CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER NINE
E LODIE COMBED HER HAIR , trying to convince herself she had herself together—as if this were the sort of thing she did on the daily. Being transported in chauffeured cars and private planes accompanied by bodyguards because she was accompanying a stupendously wealthy man was no problem...and actually all that she could handle.
But facing her father for the first time in years? That was the emotional catastrophe causing her nausea right now. Not Ramon. Not the fact that he’d got out of bed early this morning without her even being aware of it. Not that he’d showered and dressed and continued his campaign of corporate domination while she had no idea what time it was or where her panties were. She’d thought she’d finally got herself together after the incredible experience he’d given her last night but then he’d flummoxed her with the gift of the building and then they’d spent most of the day in bed.
Shockingly, it wasn’t enough. She’d thought last night would salve her sensual ache, not make it worse . But it was definitely worse even after today’s luxurious sensual marathon. And the problem was that if everything went to plan tonight, both their other ‘needs’ would be met. Ashleigh’s engagement would be ended while Ramon would have the paperwork to secure that property. There’d be no reason for their ‘marriage’ to last that much longer. She was sure he wasn’t serious about the six months. From the little she could gather online, the man had short relationships and not many because he was ruthlessly focused on his work.
So actually Ramon totally bothered her. Or rather the feelings he aroused in her did. And now she had to face her father as well and she hadn’t faced him in years.
She would need every ounce of armour to get through the ordeal. She built it from the ground up—shoes, dress, jewellery, make-up, hair. She knew the purple gown was striking, especially with the diamonds glittering and the fake ruby gleaming. It ought to be too much but for an occasion like this it was perfectly over the top. She stepped out to meet him, eyes widening when she saw his suit. Immaculately tailored, it was the colour of her ruby engagement ring. Again, it should clash with her purple, but they were a match. Sartorially. Sexually.
That hunger in her awakened anew. ‘I’m impressed,’ she muttered almost grudgingly.
‘At last,’ he said dryly before flashing her a wicked grin. ‘I like dressing up for you, Elodie. I like you dressing up for me. I like undressing you even more. But all our efforts will have been for nothing if we don’t even make it out the door. ‘
He made her laugh. If he’d really done it to please her it had worked.
She ran her thumb over the back of her ring. ‘You really think your cousin will call off this engagement just because you’re married?’
‘I’m certain he will.’
Quelling those rising nerves, she stared out of the window of the helicopter and then in the car, not bothered that Ramon worked the entire time. It gave her a chance to practice breathing. She needed to—her lungs grew more constricted the nearer they got.
‘How long since you’ve been back?’ He broke into her spiralling thoughts.
She realised the car was approaching her parents’ place and went cold all over. ‘Over three years.’
The hotel’s former seaside glory was long gone. Honestly, she was surprised it was still standing. Her father—for all his loud bluster—wasn’t the best businessman, cut corners on upkeep and it was probably only because of the stunning views and the proximity to the sea that it had survived this long. Well, that and the tireless work her mother and sister did behind the scenes.
‘You didn’t miss it?’ He watched her.
‘The beach, absolutely.’ But not the endless unpaid shifts as housemaid. She felt bad she’d left her sister to do that on her own.
‘I moved to London and fell on my feet at that job at the escape room. I was so lucky.’
She’d met Phoebe there on one of her first shifts when Phoebe had been a guest on a corporate team-building day. It had been the start of the best friendship. And she’d grown confidence in discovering she was good at the work. The increasing responsibility and the respect the owner had given her had proven it. But all that confidence fled from her now.
‘How are we going to do this?’ She had to actively draw in a breath.
‘As quickly as possible,’ Ramon said. ‘So I can have you alone again.’ He took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
But as they walked inside she felt as if she were walking into an icebox. Never had she been so cold. He slowed on their way through the reception area and frowned at the frames behind the counter.
‘You’re excluded from family photos?’
‘They trade on it being a family hotel.’ Elodie winced. ‘My behaviour was not “family-friendly”.’
Ramon turned to her. ‘But still—’
‘We’re possessions to him, not really people.’ She let go of his hand to rub the tension from her forehead. It was hard to explain how it happened, how someone could have control over others in such an overwhelming, undeniable way. ‘It was important we make him look good—that we didn’t disrespect him, that we made him proud. His word was law—there was no compromise. He wasn’t willing to listen to alternative ideas. Not from me anyway.’
Ramon rolled his shoulders. ‘Your mother didn’t stand up to him? Your ex-husband?’
She dropped her hand and straightened. ‘It doesn’t matter—I shouldn’t need anyone to stand up for me. I should be able to handle it myself.’
She moved. There was no point delaying this. Ramon walked beside her as she moved towards the private function room. The door was ajar and she heard a polite laugh. When they walked in almost everyone in the room turned. She caught Ashleigh’s eye and inwardly winced at her sister’s desperate look of relief. But then she saw her father’s expression—shock, swiftly followed by rage. Yeah, he didn’t like surprises. Didn’t like not knowing what was going on—because that made his control vulnerable.
But suddenly Elodie wasn’t the capable, confident person she’d thought she’d become. She was a girl again. Afraid of displeasing the man who demanded complete obedience over everything. In a nanosecond she was entirely paralysed.
Her father stepped forward. ‘Who are—?’
