Chapter 11
EMILIANO
Emiliano’s uncle looks at him, concern etched on his face. “What’s going on, Emiliano?”
“Why are you so set on marrying this girl? Is she forcing your hand?”
Emiliano can’t help but chuckle. “Uncle, come on. Anyone who’d dare to try that must have a death wish. You know I don’t play by anyone else’s rules.”
“That’s exactly why I’m confused. Your mom’s been nagging you to settle down for years, and now, out of nowhere, you’re engaged. Don’t give me that ‘I’m in love’ crap. I’m your uncle—I know you. You don’t do anything without a reason. What’s the real story?”
Emiliano lets out a sigh. “I have a son.”
His uncle’s eyes widen. “What? Since when? Is she the mother?”
“Yes, she is. His name is Alex, and he’s six months old.”
“Are you sure he’s yours? Did you get a DNA test?”
“Yes, Uncle, I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be marrying her.” He takes a sip of his drink.
“Where has she been all this time? Why didn’t you mention her before? Why the secrecy?”
“I only found out recently myself.”
“So, why marry her?” his uncle asks. “Why not just share custody? She doesn’t seem like the type to fight you on that.”
“I have my reasons, Uncle, and they’re personal. Now, if we’re done with this conversation, I have a meeting to get to.”
“Do you even know anything about her? Her family? Where she’s from?”
“I know enough.”
Just then, one of Emiliano’s business associates approaches. “Luis, good to see you.”
“John, we need to grab that drink you owe me,” Emiliano’s uncle replies.
“Absolutely, just name the time and place. Emiliano, are you ready? We’re waiting for you.”
Emiliano nods and follows John to their table. He glances over at Cassie, who’s still chatting with Beth at the bar, and feels a sense of relief.
CASSANDRA
“Why don’t you and Emiliano join us for dinner downstairs after his meeting?” Beth suggests to Cassandra.
“We wouldn’t want to impose,” Cassandra replies.
“Don’t be silly. You’re about to be family. We should get to know each other.”
Mr. Perez comes over and wraps his arm around Beth. She gives him a warm smile. “I was just inviting Cassandra to join us for dinner.”
“Please do,” he adds. “And I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Okay,” Cassandra agrees. “We’ll be there.”
Emilio is deep in conversation with some men at the back of the room when they leave her alone at the bar, so she orders another drink. After a few minutes, a handsome man takes the seat next to her and orders a whiskey.
“Hi there,” he says.
“Hello,” she replies.
“I’m Jack. Mind if I join you?”
“It’s a free country,” she says. “I’m Cass.”
“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing here all by herself?”
“I’m not alone. My fiancé is in a meeting.”
Jack’s eyes flick to her left hand. “How can he leave a beautiful woman like you alone? There are plenty of men here who’d love to keep you company.”
Cassandra takes a sip of her wine. “Well, they’re out of luck. I’m taken.”
“Just my luck. I was hoping to get your number.”
She smiles at him. “I’m guessing you’re not here alone either?”
“If only I was as lucky as your fiancé. Then I wouldn’t be alone.”
“I find it hard to believe a good-looking guy like you doesn’t have a girlfriend or a wife.”
“All the beautiful ones are already taken,” Jack replies, giving her a charming smile.
“You’re right, and she’s mine,” Emilio says, surprising Cassandra. He leans down to kiss her passionately. “Ready for dinner, sweetheart?”
“Are you finished?” she asks, a little breathless.
“Wishing for more alone time?” he whispers, glancing at Jack.
“No, I…”
“Thanks for keeping my fiancé company,” Emilio says to Jack. He pulls Cassandra off her stool. “Let’s go.”
When they reach the hotel lobby, Emilio pushes her against the wall. “Who was that guy?” he demands.
His face is hard, his tone icy. “Nobody,” Cassandra answers.
“Don’t lie to me, Cassandra.”
She tries to move away, but he’s got her cornered. “I’m not lying. I don’t know him. He just came up to the bar and ordered a drink. We were just talking—why are you so upset?”
“Don’t,” Emilio warns. “Don’t push me.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.” Cassandra raises her voice. “I can talk to whoever I want.” Emilio’s face is so close their breaths mingle, but even though his eyes are filled with anger, she refuses to back down. “Let me go, Emilio.”
“No woman has ever made a fool of me. Don’t even think about it.”
“So, now I can’t talk to anyone because you said so?”
“The way you were smiling at him—you call that talking?”
“You’re not making sense.” Cassandra tries to pull away from him, but she barely moves before he whirls her back into his arms. Pressed against him, she can feel the solid strength of Emilio’s chest against her own.
“I’m the one not making sense? Did you not see the way he was eyeing you? Like you were some kind of prize he wanted to claim? His gaze was practically glued to your chest.”
“And you’re any different? Why get all worked up when someone else looks at me the same way you do?”
Emilio mutters a curse under his breath, his grip on her tightening. “Don’t speak about things you don’t understand.”
“I’m just stating the facts. You just want to sleep with me to show off that Emilio Rodriguez can get any woman he wants—even someone as insignificant as me. Then, when you’re bored, you’ll toss me aside and move on to the next.
“Well, I’m sorry, Mr. Rodriguez, but I don’t think I can settle for such a shallow relationship. Even someone as insignificant as me has standards.”
