He held out a glass, while I stood my ground unmoving, causing him to chuckle. “Your defiance and move to play hero is quite charming, but this game will get old very quickly.” His humor fled at the drop of a hat, and he stressed with annoyance laced in his voice, “Sit down, Theodora, and talk.”
I didn’t move, and I saw anger flash in his dark eyes thinking he would physically make me. He forced the drink in my hand, and I heard the creak of the door behind me. I twisted my head as Roman passed through with a poker face giving nothing away. His dad quirked his mouth. “Hello, son. Look who crashed the party.”
“And you were going to keep this from me, Father?” Roman strode casually closer until he stood beside me. He tsked. “Keeping her all to yourself. Where are your manners?”
His tone was light, but his face was as cool as granite.
“She came here to see me.”
“Is that so? Why are you here, Theodora?” He kept his level tone, and I saw his hand move behind me to gently yank my ponytail causing me to give my full attention. “Are you back to negotiate another ‘scholarship’ out of my dad?” His palm scraped over my bare shoulder, lingering behind my neck before he dragged me down, my butt hitting the leather cushion.
My eyes narrowed as I thought about the messages he’d left earlier today telling me I was in danger, and he was the only one who could help me. What he’d said when I caught him on the phone with his father. What kind of game was he playing? He was clearly on his father’s side. He was clearly a liar. “I’m doing exactly what you couldn’t.” I schooled my features and checked my nails in boredom. “I have all the information you were so desperate to find.” I ran my eyes over both Martinez men. “And I will never ask for a single dime from you.”
“Ever?” Roman raised a brow. He studied me with a detachment that scared me. How could he call and leave frantic messages? How could he lie and tell me how much he needed me? How could he bulldoze into my life and then disengage? How could he offer his help with my mom’s situation knowing what happened in the past? He said he’d let the past go. “Never ever?”
“Don’t,” I warned. “I did not try to blackmail you. I had no part in that.”
“Ah, but your mother did.” Something flashed in his eyes, a warning. “What is it you want?”
I leveled my gaze on Mr. Martinez. “I want to hear your father’s side of the story.”
For such a formidable, uncaring man, I saw redness flush his tanned, chiseled-to-perfection cheeks. He straightened his tie with one hand. “And to what story are you referring?”
Play dumb, old man, but we both know what I’m talking about. Roman shifted his eyes between both of us in impatience. I laughed harshly. “Tell me the story about how you seduced my mother.” I felt the tightening of knuckles behind my neck as Roman clenched the leather seat.
“I have no idea what you mean,” Roman’s dad responded with unease.
“Well, I have years of written words with dates explaining in detail what happened between you two.” I patted my bag where I’d stashed the journal. “I can read it to you, but I might not be able to control my nausea.”
“Is it true?” Roman croaked behind me. He didn’t sound so indifferent now. He sounded shocked, clueless of the situation. “Did you fuck Rhonda, too?” The crassness of his comment made me sick. She was only one of many. Was that all it was? Was that all I was to Roman as well? Like father like son?
“She came on to me,” his father said. “It was one time. A grave mistake.”
The way he threw it out like it was a one-time ordeal ignited me to no end. “She loved you! You pursued her. Seduced her. Broke down her defenses. Told her you loved her. It wasn’t a one-time mistake. It lasted for years. You led her on and then she found out she was carrying your child.”
“Fuck,” Roman muttered behind me.
His father shook his head solemnly. “Who would believe her story? Her mother is in a rehab facility recovering from drug addiction. Not to mention, she threatened my family and blackmailed us. She used you too, Theodora, to get back at me for whatever wrongs she thought I committed. It takes two to tango. She’s at fault as much as me.” He strolled over to the bureau slamming his glass down as he grabbed a bottle.
I popped up and slapped my hand on the table. “You tried to end her life!”
He paused mid pour. “I did no such thing.”
“You did because she was going to tell your wife. You were scared and going to lose everything.”
“You know nothing, little girl.”
I opened my mouth to respond because there was so much more to say, but I gasped as Roman grabbed my backpack and rummaged through it, pulling out the notebook. I shot out of the chair spinning around. “No!” My fingers dug into his wrist trying to wrench it from him. “Give it back, now.”
He easily yanked it out of reach as his intense eyes burned into mine, and his chest expanded with each breath. I could see the unsung pain he tried so hard to bury with his stiff upper lip. This was killing him, too. The knowledge that my mother and his father had an affair.
“Good work, son. Give me the notebook.” His father wheeled his finger in rapid motion anxious to have the book in his hands.
However, Roman wasn’t in any hurry to hand it over.
There was a sharp knock on the door before Taylor’s dad barged in with Antoni and Taylor trailing behind him. “Uh, Bob? Are we gonna serve dinner soon? I’m on a tight schedule, and by now guests should’ve been seated so we can start the auction. You know I have an early flight to El Paso tomorrow morning.” The man was obviously so self-centered that he didn’t have any idea he’d walked in on a shit show. “We’re just waiting on your blessing.”
I glanced behind me as Roman’s father adjusted his tie and held up a hand. “Yes. I’m coming. Go ahead.” Mr. Shields was already headed out with Taylor giving one last glance as she followed her dad. Roman’s father rounded his desk with composure in check and Antoni approached. His dad reached for the evidence, but Roman drew his arm back. Robert scowled. “Roman come with me.” He snapped his fingers at Antoni. “Stay here and don’t let her leave.” He spoke as though I wasn’t here, and would be obedient and know my place.
“No,” Roman growled.
“Don’t argue with me tonight. You need to keep up appearances with your fiancée.” My heart dropped down to my stomach. They were engaged? They were already engaged?
“Relax, hermano, I’ll take good care of her.” Antoni smirked as he placed his hand on my hip. I shriveled away from the contact.
“Touch her again, and I’ll send your ass to the ER.” Roman stepped in until he was nose-to-nose with his brother.
“Hermano, get a hold on yourself,” his brother warned. “Act like a Martinez. Where’s your composure?”
“Give me the notebook, son,” Robert urged.
Ignoring his father, Roman nodded his head toward the door. “Go. Take little wannabe businessman, too, because I’m not leaving her alone here with him.”
Robert checked his watch shaking his head in frustration. “Fine. Stay with her, but if something happens while I’m gone—”