The Devil Behind Me (19 page)

Once I was done, I took his
bathrobe and unlocked the door. I stuck out my head, making sure he wasn’t there. On the bed were a t-shirt and a pair of boxers. The grey t-shirt looked familiar as I held it up. It was our old gym shirt from high school. I couldn’t believe he kept it all this time. I then pulled back the sheets and slipped inside. The bed felt nice and my body easily began to relax until Daimon showed up.

“What are you doing here?
” I asked shocked.

“
Sleeping,” he said somewhat annoyed.

“
You said you'd sleep on the couch.”

“Yes
, my couch, in my bedroom.” He walked to the bed and leaned over me. I leaned back trying to gain space. He laughed as he yanked his pillow from behind me. He then took the extra comforter and went to the large plush leather couch by the window on the other side of his bedroom. 

“
Addie, you're going to be staying here until your father gets out of the hospital. I'll make sure you have what you need,” Daimon said from behind the couch.

I didn't reply
, I just attempted to get comfortable. Drako jumped up onto the bed and stood at my feet. He began to circle around a bit until he found the spot he wanted, and quickly lay down and went to sleep. There we were, a pretend family with a dog to boot.

I was deep in sleep when I was
awakened by Drako. He nudged his head on my face and began to lick my cheek. I opened my eyes to see the morning light had seeped into the bedroom in such a peaceful way that I had forgotten where I was for a moment. I slowly rose up, Drako still nudging at me while I lay in bed comfortable and rested.

“Finally you’re up.” I heard
Daimon say as he emerged from the bathroom. I was slightly startled as I looked up to see him standing there with his small towel draped over his head. He had taken a shower, his slightly long hair hung loosely as he smiled at me with his sexy little grin.

“Do you mind putting on a shirt?” I asked as I tried to take my eyes off him. 

In this light, he looked utterly edible and I had to learn to steer clear of him and all that was between us. I was now engaged to the man who irritated and annoyed me the most and yet he was the only one I had ever met who was able to light me on fire with a mere look. Daimon knew me and knew how to push every single button in such a way that he played me like a fiddle and I hated him for it. Yes, I could finally admit I was always attracted to him, but he lacked decorum and basic human dignity. He used my father’s illness to get me to marry him so he wouldn’t have to marry Clara. Who does that? Daimon apparently does. He’s good at getting what he wants which is why it boggled my mind why such a strong willed man would need me to help him. Either way, I knew I was a tool he paid for. I needed his money to help me with my family and I was going to do everything I needed to get them the lives they deserved. It was my fault they suffered as much as they did and I needed to atone for it. If that meant making a deal with the devil himself then that was what I was going to do.

“My house, my rules
. I’m not putting on a shirt because my perfect naked torso makes you hot and heavy for me. Why don’t you just practice some self-restraint and not look at me?” he laughed and left me with my mouth gaping open. 

“Are you serious? Please, you’re just doing it on
purpose because that’s your MO,” I snapped and stood up from the bed. Drako jumped off as well and began wagging his tail at me. “Shouldn’t you be taking him for a walk or something?” I looked down at Drako’s little face and couldn’t help but fall in love with him all over again as his big eyes beckoned me to play.

“His walker will be here soon,
” Daimon said, throwing the towel onto the couch and heading to the closet on the other end of the room. 

“
Oh,” I said quietly as I knelt down and picked him up.

I
continued to play with Drako as Daimon came into sight; his hair was gelled back now. He was fixing his dark blue tie to yet another perfect suit ensemble, which was a light grey three piece and a blue shirt. He walked toward the bedroom door and left; I hadn’t noticed as Drako followed Daimon out. Maybe the Lucifer was right, maybe I was paying too much attention to him and how he looked. I let out a breath and headed to the bathroom to clean up. I washed my face and gargled some toothpaste I found in what seemed like his sink area. I felt out of my element without my things with me. I looked down at the t-shirt I was wearing remembering high school and how Clara and some other girls thought it was fun to pour spoiled milk on my gym clothes at least once a week. I headed downstairs wary at what I was supposed to do now. I couldn’t exactly go to the hospital wearing the same dress I left in. I know it’s stupid, but I didn’t want my father seeing me and thinking I spent the night with Daimon. I’d have to ask him for some money to get home, which wasn’t going to be pleasant. He was seated at his table with Drako at his feet, the moment Drako saw me he came running.

