His Vengeance, Marriage and a Baby: He hated her for cockolding him with his brother. Now he wanted vengeance.

by Sabel Simmons

  “What … about Zoey.”

  His eyes misted over and now he swallowed painfully.

  “She belongs with her mother. I would only ask that she comes to visit at least every second weekend.”

  “How long do you perceive this … break away to be for?”

  “I wish I knew!”

  Tears trickled over her cheeks and Amber shook her head.

  “She won’t come with me, you know. You have become the center of her world. I might survive but she won’t. If I … agree to this … it will be with the knowledge that I go alone and leave my baby behind. I suppose it is only fair … you had to make do without her a lot longer.”

  “That was not my intention and I would still insist she goes with you.”

  “But if she doesn’t you won’t put pressure on her?” She waited for his nod. She fiddled with her laptop keys. Her eyes were crystal clear when she looked at him.

  “I need you to know, Damien, that I have loved you from when I was sixteen years old. That has never changed, and I don’t perceive it to ever do. But if you need this time, then so be it …”

  “You have to promise me, Amber that you will think this through properly. I am not the man I was eleven years ago and I know I am never going to be that man ever again. You need to make sure it is me … this man sitting here … that you love and not the memory of eleven years ago.”

  Amber visibly started. She never thought about it like that at all and she acknowledged that he has changed … he in fact has become a totally different man.

  “I suppose you have a point. What are we going to tell Zoey? I do not want her to become guilt driven about this.”

  “I’ll think of something. If she wants to stay here, she can go and visit you as often as she wants or needs to.”

  “You … you don’t want us anymore?”

  Zoey’s voice sounded like a five year olds’. Hurt and lost. Damien immediately pulled her on his lap and hugged her tight.

  “My darling girl that is not what I said. You have become my life and I will never be able to live without you in it ever again.”

  “Then you … don’t want … Mommy anymore?”

  “Zoey … grown-ups sometimes have things they need to sort out. Daddy and I … we have been apart for a long time and we need to …”

  “No! When you got married, you promised to love and honor each other! Living apart is not doing that! How can you work problems out if you’re thousands of miles apart? It is not fair, Mommy! I don’t … want to leave! You can’t make me!”

  She ripped from Damien’s arms and ran upstairs crying. Damien leaned his head wearily back against the couch. He stiffened when he felt Amber climb on top of him, straddling him and leaned against him. She wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her lips against his throat. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her so tight, she battled to breathe.

  “She’s ten years old and she throws a whopper of an argument.”

  “Yes, she does, but I also agree with you. You need closure and I am willing to give it to you.”

  “Don’t you feel you need it too? Are you really confident that what we think we feel and have is real? Especially under the circumstances that lead to it.”

  Amber sat back and looked into his shuttered eyes.

  “Damien … you did not force me to marry you. I chose to … and if I had to choose again, I would make the same choice. Every single step I took, I did it willingly and with an open mind. The only thing that you have to promise me is to forget that he even touched me. I can’t live with you knowing it is a vision in your head every time you touch me.”

  “Don’t you think I don’t know that? It is the one thing I need to work through … and it is ridiculous for a man my age to still allow something that happened so long ago to rule his emotions, but I need some time.”

  “I am willing to give you that time, but please don’t cut me off completely. Phone me and talk to me.”

  She leaned forward, took his face between her hands and kissed him tenderly on his lips. She pushed off his lap and turned towards the stairs.

  “I’ll go and talk to Zoey and then I’ll pack. I want to leave today still.”

  “No, you don’t have to leave straight away.”

  Amber looked at him sadly.

  “No, my love, if I don’t leave today, I might not get myself to do so at all.”

  She ran upstairs and forced her tears back. She found Zoey lying on her bed, tears still on her cheeks. When she noticed Amber at the door, she turned on her side away from her. She sat down on the bed next to her and gently stroked her back.

  “Baby girl, you know we love you very much! Neither one of us want to be without you and it is going to … nearly kill me … to go without you, but …”

  “NO! You can’t go! Mommy, please …”

  She jumped on her knees and wrapped her arms around Amber’s neck. She swallowed hard and held her close. She pushed her back and looked deep into her eyes.

  “Honey … I have to … I have to do this to secure our future as a family together. You can come and visit me every weekend if you want to.”

  “Every weekend? How long are you going to be away?”

  “I … am not sure, honey. I am going to miss you so much! You have to look after Daddy for me … promise me you’ll make sure he eats well and don’t work too hard. Will you please come and help me pack?”

  “Now! When are you leaving?”

  “Later today … it is better this way, darling. Otherwise I might not be able to leave at all!”

  She diligently helped Amber pack and she even managed to get her to smile and laugh at her stupid jokes. She went downstairs to call Damien to fetch the luggage. Amber avoided his eyes and picked up one duffel bag and walked downstairs and directly to his SUV parked out front. He arranged for the company jet and handed her a large manila envelope when they got into the vehicle.

  “All the details of who you need to meet with are in there. Your apartment address, bank and credit cards and your passport is in there. I have arranged for a vehicle for you and it will be at the apartment.”

