, and I’d never go there again.
I’d found a girl who was perfect for me.
“I’m sorry, Vanessa. But I am. I wrote that song about someone else, and I haven’t thought about you or our relationship since I told her about my past.” I watched as the light behind her eyes faded. “You were the last thing on my mind when I wrote that song.”
Vanessa began shaking her head uncontrollably. “No. No. That’s a lie!”
“You need to leave. I don’t have time for this.”
“You’re being heartless. Don’t you still love me?”
She reached out and grabbed me, her bony fingers digging into my skin. I pulled my arm out of her grasp as irritation coursed through me. “No. I don’t.”
“But the song!”
“What do you want, Vanessa? Why did you come here? You and I both know it wasn’t about the song or whether you still loved me. You came here for something, so spit it out.”
“How can you be so cruel, Damien?”
“Because you have never been truthful with me, and I no longer have to listen to it. So cut the bullshit, Vanessa. What do I have to do for you to leave?”
She crossed her arms, showing off her pouty lips once more. “I really did love you, Damien.”
“In the best way that you could. But we’ve both moved on, and there is no reason to rehash the past. So get the fuck out.”
Vanessa’s gaze flicked down to theduffel in my hand, noticing for the first time I’d been carrying it. “Going somewhere? Maybe to see the girl you actually wrote the song for?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Vanessa, my patience with you is growing very thin.”
“I could make it hard on you. Follow you around. Go to the press about your arrest and abuse. Have the tabloids pay me for my story. I hadn’t even thought about it until some guy found me and started asking questions.”
Fucking Elijah.Why was he the root of all of my problems?
I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my anger before I snapped. “This is the last time I’m asking, then I’m throwing your ass out. What do you want?”
“I want you. It’s as simple as that.”
“No. What you want is my money. That’s all I’ve ever been to you, a walking ATM.”
“That’s not true.”
“I’m not interested. Now leave.”
Vanessa moved closer to me, putting her chest against mine. “I can really fuck up your new relationship, Damien. Don’t tempt me.”
I squeezed my fists as my pulse hammered in my ears. I leaned in close to her, our noses almost touching. “Just try it and see what happens,” I growled between clenched teeth.“I’m not the lovesick puppy I was before. You saw to that. If you do anything to try to hurt the people I love, I will sue you for defamation and send your ass to jail for possession. I’m sure you’ve got some on you right now.”
Standing to my full height, I dropped my water bottle and duffle bag on the floor before I grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her toward the door.
She tried to twist her arm out of my grasp. “Stop. You’re hurting me.”
Yanking open the door, I shoved her outside. “I’ve repeatedly asked you to get out, and this is private property. And if I were you, I wouldn’t take my threats lightly.”
I slammed the door as her jaw dropped in a perfect ‘O’.
