“She certainly does,” my father chimed in placing a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this lady.” His supposed show of affection was about as natural as one of my offensive linemen trying to dance ballet. He tilted his head and raised his eyes as though I’d already created a party foul. “Roman, say hello to the guest of honor and your future Lieutenant Governor and father-in-law.”
I ignored the delusional thought of Taylor and I marrying and turned politely, smiling at Taylor’s parents. “Richard, it’s good to see you again.” We shook hands exchanging pleasantries. “Sonya, you look stunning.” I gave his wife a hug.
“You’ve been treating our daughter right? I don’t want to have to get out that shotgun.” Richard chuckled in his good-ole-boy way. He was a big guy with thinning hair and beady eyes, but could talk shop and bullshit like no other. He had a Texan twang and always told workingman stories as if he were just some poor country boy who pulled himself up by the bootstraps and became successful, which wasn’t exactly true. His family had been one of the first to discover oil in West Texas during the oil boom, and it’d carried over several generations. By the way, his generation never hurt for money. He also attended private schools all of his young life and graduated with a law degree from Yale just like his father and grandfather, so the “I’m just a blue-collar guy” shtick didn’t fly if you knew his background.
Regardless, he knew how to carry a conversation and was charming. Sonya was sweet, but quiet—the perfect devoted politician’s wife. She was a mainstay on Richard’s arm giving him her undying support. Taylor told me she never felt a real connection with her mom and dad because they were always traveling while she was left most of the time with a nanny. She’d tried to have real conversations with her mother when she was in high school because she knew her sexual orientation, but her mom never wanted to talk about it. Taylor didn’t flat out come out of the closet, but had mentioned scenarios. What ifs? Sonya Shields was like an ostrich hiding her head in the sand because she just didn’t want to talk about it.
I put my hand at Taylor’s back giving her my support, while she tensed. “I am treating her right, sir.” I knew she hated being here as much as I. We both hated this charade. Not to mention, I was trying to keep it together since I hadn’t heard back from Theodora today. Didn’t know where she was. If I could just get through tonight and move on. If I could just make her understand.
My dad snapped his finger at one of the staff with a champagne tray, signaling for them to serve everyone around us. I should’ve been skeptical then. I should’ve been skeptical about the whole fucking evening.
Five minutes later, we all had fresh glasses of champagne flutes in our hands. I heard the tinkling of glass and my father called out, “Can I have your attention, please?”
Everyone turned as he smiled thriving with all eyes on him. “I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight in support of Richard Shields.” He held up his glass to his friend as the crowd followed. “Here’s to a prosperous future, friend.” Everyone applauded and toasted. When the noise died down, my father crooked his fingers at Taylor and I, while I shook my head knowing he was trying to manipulate the situation. His lips moved over the mic. “Come on over here. Don’t be shy.”
Taylor and I both looked like we would rather go out like Romeo and Juliet at this point. Drink the fucking poison before hearing Dad’s toxic, sham announcement that was sure to come. Either way, we both walked like zombies over to him. Let him have his glory moment and be the main attraction. He full-on smiled like the sleaze ball he was nodding his head like a creep, like the meme from Anger Management.
As we stood beside him, his eyes moved from side to side like a puppet. He leaned into the microphone. “Not only are we celebrating Richard’s campaign as our future Lieutenant Governor.” Taylor and I both arrived next to him at the same time, knowing our death sentence. “My son, Roman—”
“Sir, we have a situation,” one of the security suits warned softly behind him causing my father to pause and place his hand over the mic. The stern man leaned in and whispered something in his ear. My father’s mouth turned down as he narrowed his eyes at me. Something wasn’t right. Dad never lost his composure in public. It was very subtle, and if you didn’t know him well, you wouldn’t suspect it. However, I knew. He’d let his veneer crack before quickly gluing it back in place.
He forced a smile and lifted the microphone close. “Everyone, please excuse me. I have an urgent business call I must take. Please enjoy the champagne and appetizers.” He eyed Taylor’s father pleasantly. “Richard would you like to say a few words.” He held out the microphone to his friend, giving him an amicable pat on the back and sauntered off toward the house.
Taylor’s father engaged the crowd with his easy-going storytelling. The party went on as usual, while my mind raced wondering what was going on with my father. I spotted the man who spoke to Dad standing by the patio doors, so I made my way over. I held out my hand to him. “I’m Roman Martinez. Wanted to make sure the situation was under control.”
The man nodded with a wry smile. “Yeah. I thought it was just some unstable person trying to crash the party, since she wasn’t on the list. However, Mr. Martinez said she was cleared. Said she was a dear family friend.”
“Good to know,” I said. Unstable person? She? Again, I had a nagging feeling something wasn’t right. If Dad allowed one of his mistresses in here to fuck in the middle of this bullshit soiree, I would call his ass out. He didn’t have cherished family friends who were women. More like jilted lovers. Could’ve been someone who was holding information over his head, threatening to come out with an affair. Could’ve been someone wanting compensation from my father…
“Shit,” I breathed out and stalked inside straight to Dad’s office. A real piece of work, you are. This was my way out of his inane vendetta against Theodora and her mother. I was gonna bust his ass for the shady shit he did and get him off my back. I stood in front of the grand mahogany door that was closed; my hand lingered on the handle.
“You’ve managed to interrupt a very important party. You have five minutes to tell me why you’re here,” my father spoke in a bored tone beyond the door.
“I’m certain what I have will be more important to you than your party, and you will give me your undivided attention whether you want to or not.” At the sound of her voice, I clenched the knob trying to get a grip on my emotions. She was here. She was confronting him. Never show fear. Keep your cards close to your chest.
Theodora
I stood strong with fire in my veins squaring off with the intimidating Robert Martinez. I was fueled by emotion and only had some half-baked plan as I drove to his estate hoping he’d be home. Little did I know he was hosting some extravagant dinner party. Not that I cared either way.
“Did you come here to make idle threats?” he asked.
“I think you know why I’m here, so why don’t we cut to the chase.” I grasped the strap of my backpack tighter.
He walked over to a mini bar with no immediacy and selected an amber-filled snifter and poured the liquid into two glasses. With drinks in hand, he ambled casually over to me and motioned at one of the leather seats in front of me. “Sit.”