  She stuffed the envelope in her laptop bag and leaned back in her seat, her head turned to the widow. It still felt so unreal … so quick … so like it is the end, and she could not prevent the tears she has been forcing back the whole day to roll over her cheeks.

  Zoey was the one that asked all the questions. What the bank and credit card details were, how big the apartment was, was it furnished and what make of car. Damien drove directly onto the private airfield and stopped next to the Company jet. Amber got out immediately and with Zoey’s hand clasped tightly in hers took the stairs into the plane. She handed her bags to the hostess and turned to hug Zoey tight, her heart thumping in her throat, her eyes closed tight.

  “Remember your promise, baby girl. I am going to miss you!”

  Then Damien stood in front of her and reached for her. She took a step back and held a hand up, shaking her head.

  “No … I can’t … not now … I can’t say goodbye now … not while it might be … farewell … please, just go.”

  He shook his head, a small wry smile on his lips. “It will never be farewell for us, beautiful … never. I’ll phone you tonight. Be safe.”

  He took Zoey's hand and they turned towards the door. Zoey crying softly against Damien’s arm.

  Amber fell asleep as soon as they took to the air. Her emotions and lack of sleep over the past few weeks catching up with her. She jarred awake when the wheels of the plane touched the tarmac and sighed with relief. She slept through the worst flight of her life and felt slightly better. There was an airline shuttle waiting outside that took her to the apartment, a few blocks from the airport.

  She walked around the apartment in awe. It was very luxurious and had everything that opened and closed. She sighed heavily and unpacked her bags. She took the manila envelope with her and sank down on the plush couch in the lounge. She read all the
information meticulously compiled about the job, who her direct reports were and who she reported to. Her full function was described as a consultant to ensure proper controls and efficiencies were in place. She sighed in relief. It was clearly a part time function. His intention was not to just get rid of her. For the first time since they had the discussion she could breathe easier.

  Chapter Nineteen

  After so many months of just lazing around, Amber enjoyed the challenges the assignment offered. She put in long hours and fell into bed dead tired at night to fall asleep almost immediately. Even over weekends she spent most of her time at the office. It was the only way she could survive.

  It has been nearly two months and she has only seen Zoey twice. Soon after she left for LAX, she was selected as one of the top students to join a global team of kids on an exchange student trip. She has been in Europe for the past month.

  Talking to her on the phone was not the same and she missed her terribly. Damien phoned her twice a week. They spoke only briefly about the work and a lot about Zoey, but never about them. Amber knew she missed him like crazy within the first week apart. She also did a lot of retrospection and knew she still loved him. She loved him for the man she remembered and she loved him more for the man he has become.

  He was ruthless and hard, yes, but so was he tender, loving and considerate. He did things without realizing it. Things that proved the old Damien was still there. He was not lost to all the hate he carried within him for years.

  How he cared for her after he hurt her, never voicing his regret at the time, but his actions bespoke of it. The care and meaning behind the wedding ring he chose for her, the perfect wedding and honeymoon. He was not lost to her. She already knew what was in her heart. How much more time did he need? What did she have to do to make him see they were still meant to be together?

  Just then her phone rang and his name flashed on the screen. She bit her lip and swiped to answer.

  “Hi Damien.”

  “Amber. How are you?”

  “Same as always, I imagine.” Damien frowned at her abrupt response.

  “What’s wrong, Amber?”

  “Why would there be anything wrong?”

  “You don’t sound like yourself tonight.”

  “I don’t? Well that’s funny. Just exactly how would you know what I usually sound like? You never once during the past nearly two months asked me one personal question.”

  “Amber …”

  “How much more time do you need, Damien? I want to come home! I need to come home!”

  “Zoey is still going to be gone for another month, honey.”

  “I am well aware how much longer she is going to be gone. She is not the reason I am here, Damien and I still need to come home!”

  “I am on my way to Russia as we speak. I am looking into a merger with an Airline there.”

  “I see. Have you even given any thought to us?”

  “Every second of every day.”

  “Then why don’t you say something. Why always only talk about Zoey, work and generalities? I can’t stand this any longer, Damien.”

  “Honey … I plan on being here for two weeks. Then we’ll talk.”

  “That’s it? That is really all you are willing to give me?”

  “Bloody hell! Amber, it is not the type of discussion we should have over a phone!”

  “Well then, let me not waste your precious time any further. Sleep well, husband!”

  “Amber! Goddammit!”

  He punched the redial button immediately, but the call went immediately to her voicemail. He ended the call and threw his phone on the seat beside him.

  Amber just made it to the bathroom in time. This was the fourth morning she had to run and hurl her guts out. She sank down on the bathroom floor, breathing deeply, trying to regain her strength. This was definitely more than a tummy bug.

  She slowly pushed to her feet and staggered back to bed. She curled up and waited for the weakness to recede. Suddenly the penny dropped and she gasped in shock.

  “Oh my God! Oh Lord!”

  She got up and walked towards the mirror, pulling the oversized tee-shirt she slept in up and turned sideways. The first thing she noticed was her breasts. They were slightly fuller, even her hips was curvier, although her belly was still flat.