“
Come sit,” Daimon said not looking at me. I walked over to the table and saw a plate with eggs and a bagel.

“What’s this?” I asked
pointing down at it.

“I made you food.”
He finally turned his head and looked at me. I awkwardly sat down and for the first time, I was self-conscious being around him. My body seemed to be aware of his dominate presence.

I
picked up my fork and that’s when I saw it, the ring Daimon had bought me. The bright green glistened brilliantly as I stared at it. It might not have been a ring I would have chosen for myself, but it was beautiful nonetheless. 

“I chose it beca
use you’re not a typical girl,” he said in a hushed voice. “You, Addie, are different and deserve a different kind of ring.”

Our
eyes met and I must have blushed because I felt my skin grow hot. The elevator dinged and he pulled his gaze from me. My eyes followed Daimon as he stood up to greet someone. In walked a girl who must have been in her early twenties, she smiled and laughed as she exchanged pleasantries with Daimon. I watched as she flipped her long brown hair at every little thing Daimon was saying. I grew angry at seeing how easily he could talk to her and how much of a gentleman he was. Daimon was the epitome of an asshole in my world and yet here he was flirting up a storm with the little girl who was going to walk my dog. My dog?
Calm down, Addie
.
Daimon is paying you. It’s only a business transaction, nothing else
. Drako growled low as he stayed by my feet. I pushed my chair back and peered down at him. He really didn’t want to go with her. 

“
Drako,” I whispered and he looked up at me with his scared puppy face.

“
Drako come,” Daimon called out. I held out my hands and Drako jumped into my embrace. I carried him as I walked over to a blue-eyed little girl who wasn’t much younger than me. 

“
Drako doesn’t want to go with her,” I said as I held him in my arms.

“
But I'm his dog walker,” she said, making it sound like her job was important. 

“I'm
glad, but he’s my dog and my dog doesn’t want to go out with you,” I hissed. She swallowed hard as she stared at Drako and me. 

“
Addie, the dog needs to be walked,” Daimon said as he reached for him, but Drako growled and barked.

“Told you,”
I shrugged. Daimon looked at his dog and then at me. Maybe he was realizing he might have bitten off more than he could chew. 

“Thank you for coming out and I'm sure my
Daimon won’t have a problem paying you for your time, but my Drako will be walked by me today,” I smiled and walked away. I headed up the stairs with the intention of wearing the dress to take him out. Had I had my running clothes I would have taken him out for a run with me.  

“What the fuck was that?”
Daimon bit out as I finally emerged with my dress on. 

“What?”
I asked. 

“That!” he pointed to the elevator. “What just happened before?”

“What? About Drako? He didn’t want to go out with her, so I’ll take him. What’s the big deal?” I asked as I reached for his leash. 

“
You really don’t see it do you?” Daimon said like he was so sure of himself.

“
See what?” I asked now annoyed.

“
You want me for yourself. It happened at Darren’s bar and it happened now. You made sure she knew where she stood.” That stupid sexy grin on his face made me see red. 

“
Want you? Don’t make me gag. What pisses me off is how easily you can be prince charming with every person who has a vagina except me. I can’t tell you how irritating it is to see you act like someone else with them,” I remarked in an irritated tone.

“
Act differently?” he questioned.

“
Honestly, Daimon, you…” I stopped myself not wanting to continue the conversation. 

“
What Addie?” Daimon pushed. Drako bit his leash and pulled at it.

“I'm going to walk the dog,
” I said and left. 

It wasn’t because I wanted him. It was only because I didn’t understand why he treated me so differently.

I walked Drako around the block and I couldn’t keep track of how many odd looks I got. I guess walking one’s dog in a sexy evening dress wasn’t the most apropos thing to do in the morning. I was hungry, annoyed and without money. I seriously needed to get home and change my clothes to go see my father. I walked back to the building and was greeted by Phil. As I walked into the lobby, I saw Daimon sitting down on one of the expensive couches, waiting for me.

