Once His Mate Now His Rival (by Lord Browny) novel Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

“I miss you Daddy!” The little girl squealed as they disengaged from the hug.

Damon smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I miss you too honey.”

He sighed. “Daddy’s been caught up with work these days. But I promise I will make it up to you okay?”

The little girl’s face lit up. “Really papa? You promise?”

Damon nodded. “Yes honey. I promise.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. The little girl giggled Damon watched her for a few seconds and his expression flickered with something like pain before he masked it.

This small bundle of joy had been his solace for years. Being with her always calmed him, though her resemblance to her mother was a knife to his chest. Whenever he looked at Jess, he felt as if he were looking directly at Amber.

“Come here honey. Let Daddy give you another hug.” Daman said with a smile and pulled her into a hug.

The little girl squirmed as if she was in pain and pulled away. Damon let go instantly.

“What wrong Jess? Are you in pain?” Damon asked in a hurry, the worry in his voice didn’t go unnoticed.

The little girl rubbed her left arm against her right as if she was afraid to speak.

“Did that wicked woman touch you again?” Damon asked before he could stop himself. He could feel the anger boiling inside him but he controlled himself. No matter how angry he was, he had always made it a rule never to lose control in front of his little girl.

Jess swallowed and nodded slowly.

Damon heart broke. He could feel his body burning with rage. How dare that bitch touch his girl.

“Where does it hurt Jess?”

Jess took a deep breath and lifted her shirt. “Here papa! Mummy hurt me here!”

Damon followed her gaze and saw bruises along her back. Rage exploded inside him. How dare she hurt his daughter?

Just then, a black car rolled up in front of the pack house and Bella climbed out. Damon didn’t wait. He strode toward her and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground.

“How dare you touch her? Didn’t I warn you never to lay a hand on her?” His voice was cold as ice.

Bella clawed at his grip, gasping. “Da–Damon! I… I… can’t” Her breaths came out in shallow gasps. She struggled to breathe, but Damon didn’t give her a chance.

“Please Papa! Let mama go, you’re hurting her!” Jess cried, tears rolling down her innocent face.

“She’s not your mama sweetheart. Your mama is nothing like her!” Damon snapped.

Seeing his little girl breaking down in sobs, Damon suddenly recalled a moment from six years ago.

He’d just gotten back from work when he stepped into the parlor to find Amber watching a movie.

Damon was exhausted so he sat besides her.

At that moment, Amber screamed and broke down in tears as the man in the movie raised his hand and slapped the female lead across the face.

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Chapter Nineteen

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“What’s wrong?” Damon had asked her.

“That asshole slapped her. What kind of a man lays his hands on a woman?” She’d answered, crying. Damon had broken down laughing.

“Is that why you are crying?” He’d asked again, puzzled, and Amber nodded.

“So I’m an asshole if I hit a woman?”

This time around, Amber had smiled before responding. “No Damon. Because if it’s you, I know you’d never lay a hand on a woman.”

That conversation had been the first time they’d really connected. The first time he’d kissed her, and the only time he’d made love to her.

Damon took a deep breath and shoved Bella aside. She hit the car before sliding down to the ground, gasping.

“The next time you lay a hand on my little girl,” he said slowly, voice low and deadly. “I promise you… there won’t be mercy!”

Without waiting for a response, he scooped Jess into his arms and carried her into the pack house.