The Ashes of Vows (Elara and Damon) novel Chapter 19

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I knew Damon was never just going to give up that easily.

And sure enough, he stayed kneeling downstairs from my apartment all night long.

Early the next morning, I snuck out ahead of schedule. But on my walk to the diner, a red sports car popped up, sticking to me like a

shadow.

“Elle,” his voice was hoarse as he spoke from the car.“Just give me a chance. Let me make it up to you, please?”

“I know I’m an unforgivable bastard,” he continued, not waiting for my reply.“No matter how much I grovel, how much I punish myself, it wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the despair you went through back then.”

“But I never even wanted to divorce you, not really. I’ve already had Sloane institutionalized. I never liked her, not even for a second.”

His desperate pleas just made me scowl.

All his blathering was just so damn annoying.

I stopped cold, crossed my arms, and gave the guy in the car a cold smirk. But before I could even open my mouth to snark, a Rolls–Royce Phantom came speeding up from behind and deliberately slammed right into the back of his sports car.

All I heard was a loud CRUNCH! The back of his car was totally wrecked. It slid from the powerful impact, then slammed right into a tree on the side of the road.

Suddenly, a guy got out of the driver’s seat of the Phantom. Dressed in a sleek light gray suit, he strode with long steps over to the sports

car.

Julian leaned down, glanced at Damon–who was still in the driver’s seat, looking totally shell–shocked – and then tossed a business card inside.

“Sorry, pal, but you were just blocking traffic, crawling like a snail. It was bugging everyone, and frankly, I found it pretty annoying.”

A slight, confident smirk played on his handsome features.“My assistant will handle all the repair details.”

Just like Damon, I was completely stunned too. I jogged over to check on Julian.“What are you doing here?

Are you okay? Were you hurt at all?”

Julian watched me, looking totally relaxed.“Got a text last night from your roommate,” he said.“Apparently, you might be in a little trouble.”

A warmth spread through me, and I smiled a little sheepishly.“Looks like it’s all taken care of now, though. Let’s go.”

I said, moving to get into Julian’s car. But our casual familiarity instantly set Damon off.

He practically ripped his car door open, then sprinted over and grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vise.“Elle, who the hell is he?”

“Don’t go. I’m not letting you go with him.”

His stubborn words were just plain ridiculous.

But then, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder as Julian ripped Damon’s hand right off my arm.

“You blind? You’re hurting her.”

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His tall frame instantly shielded me.“Mr. Blackwood,” Julian’s voice was low, “Just a friendly heads–up: stop hounding her. A good ex–husband knows how to act like he’s dead.”

The words “ex–husband” hit Damon like a brutal slap to the face.

He stood frozen, looking utterly defeated, watching me get into the passenger seat of the car. He pleaded softly, “Elle, I’ve been kneeling outside your place all night. I’ll keep kneeling. Please, just give me one last chance?

If you can just forgive me, I’ll do anything for you.”

I gave him a cold, mocking look and scoffed, “Kneeling once? So what?

Damon, I was on my knees for you ninety–nine times, back then.

Oh, and by the way, remember when you locked me in solitary, and bugs gnawed on me for twenty–four hours straight? My exposed arms were raw and covered in bites. But when I woke up, what did you say…?”

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