“What are you doing here?
Don’t you have to work or something?” I asked.

“
You don’t have a key, plus I highly doubt you have a way to go home and change,” he bit out. Daimon was angry. I didn’t care what his reasons were. “Bring Drako upstairs and come back down. I’ll take you home then to the hospital.” He handed me his key card, sat down onto a large black plush velvet couch, and brooded. I scoffed and went upstairs. Drako wagged his tail as I left him in the penthouse. Once Daimon saw me, he immediately took my hand and led me to his car that waiting outside for us. “Get in, Addie,” he ordered harshly. 

The drive there was mostly silent, only his music was playing
that I didn’t pay much attention to. Once we reached my home, I went out to the backyard where there was a large rock with a spare key hidden underneath it. Daimon had followed me and rolled his eyes. “Leave it to you to leave your key outside, but then again there isn’t much to steal is there?” His remark was the last straw today. I slid the key in and unlocked the door. The moment I entered I slammed the door on him. He kicked the door and seethed outside; I could feel his anger seeping into my home. I smiled knowing that I too could now get under his skin. 

“
Fine, Addie, be that way. Just make sure you have a bag with your stuff ready. You’re not coming home tonight or any other night, until your father comes home,” he roared so loudly I thought the whole neighborhood heard him.

I wanted to challenge him, to tell him off
, but I knew better. Daimon wasn’t one to trifle with especially now that I forced his hand. I went to my closet and threw some clothes and my essentials into a bag. I quickly got dressed and headed out the door. Daimon stood waiting, his face not too happy at the moment.

“Next time you do that…”

“What Daimon? You’re going to punish me? Trust me. I’m already paying for my sins by being with you,” I said bitterly as I passed him.

“Keep pu
shing me, Addie. Just keep going,” he warned. 

He dropped me off at the hospital
, telling me he’d be back to pick me up. I didn’t bother to say anything as I headed inside. My father was asleep with his TV on. I sat down quietly and waited for him to wake up. The man must have been tired because he didn’t wake up until a few hours and a couple of Maude reruns later. 

“Addie?” he said hoarsely.

“Hey Daddy. How are you feeling?” I asked reaching for his hand.

“
Better,” he smiled. “You look rested,” he remarked. 

“I fin
ally got to sleep in a real bed,” I winked.

“Shouldn’t you
be at the diner?” he asked. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that once Daimon and I had ‘gotten engaged’ I had decided the diner no longer mattered. My father and his health came first.

“Daddy…” I
said softly.

“
It’s fine, Addie. Let’s not talk about it now. We’ll figure it out once I leave the hospital.”

The orderlies came in and helped my father into a chair next to me.
He sat comfortably and watched TV with me, telling me they should put better movies on. He then started listing them to me one by one. I rolled my eyes at him until he stopped and lowered his head a little. His face began to contort as he grunted and held tightly onto the chair.

“
Daddy?” I inched closer. “Dad?” I panicked and pressed for the nurse. She came in and looked at my father.

He
started to cry out in pain. My heart began to break as tears streamed down his face. The pain he must have felt had to be beyond anything he had experienced before. I was told to leave the room and I began to pace frantically outside. One of the student doctors who worked with Dr. Cohen came and checked on him. I began biting my nails as I kept hearing my dad shout out in pain.

“Addie.” I heard
Daimon call out to me. “Is everything okay?” he asked as he reached out and took me by my arms to stop me from moving. He looked at me apprehensively, waiting for me to answer him. That’s when he heard my father yell. “What the fuck?” he roared. “What in the hell is going on here?” he shouted at a nurse who walked by.

“I don't know,
” the nurse said.

“Well find the fuck out now
,” he bit out. The student doctor came out of my father’s room soon after the nurse Daimon yelled at went inside.

“Ms. Sakis
, your father has a severe bacterial infection. It happens sometimes after an operation. We’ll be giving him some antibiotics and monitoring him closely,” he smiled at me.

“Will my father-in-law be al
l right?” Daimon asked.

“
Yes, unfortunately these things do happen, but we got it in time and with a round of antibiotics he should be fine. But please, next time do not yell at our nurses,” the young doctor said to Daimon. Daimon stepped closer and pushed me behind him.