Chapter 7
Allison silently cursed, agreeing to this scheme as Diana’s future relative strolled into the house.
Dressed in khaki trousers, a blue silk shirt and with his graying hair slicked back, he looked like a professional businessman.
But something about Hernandez, other than his questionable reputation, always creeped out Allison.
He saw Diana, stopped short. No welcoming smile or greeting. Only a frown, which deepened at the sight of Allison.
His olive complexion grew ruddy as he spotted Rafe. She had to stay calm and collected, play this out. Because her gut warned this was not a man who liked uninvited guests.
And he was smart enough to detect a fed from a mile away.
“Diana.” Hernandez spoke with only the trace of an accent. His voice held no warmth. “I didn’t realize you were coming over.”
“Mr. Hernandez,” she began.
“You should have told me, Diana.”
Allison lifted her chin and forced a smile. She stuck out a hand.
“Mr. Hernandez, remember me? We met at the engagement party. I’m Allison Lexington, Diana’s sister.
A pleasure to meet you. I’m afraid this visit is all my doing.
I promised to help Di with ideas for flowers for the wedding and some potted plants, and with my schedule this is the only time I could accommodate her.
Not that your estate isn’t gorgeous enough, but some of the colors Di has for the wedding. ..”
But he ignored her hand and stared at Rafe, who had pulled his hat low on his face.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
Rafe mumbled something about being the man helping with the design of floral and landscaping arrangements for the wedding.
“Who cleared this guy?” Hernandez demanded.
“He’s my friend,” Allison countered. “Rafe cultivates exotic flowers and also does landscaping, and I thought he could help with the flowers for the wedding.”
“No one sets foot inside my house or on the estate without prior clearance.” Hernandez turned to Diana. “You knew this, Diana. I don’t care if it’s your family or not. My guys need to check out everyone.”
Hernandez turned to the man at his side. “Fire those two idiots at the gate who let them inside. Give them their checks and send them across the bay.”
For a wild minute she wondered if the two men at the gate would only lose their jobs. Hernandez seemed like the type to clean house thoroughly.
To her alarm, the man turned to Rafe and his gaze narrowed. Rafe calmly lifted his gaze.
“Mr. Hernandez,” he said. But his tone carried a slight note of contempt.
Oh dear. Allison knew she had to hustle everyone out of here. Now.
“I can smell a cop a mile away.” Hernandez looked Rafe up and down. “Something around here stinks.”
Rafe held the other man’s gaze, but Allison could see the pulse beating at the base of his throat.
The FBI agent was either scared or furious.
Rafe gave a slow smile. “Maybe it’s your cologne.”
Big mistake. Her respect for the agent grew, but she saw the look on Hernandez’s face.
The man punched him square in the jaw.
Reeling backward from the blow, he managed to hold his stance.
“Where I come from, we treat a man with respect in his home. I don’t like your manners, you cuca.”
Blood trickled from the corner of Rafe’s mouth. A bruise was already starting to flower on his skin. But he lifted his head and stared at Hernandez as if the blow were nothing.
“Give me that thing,” Hernandez demanded, pointing at the tablet.
A guard tore the electronic tablet from Rafe’s hands and gave it to Hernandez. The man scrolled through the photos.
“Matching colors,” Rafe said, not dropping his gaze. “Useful for the flower arrangements in coordinating the palette for the wedding. Muted hues will blend seamlessly with the brighter candy colors Diana mentioned for the bridal party.”
“Toss this,” Hernandez instructed to the guard. He glared at Rafe. “Muted colors my ass. I didn’t hire you, and Diana is going to fire you right now.”
Allison watched as the guard went outside and tossed the tablet into Biscayne Bay. There went evidence that Hector Hernandez was storing drugs.
“I’ll expect compensation for my lost electronic device,” Rafe said.
She had to hand it to the man, he had big cojones. Maybe even Hernandez thought so for a nanosecond, for his expression changed as if he were amused. Then his scowl deepened.
She went to Diana and put an arm around her for reassurance. Diana trembled visibly. Her sister always hated confrontations. She was a people pleaser. Naive and never wanted to believe the worst.
If this were my wedding, I’d tell this punk exactly what he could do with his gift of the wedding ceremony and the catering. I’d rather get married in a garbage dump than set one foot near this cretin. Or bring any of my family here.
Hernandez got in Rafe’s face. “You have ten seconds to get the hell out my home before you join your tablet. Only I’m gonna chum the water with blood to get the sharks here first so you can make a tasty snack for them.”
