Mistress to a Monster

Dinner.

Damon had spent way too much time working lately, and he didn’t want Milah to feel rejected.

A nice, candlelit dinner. Soft music. The restaurant had other guests, and Milah looked so beautiful.

Glory had reported to him that Milah had gone missing. They couldn’t find her, but all the guards he spoke with told him that she’d been in the house the whole time. Was she trying to hide from Glory?

If so, why?

Why didn’t she want to be with Glory? Did she know he used the maid to gain information?

“You look stunning tonight,” he said.

“And you’re full of compliments tonight. You look very handsome yourself.”

He ran his hand down his jacket. “I tried.”

The waiter came and poured them both some water. Milah thanked the waiter.

In his breast pocket, he felt the wedding band he had taken the time to pick out. Raoul had told him he’d been acting too hasty, but he’d wanted to get the ring and not miss an opportunity like this.

They were surrounded by people.

Milah was pregnant with his child. She was going to give birth as his wife.

“This is a nice place,” Milah said.

“Milah, I know we got off on the wrong foot.”

“Really? You could have fooled me,” she said, laughing.

“I’m being serious.”

“I’m joking, Damon. Come on, we can’t be too serious.” She smiled at him. “Our circumstances can’t be changed but we’re here now.”

“True.” He lifted his glass and took a long swig. “You’re an amazing woman. Kind. Thoughtful. I didn’t know enough about you when I made that deal with your father.” He reached into his jacket pocket, and Milah’s gaze went wide.

She reached over the table and put her hand on top of his. “Stop this.”

“Milah!”

“I haven’t asked for much, but I am begging you, not to … do this here.”

He glanced around the room. Damon figured she could turn down a proposal when it was just the two of them, but in a roomful of diners, she’d struggle to do so.

“Milah.”

“Damon, don’t.”

“I want to be a good man to you. A father to our child. I want to make up for everything that I’ve done, and the only way to do that is if you give me a chance.”

Milah shook her head, and he saw the tears glinting in her eyes.

He was about to get on one knee and do a big speech, but Milah shocked him as she shoved her chair away from the table and stormed out of the restaurant.

Damon saw they’d gained some attention, but he sent a glare their way, forcing them to look away. No one paid him any attention as he rushed out of the restaurant. The shoes Milah wore were on the high side, so she didn’t get very far.

His guards had always been warned to constantly keep an eye on her and to keep their distance.

“Milah!” He yelled her name.

“No, Damon. That’s why you wanted me to go to a nice and fancy restaurant with you, isn’t it?” she asked. “It has nothing to do with me or the baby, or to just spend some time together. It was an ulterior motive. Were those people actors?”

“Why don’t you stop running away, and stand and talk to me?”