  She was pregnant. The baby Damien so badly wanted, was on its way. She shook her head. Another piece of the puzzle … one that brought even bigger insecurities than anything else. If he knew about the baby … would that be the only reason he might want her back? She needed to know he wanted her for her, not for her children. Why did everything in their lives have to be so complicated?

  She did a quick calculation and realized she was probably between ten to twelve weeks along. She bought a home pregnancy kit that confirmed her condition. She was reluctant to go and see a doctor, remembering it was the one thing Damien wanted, to be there when Rory confirmed their pregnancy.

  Amber went to David Shaw’s office the moment she arrived at the airport. He smiled when she was seated across from him.

  “Well, Amber, I can’t say I am surprised. You have done an absolutely amazing job. Everything we have implemented have shown amazing results.”

  “It was a nice challenge and I am happy to have been able to assist. Everything I set out to do has been done, and I now need to go home.”

  “Damien told me he is in Russia. I suppose you can’t wait until he is back?”

  “No, nor am I going to. I want to leave today already if it is acceptable to you. I want to … go and surprise him in Russia. I have a valid visa for Russia. My previous company wanted to send me there for research at some stage, but the funds were withdrawn so I could not go, but the visa is still valid for another twelve months.”

  “Surprise as in he is not aware of your intention at all?”

  “Yes, and I pray you would keep it that way. Do you know where he is staying?”

  “Yes, they usually stay at Marriott Royal Aurora in Moscow on the Executive Level. I will arrange for the Company jet and pick you up from the apartment myself. Why don’t you go home and pack. I’ll let you know what time you will leave.”

  “Thank you, David … for everything. You really are a terrific guy to work for.”

  Amber had a spring in her step and smiled naturally for the first time in months. She finished packing in no time and then had to sit and twiddle her thumbs waiting for David’s call.

  Nine o’clock that evening they took off. If there were no weather problems they were due to arrive in Moscow around ten in the morning. David also arranged for a shuttle to take Amber directly to the Hotel from there.

  She was too excited to sleep and spent a large part of the flight re-investigating opening an exclusive wedding cake store in Miami. She loved the designing of the cakes and to see it come to fruition. With a baby and a very clever near teenager she had no intention of working full time, but doing the designs and quality checks would give her the balance she needed in her life.

  The luxury of the hotel took her breath away and the hotel manager was just too eager to please her. He quite enjoyed being the co-conspirator in surprising Damien.

  It was freezing cold and Amber immediately went shopping. She only took a few warm things with to LA and needed warm clothes desperately. She arrived packed with packages and dressed warmly in thick jeans, boots, a sweater and a padded jacket. She put her purchases away and took a quick bath. It was just after one and the sleepless night and long flight took its toll.

  The temperature was well controlled inside the hotel and it was nice and warm. Dressed in her birthday suit, she got into bed and fell asleep in a wink.

  “If you don’t mind, Barov, I have to decline. I am not in a party mood tonight.”

  “Aahh … you miss your beautiful wife too much, I see. Very well, you must join my family and me for dinner before you go back though.”

  “Of course. Thank you for the invitation, regardless. I’ll se
e you in the morning.”

  Damien ended the call as he walked out of the elevator on the top floor where the Executive suits were. He was tired … not physically, but emotionally tired. More so than anything ... he was lonely. He missed his family ... his Amber and Zoey. He planned on giving Amber at least three months to know her mind. He however, has had a hard time not jumping on a plane and fetching her within the first week she was gone. Keeping their conversations away from anything personal or intimate was the only way he could remain sane. Even if he found she had any doubts of her feelings for him, he was taking her home. He needed her in his life. He has never felt so alone and empty as he has since she got on that plane in Miami.

  He walked to the kitchenette and fetched a bottle of water and drank it down. He sighed and headed for the bathroom and took a long hot shower, feeling the water soothe his tired muscles. He dried his hair with a towel and wrapped another around his waist. Not in the mood to face people he already decided he was going to order in, but it was still too early. He walked into the bedroom and froze.

  Suddenly Damien could not breathe. He did not even have the strength to draw air into his lungs. He gasped when his body protested and blinked his eyes. She was still there. His exquisite wife. Peacefully asleep in his bed. He walked closer and drew his fingers through her satiny soft hair. He lifted the covers and drew a haggard breath noticing her naked beauty. He pulled the towel from his waist and threw it on the floor. He got into bed behind her and slowly drew her tight against his front, his face buried in her neck. She moaned softly, but did not wake up. Her hands automatically curled around his arms holding her and within seconds Damien too, fell into a deep sleep, holding his wife so close as if he would never let go.

  Shivers trickled over his skin and Damien sighed as heat followed, surging through his veins, heating his blood to rush and fill his shaft to near instant arousal. He slowly awoke and opened his eyes. He was laying on his back and Amber sprawled half on top of him. She was caressing his arms and her hot mouth brushed light kisses over his chin, down his neck to lick slowly down his chest.

  “Hi Honey.”