Page 149 of Perfume Girl

I stood my ground. “The cameras didn’t record during the theft. Only you knew I’d had them installed.”

“I never came back to the store after our last argument.”

“You mean the one where you delivered the forms for me to sign for us to sell the business? During that time, I know you reached into my handbag and removed the perfume I was going to take to Dazzle and Bazaar.”

“Don’t blame me for your failures.”

“That time the cameras were working, Damien.” I was bluffing, but I hoped it would convince him to tell the truth.

He looked conflicted. “I was looking for a pen.”

“In my handbag?”

“I just wanted what was mine. I worked hard to get that place up and running for you.”

“And now you’re tearing it down.”

“Open another store. Create more formulas. I’ve moved on and you should, too.”

“I want justice.” My voice trembled. “I’m not letting this go.”

He gestured toward the sliding glass door, and I followed him outside to the garden.

“This is what we’ll do for you,” he said. “We’ll talk to Embry’s dad about getting more information on the store theft. You need closure…I get that. Though it’s not fair of you to point the finger at me. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

In a daze, I stared at the calm blue water in the swimming pool. It looked inviting, and as Embry had told me it was surprisingly deep. A tourist boat floated by filled with several loud, happy partygoers. Some of them waved at us and Damien waved back.

“It’s a great location,” he said. “Getting this house has taken hard work and sacrifice.”

“What are we doing out here?”

“Thought I’d grab some honey for our tea.” He stared across the garden.

A shudder of terror slithered up my spine when I saw them—pale wooden slats were stacked into a beehive.

“You didn’t,” I burst out. “I can’t believe…”

“I’ll use the honey from the bees in desserts. I’m all about improving the environment and making it a better place. Bees are endangered now, but you already know that.”

I rummaged frantically around in my handbag searching for my EpiPen. I pulled it out, praying I’d not have to use it.

“You sold me out,” I stuttered bitterly.

“Oh, that’s right.” Damien ran a hand through his hair. “You’re allergic to bees.”

“Fuck you.”

“So no tea, then?”

I spun around and entered the house, shoving my EpiPen back into my bag. I almost tripped on a rug as I hurried through the living room.

I flew out the front door and stormed toward my car. Shaking, I leaped into the driver’s seat and struggled to get my key in the ignition.

It was hard to see straight. I was close to hyperventilating, but I forced myself to focus as I locked my car doors.

I had been married to a man I hadn’t known at all. What he’d done was sociopathic. The same man who vowed to love and honor me was prepared to have me die in the worst way. I concentrated on my breathing, trying to calm my heart rate. Passing out wasn’t an option. I’d be vulnerable if Damien managed to get a bee inside my car.

Would he try that?I shot myself an angry glare in the rearview mirror.