Chapter 8: Demanding Hush Money

Adeline felt a flush rising under her skin.  The room was softly lit, shadows and lamplight playing over her bare body, giving her a languid allure.  Damon's eyes wandered over her, slow and bold.  She didn't bother putting anything on, gave her hips a slow roll, and shot him a glare.  "What are you staring at?" Damon chuckled. "I'm just looking at Griffin, of course." He glanced at Griffin, snoring on the bed, then looked back at Adeline and grinned. "Adeline, you sleep naked?" "Since when is that your business?"  Her eyes gleamed, sly as a cat. She smiled. "I was waiting for you. You clueless jerk. Can't you tell?" She swayed closer to him. "Hold up." Damon shook his head fast.  "Don't get me wrong, Adeline. I really came for Griffin. I wanted him to come over for drinks." "You reek of booze." Adeline stared him down.  Damon did look like he had drunk plenty.  If he'd come for her, seeing her standing there naked, wouldn't he have made a move already? She rolled her hips and lowered her voice.  "That good-for-nothing is fast asleep. I'm lonely. Drinks can wait. How about we have some fun first?" "No way." Damon shook his head.  "I can't do that to Griffin."  He reached out as if to shake Griffin awake. Adeline lunged forward and grabbed his wrist.  "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" She stiffened with panic.  If Griffin opened his eyes, everything would fall apart.  And what about Mitchell under the bed?  If the words spread, the villagers would talk her ears off. "I'm calling Griffin," Damon said with a smirk.  "Getting him up for drinks." "Don't... don't do anything stupid!" Adeline glared, flustered.  "I'm naked. If he wakes up and sees us, then what? You..." "Fair enough." Damon narrowed his eyes.  "Something's off, Adeline. Are you cheating? Hang on... I can smell it. There's another man's scent in here. Smells like some other guy. Looks like you had company before I got here, huh?" Adeline froze.  Under the bed, Mitchell shifted in panic. Rustle, rustle, rustle! "Oh? So he's under the bed?" Damon laughed. "No, what are you talking about?" Adeline shook her head quickly.  "Quit talking nonsense! That's just a mouse. Just go, will you? If you draw people over, or if Griffin wakes up, we'll really be in trouble." "I'm pretty sure there's someone under the bed." Damon grinned.  "How about you come out and say hi?" Mitchell was scared out of his mind.  Damon and Griffin were close.  If he crawled out, Damon would definitely tell Griffin.  Griffin might be an honest guy, but what husband could take his wife fooling around with another man?  He had to tough it out. Unless it was life or death, he couldn't come out. "There's really no one."  Adeline's face drained of color.  "Damon, just go, or I'll start yelling and say you tried to force yourself on me." "That's cold, Adeline." Damon sighed.  "If you want to shout, go ahead. I haven't done anything. I won't check who's under the bed, but I want something in return for my silence. Hey, you! Under the bed! Your affair with Adeline just got busted. You should pay up, right?" Adeline trembled in rage.  She hadn't expected Damon to ask for hush money. Later, a wad of cash slid out from under the bed. They were fifty bucks. Damon bent down to grab the money, but Adeline snatched it up first, clutching it tight.  "Just stay standing." She was terrified he'd crouch down and spot Mitchell.  "Take the money and get out. Now!" Her affair was exposed, so she would have to keep Damon's mouth shut. "Adeline, and you, Mr. Under-the-Bed, you have my word," Damon said, easing the cash from her hand with a broad grin.  "I've got the money, and everything's cool. I could even keep watch outside for you." "No need!" Adeline snapped.  "Just go!" "Much obliged." Damon laughed. "Have fun." He turned and walked out. Adeline let out a long breath.  Any desire she'd had was gone.  After a moment, Mitchell wriggled out from under the bed and whispered, "Is he gone?" "He should be." Adeline bit her lip and glared at him.  "Wait a bit before leaving. Who knows if he's lurking outside? Damon is cunning. I'm right here, naked and looking this good, and he just kept staring instead of making a move." "I don't know what's going on in his head," Mitchell said, exhaling.  "I'd better get dressed. He had ruined our night. I... I was so scared I went limp." "Pathetic!" Adeline scowled.  "One scare and you're done? Fine, get dressed and hide. Lie low for a bit. I'll step out later and see if that jerk's still hanging around. If he's gone, you can leave." Damon hadn't stayed outside.  He might not have wanted Adeline, but that didn't mean he felt nothing.  Ever since he had absorbed that surge of power, he was stronger than ever, his blood running hot.  Even just listening to the doorway to Adeline and Mitchell fumbling around was almost too much.  The drinks didn't help his self-control. He thought of Mitchell.  Then, he decided to visit Mitchell's wife. Under the cover of night, he slipped over to Mitchell's place.  He listened. The house was quiet. One room glowed softly.  He crept closer, pressed himself against the wall by the window, and caught the faint sound of pages turning. Someone was reading. The window was cracked open.  He edged up and peeked inside.  A woman sat propped against the headboard under a lamp, engrossed in her book.  She was Mitchell's wife, Marlowe. In the warm lamplight, she had a gentle sweetness about her. Footsteps sounded. Damon shrank back into the shadows.  A man's silhouette crept up and slipped inside.  Was that Mitchell coming back? Damon could tell at a glance it wasn't Mitchell. It was another man.