Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Bowen
“Mr. and Mrs. Brevos,” I growled, rougher than I intended. “How did you get my room number?”
Tall and imposing in his tailored suit, Brevos shrugged. “I own the hotel,” he said, as if that gave him the right to invade my privacy. He extended his hand. “Benjamin Brevos. Pleased to meet you.”
I stared at his hand, every fiber of my being urging me to refuse it. This man had manipulated and controlled Parker, but I could almost hear her voice in my head, gently reminding me to be the bigger person. So, against my better judgment, I reached out and clasped his hand, matching his tight grip with equal force. We might as well have whipped them out and measured. It was more than a handshake; it was a challenge, an unspoken battle of wills. For a moment, we stood there, locked in a silent contest, sizing each other up.
“Bowen Monroe,” I said coldly.
He turned to the woman at his side, his arm sliding around her waist. Parker’s mother, svelte and impeccably dressed, barely acknowledged me. Her mouth pinched as if she’d tasted something sour.
“My wife, Constance Brevos,” he said.
I nodded.
She wrung her hands and knit her brow as if nervous.
Benjamin swept his free arm wide. “May we step inside and talk?”
I stood my ground, crossing my arms over my chest and widening my stance. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say here.”
With a calculating slant to his head, he said, “It’s about your mother.”
The mention of my mother sent a chill racing down my spine, a sudden, cold dread that tightened my chest. “Is she okay?” The last time we talked, she was chattering and excited about planning her trip to Florida. Had something happened?
Benjamin didn’t answer directly. Instead, he nodded toward the door, a subtle demand to take the conversation inside. Asshole.
I swallowed my anger and tapped my keycard against the lock, the door clicking open with a soft beep. Once inside, I crossed the room, putting distance between us, and turned to face them.
“Talk,” I said flatly.
Benjamin adopted a casual pose that belied the seriousness of the situation. “She found an amazing, last-minute deal on a suite at an exclusive resort in the Keys. She’s enjoying mimosas by the pool.”
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion gnawing at me. “Your doing?”
He shrugged, the gesture nonchalant, like it didn’t matter one way or the other. My emotions twisted inside me—a toxic mix of relief that my mother was safe and well, and anger that he’d played a role in her trip. I didn’t appreciate him meddling in her life.
“When she returns from vacation, the press won’t bother her until this…interest…dies down. The next big story will come along and ease the pressure. She’ll be able to go back to her job.”
I wanted to take comfort in his assurance, but the way he spoke, as if he controlled the very course of events, set my teeth on edge. The conflicting emotions tore at me. I hated the idea of him manipulating my mother, but I couldn’t deny that the prospect of her being safe and out of the public eye brought me a measure of relief.
“But Bowen,” Benjamin continued, his tone turning almost fatherly, “she’s underemployed. She could do so much better than her current position as an office manager. She has the potential to move up, but no opportunity.”
I crossed the room, clenching my fists tightly. “I don’t like that you investigated my mother.”
He shrugged again, as if my opinion was of no consequence. “I have a proposal. We have a position open in the marketing department of one of our New York subsidiaries. Her entry-level salary would be twice what she’s making now, the work would be engaging, and there would be an opportunity for advancement.” He told me a little more about the job. “Should we offer her the position?”
It sounded like my mother’s dream job, but… “What’s the catch?” I asked warily.
Shrewd eyes studied me from behind heavy-framed rectangular glasses. “You stop seeing Parker. You’re not worthy of her.”
The words knocked the breath from my lungs. For a moment, the room spun, and I had to steady myself.
He was right. I was not worthy of her.
I wasn’t blind to my own flaws. Growing up, I had a front-row seat to what a lousy husband and father looked like. My old man didn’t care about anyone but himself. As much as I tried not to be like him, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was bound to repeat his mistakes. In addition, I didn’t go to college like Parker, and sometimes I felt that divide.
My shoulders slumped, and a gleam lit her father’s eye.
Bastard.
He was manipulating me, speaking to my fears. I straightened my shoulders.
How dare he? How dare he offer me something so precious to my mother in exchange for Parker’s and my happiness? I felt a surge of protectiveness, an overwhelming need to shield Parker from this controlling prick.
The realization struck me like a blow on the ice, and I staggered back a step. I lo—I lov—yes, I loved Parker. But the first time I admitted it wouldn’t be to her scheming father. Parker deserved better than that—she deserved to hear it from me. During a moment that was special.
I wouldn’t tell her when I related this conversation to her—and I would tell her about her father’s ultimatum. Declaring my love for her for the first time during that conversation would spoil my declaration. I’d wait for the perfect time.
Benjamin’s voice broke through my thoughts. “…more time to think about it?”
I realized I’d been silent too long, lost in the gravity of my epiphany. I focused on him, my gaze narrowing. “No,” I said, the word a growl in my throat. “Not only no, but fuck no. We can make our own choices, and we choose each other.”
Benjamin’s eyes narrowed, and his lips thinned. “Are you sure that’s your answer? Consider your mother’s future.”
“That’s my final answer, and my mother wouldn’t want me to accept your bribe,” I spat. “Now get out of my room.”
His jaw clenched. “You’ll regret this.”
“No, you will.” I would have to tell Parker about this encounter, and she would be hurt.
And furious.
For the first time, the man’s outward confidence faltered. “It, uh, would probably be best if we kept this between us.”
“I won’t lie for you.” My tone was as cold and strong as steel. “I won’t keep your secret.”
He winced.
Score.