CHAPTER 4

Damien's POV

My ears are immediately filled with loud music as soon as I enter the club.

I last visited this location a long time before Helena passed away. Usually, I simply come here to have fun with my friends and meet new customers and business partners.

We come here to unwind after a long day of labor.

However, I stopped going, just as I stopped doing everything else that intrigued me after Helena's passing.

I stopped hanging out with virtually all of the men in the Private Member's Club and Billionaire's Club. I shoved each one of them aside, but Gabriel remained still.

When I return to this place after a long absence, I feel a strong rush of nostalgia as I think back on everything we shared in this same club with other business-minded guys who have come from all backgrounds with the same goal: success.

Because of the club's desire for power, money, and success, I like being a member. We all aspired to continue dominating the list of New York's wealthy members.

I groan and gaze down briefly before wondering why Helena is coming to mind again.

I take a big breath and glance up as I go farther into the club, scanning the area for Gabriel.

We intended to meet her so that he could help me choose a female to speak to about the agreement's terms.

I just hope that everything goes well and that I won't have to deal with a bitch.

Truthfully, I was a little saddened when Lisa was rejected. Although I was inclined to terminate her, the amount of work I have right now prevents me from finding another Personal Assistant. Lisa is also diligent and proficient in her field.

She was the ideal candidate for the position. I don't want to have paranoia, however. After a year, I'll hunt for another female to do the task for me.

Gabriel is there, in the VIP area where we used to chat before heading upstairs, where the Private Members gather, chat, play games, and go home with women to warm their mattresses.

Helen was usually waiting at home for me to return, so I was not the sort to go home with a woman. She is a socially awkward person who despises it when I show up to the meeting every Saturday.

She detested the thought of coming with me or even meeting any of the club members since most of them are Mafia supporters.

I sigh as I go up to Gabriel's desk. I saw two ladies laughing and drinking with him next to him.

The first lady is his wife Sabrina, who I am familiar with, but the second woman is not.

Gabriel smiles broadly as he looks up. He gestures at me, causing the females to turn and look at me.

I go more quickly while ignoring the discomfort in my stomach caused by the many people and the loud music.

I'm ready to finish everything here and go.

Gabriel gets up to shake my hand before we share a quick embrace.

I greet his wife and the other woman with a nod before taking a seat across from them.

Gabriel yells "You came late" so he can be heard over the loud music.

I give him an apologetic grin as I nod.

He gestures to the young woman standing next to Sabrina who is closely inspecting every inch of my body, judging how I appear, and grinning seductively at me. "This is Sabrina's buddy Eunice. She's considering your offer, are you sure? I raise an eyebrow at her and wonder how Gabriel has managed to get things done so quickly.

Before I arrived, I never imagined he would locate someone for me; instead, I imagined we would sit together and scout out potential suitors among the club's female patrons.

"Have you explained the rules to her?" I speak in a that he can understand.

I sigh with relief as the music is switched to a softer one. I don't need to yell anymore.

I want to go home, take a bath, and then go to bed since I am already somewhat worn out.

Gabriel sighs. "You can do that right now."

I look at the woman who is gently moving to the music. "Do you realize that the marriage will only last a year?"

Even though she seems astonished, she nods.

I stoop so she may attentively hear the circumstances as I lean forward. There won't be any sex, either.

"What?" She says loudly, then laughs. "No sex? Given that we are married, how is that even possible?

The issue is this. I want someone who will understand, not someone who would push back against my demands or question my motivations.

Is it not obvious enough that this is what I want?

She looks at me with wide eyes as I clench my teeth and say, "That is what I want." No conditions are applied.

I'm curious as to what they told her as she turns to look at her pal for an explanation.

Gabriel keeps quiet.

Gabriel, you didn't tell me that coming here was why I came. How am I supposed to have sex being married to such a handsome and attractive man? Is he incapable? She exclaims loudly as she makes a bewildered face and points at me.

I close my eyes firmly.

Gabriel and Sabrina start laughing like two wild adolescents, which makes me angry.

What on earth is this? Where did he find this idiotic woman?

"Just because I don't want us to have sex doesn't mean I don't have masculinity," I tell her with a severe expression.

I'm not even sure why I'm defending myself. I now seem foolish.

"Really? So let's start having sex right now. She offers.

"What?!"

Is this woman insane? What kind of affluent whore is this? Because we are married and not having sex, I don't want a lady who would go about f***ing every single guy who comes her way. Definitely not the kind of lady I'm looking for.

Gabriel is making a valiant effort to control his laughter as Sabrina continues to chuckle.

Bullshit, this is!

I suddenly get to my feet and stare at the pair one final time before turning to the woman whose exposed cleavage is trying to attract me.

She will entice me into doing something I don't want to do, even if I only want to get by with her.

Never again do I want to have sex with a lady. Helena is my lady, and I will be devoted to her until I die.

This is a result of my cheating on her while she was still living, which I did to her. I cheated, even though I didn't intend to.

She discovered out, and we got into a heated argument over her demands that I quit my Mafia business. She smacked me when I told her "no" and then fled.

I didn't realize I would never see her again until I learned that my wife and kid had passed away.

Knowing full well that my infidelity caused her death, how can I have sex with her again?

I immediately turn around and start to move away from them, ignoring Grabriel's cries for me to turn around and return.

I no longer need his assistance.

From now on, I'll handle things my way. I'll be on my own for only a year in my search for the right lady.

It was a mistake to ask for assistance from him and his insane wife.

I'm suddenly struck by someone, which causes me to stop in my steps and grasp the person before they fall to the ground.

I feel like a hero when I catch her and save her from falling as a result of me, but when I see her face, I swiftly let go of her out of astonishment.

"Lisa?" I make the call while scowling. Why in the world are you here?