Page 65 of Enchant Me

“Well, I think the man may hold a grudge. I looked into his company a bit, and interestingly enough, it recently applied for a patent on a new type of lapel camera. As you know, we have systems that monitor for cameras in the club, but if I’m understanding right, this tiny little thing may just have gotten through.”

“Looks like I need to pay a visit to Carl. See who he might have shared that video with. He may hate me, but I don’t think he’s the one sending these texts.”

“Neither do I,” Holt said. “Do you need any more help? I’m not sure what I can do except talk to Rosenfeld myself. He violated my trust, and I will kick him out of the club, but not until you tell me that you’ve spoken with him. I don’t want him to bolt or have any advance notice.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll keep you posted. And, Matthew,” he added, “I owe you one.”

He ended the call, then looked at Ashton. His son’s face was a mask of fury. “You’re pissed,” he said.

“Damn right,” Ashton responded.

“This isn’t anger on my behalf, and it’s not just irritation that your new business partner is a sleaze. Tell me.”

A muscle twitched in his cheek as Ashton looked between him and Nikki. Then he drew in a breath, clearly trying to control his anger. “Jeremiah Stark is the one who introduced me to Rosenfeld.”

Damien leaned back against the sofa seat, then took Nikki’s hand. Her fingers curled around his, giving him comfort. “I can’t say that I’m surprised.”

“Not surprised? You knew he was at the heart of this all along.”

“Knew, no. Assumed, yes.”

“Why? Why would your own father want to keep us apart?”

“Because he’s a shit of a human being. I told you what he did when I was in Germany. He’s not a good man. Jeremiah Stark is after only one thing, and that’s what’s best for Jeremiah Stark.”

He watched as Ashton stood and began to pace. “I feel like such an idiot. He’s been around my entire life. I trusted him, and because of that I turned against you. I embarrassed you publicly. Fuck.”

The last word came out loud and harsh, and he slammed his fist against the wall at the same time.

“I owe you a lifetime of apologies. That vile snake. I’m so sorry.”

Damien stood as well, then went to stand behind his son. “You don’t owe me anything,” he said softly.

Ashton shook his head, his back still to Damien. “I should have straight-out asked you. Instead, I played this goddamn game.”

“I’ll grant you that. Maybe you should have. But you’d been raised with one version of reality. It’s hard not to see what’s true when you’ve been living in a nightmare.”

Ashton turned, looking miserable. “You should hate me.”

“No. I shouldn’t. And I don’t. But if you want to know the truth, I don’t really know you. But,” Damien added, hoping Ashton could hear the truth in his voice. “I very much want to.”

For a moment Ashton was totally silent. Then he nodded. “Yes,” he said “I want that, too. Goddammit,” he continued as another curse exploded out of him. “So much wasted time. You’ve been here all along, and I never had the chance to get to know you, or Nikki,” he added looking at her. “To get to know your children. Fuck, they’re my sisters and brother. Jeremiah Stark stole all of that from me.”

“He stole it from all of us,” Nikki said. “Lara, Anne, and Bradley, too.”

“Fuck this,” Ashton said. “I’m going to go see the son of a bitch.”

Damien could tell his temper was high. It was practically coming off him in waves. Another way Ashton reminded him of himself, and Damien had to acknowledge that this particular trait was not necessarily a good one.

“Better to just let it lie,” he said. “At least for now.”

“Hell, no. He arranged this, him or Carl, and my money is on Jeremiah.”

Damien’s was, too. Carl wasn’t that clever, but he was willing to live off the spoils of other clever people.

“He’s been playing me for years. Goddammit, why?”

“I’ve already told you. He’s a manipulative prick. That cost him a relationship with me. He saw you as a second chance. And a cash cow.”