* * *
In silence, they rode back to the parking lot to pick up Rafe’s truck. Diana drove again, but her hands visibly shook.
When they pulled into the parking lot, Allison glanced back at Rafe. “I need a minute alone with my sister, please.”
He nodded and got out. “I’ll be over at my truck.”
As soon as he left, Allison turned to Diana. “This is the place where you really want to have your wedding? With a man who threatens violence? Di, what gives?”
“Hector’s not that bad.” But Diana looked shaken.
“No, at least he didn’t shoot Rafe. Di, please reconsider this wedding. I’ll help you find another venue. It’s not too late.”
“It is.” Her gaze went downward. “I’ve invested too much time in this and so has Paul.”
“Well, it’s your wedding, but damn, between Hector’s temper and that nasty housekeeper who called you a...you know what... Wasn’t she the same woman who was at the dress shop? The one who was nasty to you?”
“She’s more than that. She’s Paul’s ex-girlfriend.” Diana bit her lip.
Allison groaned. “Di! This is bad news. Why the hell is she working for his uncle?”
“Paul felt sorry for her. After Paul broke up with her and she moved out of his condo, she was going to be homeless. Miami is so expensive and she had no place to go. So he asked his uncle to provide housing for her in exchange for light housekeeping.”
“Di, why would you have the wedding here if Paul’s ex is going to be here as well? This is the last place I’d think you’d want to be married!”
“It’s a perfect venue. Besides, Hector is giving Lucy the entire weekend off and money to go see her sister in Tampa. She won’t be around.”
Maybe Uncle Hector should join her. “You sure?”
Diana showed her a cell phone contact. “Positive. When Paul wasn’t looking, I got her cell number from his phone.
I was thinking of hiring a private detective to track her to make sure she won’t interfere with the wedding.
As for Hector, well, he cherishes his privacy. It’s my fault for not notifying him.”
No it’s not. But she didn’t argue. Allison took a picture of the phone number and name on Diana’s cell. She tucked her own phone away.
An older model black sedan pulled into the parking lot. Diana’s mood brightened.
“Paul!”
Her sister raced out of the car to greet her fiancé. He turned, then swept her into his arms for a long kiss.
She joined Rafe outside by his truck. “Do we wait here until they’re finished or can I leave now?” he asked dryly.
“Come on. She tends to get scatterbrained around him.”
Paul stopped kissing Diana as they went toward him. Arm firmly around her waist, he greeted Allison warmly and gave Rafe a curious look.
Rafe extended his hand, his expression neutral. “Rafael.” The handshake was brief.
“Nice to meet you. Any friend of Allison’s is a friend of mine. Especially since we’ll be family soon.”
“Rafe was thinking about helping with the wedding. His cousin is a florist.” She pointed to the truck.
Paul kept his smile but shook his head. “Baby, I told you, Uncle Hector wants to handle everything, flowers, catering, everything. It’s his gift to us. I’m his only godson. I told you this. Why can’t you listen to me?”
At Diana’s crestfallen expression, Allison wanted to kick Paul. “It’s our way of helping, too. It is usually the responsibility of the bride’s parents to pay for the wedding.”
Diana’s fiancé blinked. “Well, I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm. I could talk to Uncle Hector. Anything to make you happy, sweetie.”
Diana beamed. “I love you, bae.”
“I can’t wait until we’re married. I’m going to spoil you with breakfast in bed and everything you ever wanted.”
“All I ever wanted was you.”
They cooed at each other like doves. Allison rolled her eyes at Rafe, who seemed to be suppressing a laugh. At least Paul seemed to truly love her sister.
But all this lovey-dovey stuff was driving up her glucose levels.
Rafe held up a hand. “It’s all right. It’s your day and I don’t want to interfere. But if you need my help, be happy to offer it.”
Paul grinned again.
Then Paul turned to Diana. “I got you a gift, baby. It’s in the car. A little something to celebrate you quitting modeling.”
Diana’s expression went from sunny to cloudy in a minute. “Honeypie, I told you I want to keep working after we’re married. My career is finally taking off and I have all the right contacts.”
“My wife doesn’t have to work. I make enough money to support you in style.” He kept smiling, but Allison sensed an underlying tension.
“I’d best take off,” Rafe said, nodding at them.
“Thanks again for offering your help,” Paul said, but he was already opening the sedan’s door for Diana.
Diana called out to her. “Ally, would you mind taking the Mercedes to my apartment? Thanks!”
Allison shook her head. Once more, Diana relied on her and didn’t even ask how the hell Allison was supposed to get home. Or to work.
Uber, here we come.