‘Ramon Fernandez,’ Ramon interrupted coolly. ‘Elodie’s husband.’
Everyone stared—stunned—including Elodie, because she hadn’t expected him to just come out with it like that. But of course Ramon was nothing if not quick once he’d decided upon an action.
‘Full marks for dramatic entrance, no?’ he murmured as he put a firm hand on her back and guided her forward to claim centre space in the room.
Elodie shot him a brittle smile of appreciation and cowardly as it was, allowed him to take the lead. He wasn’t a cat amongst the pigeons, he was a panther. Sleek and predatory and totally at ease, and she was so grateful because he gave her a chance to breathe.
‘You’re... what ?’ her father asked.
‘With two such happy occasions this is the perfect time for us all to reunite, don’t you agree?’ Ramon picked up a cocktail and raised the glass.
No one agreed. No one said anything. But life began to trickle back into Elodie.
‘I wasn’t aware of it until recently, but it is amazing to consider our families’ double connection.’ Ramon sipped before immediately setting the glass down as if the taste had displeased him. ‘Of course Elodie and I don’t want to overshadow your upcoming celebrations, cousin.’ Ramon appeared regretful as he turned to the young man on the other side of her father. ‘Perhaps you ought to consider delaying your announcement—’
‘What?’ Elodie’s father turned puce.
‘Better still,’ Ramon continued, unperturbed by the interruption. ‘Cancel it completely.’
And that was definitely an order, not a suggestion.
Elodie had thought it would amuse Ramon to do this; instead she sensed he was actually battling a deep anger that went beyond her understanding.
‘You’re not... You can’t...’ Her father stepped forward. ‘You’re—’
‘Ramon Fernandez,’ Ramon repeated patiently. ‘Chair of Fernandez Group Holdings. Your daughter Elodie’s husband.’
Ashleigh had covered her mouth with her hand and had been slowly edging closer and closer to Elodie this whole time. ‘Elodie?’
‘One celebration at a time, I think,’ Ramon said as if it were all settled. ‘After all, Ashleigh is young. She hasn’t had much opportunity to see the world. Don’t you agree?’
Again, no one agreed.
Elodie looked at the well-dressed woman standing alongside her mother. It had to be Ramon’s aunt. She was younger than Elodie had imagined her to be—formidable and clearly furious. His cousin’s face was awash with colour and he fidgeted until his mother said something sharp in Spanish that stilled him.
‘Ashleigh.’ Ramon turned and addressed her sister in a far gentler tone. ‘It would be our pleasure if you would join Elodie and me in London. Take a break from the pressures here. Would you like that?’
Ashleigh’s eyes widened.
‘Ash—’
‘Don’t interrupt, Dad.’ Elodie finally remembered she had a spine and spoke firmly. ‘This is her choice.’
She looked her ruddy-faced father in the eyes and felt a completely foreign calm enter, easing her lungs as she stared him down. And for once he fell silent.
‘Is that okay?’ Ashleigh breathed right beside her. ‘Would that be okay?’
‘Of course. Go pack a bag.’ Elodie nodded. ‘Be quick.’
Her father’s eyes narrowed, taking in her dress, her diamonds. ‘You’re really married?’
‘Yes.’
It really seemed to be taking him a while to process it. Elodie glanced just beyond him to where her mother stood a step back. She’d paled but remained silent as always in any kind of ‘situation’. Elodie willed her to say something , to speak up just for once. But she didn’t. Maybe she never would. Maybe she’d been browbeaten too long. That was when Elodie’s heart ached.
‘I’ll take care of her, Mum,’ she said softly.
She should have got Ashleigh away sooner.
‘What about the engagement party?’ Her father spoke before her mother could even open her mouth. ‘We have people coming—’
‘As I said, cancel it,’ Ramon ordered harshly. ‘If you’re relying on either of your daughters’ matrimonial statuses to boost your business, then you might want to revisit your business plan.’
But Elodie’s father had no shame. ‘It’s very kind of you to take Ashleigh on a holiday.’ The switch to sycophant was laughably swift. ‘Perhaps you and Elodie will soon visit us again and stay. It would be nice to get to know you.’
Nice? Elodie gaped. His volte-face was completely mortifying and yet so predictable. Always he turned to the man— especially if he had money.
But Ramon turned to her. ‘That’s entirely Elodie’s decision.’
Elodie met his gaze. It was her time to say something, anything— all the things—but in the end there was little to say at all.
‘I don’t think I’ll be back,’ she said quietly.
There was a sharp silence.
Elodie wanted to leave, indeed she turned but then that stylish woman who’d been so quiet stepped towards Ramon.
‘You can’t let him have anything, can you?’
Ramon barely glanced her way. ‘She’s eighteen, Cristina, what were you thinking?’
‘That she’s fortunate to make such a good marriage so young.’
Ramon’s dismissive stance didn’t fool Elodie. She sensed that the anger she’d seen moments before was now rage.
‘Neither Ashleigh nor Jose Ramon ought to endure such extreme parental pressure,’ Ramon said harshly.
His aunt laughed. It was the bitterest thing Elodie had ever heard.
‘As if you’re doing this for him?’ Cristina scoffed. ‘ You got everything . Why shouldn’t he inherit something? Isn’t he owed that?’
‘You think I got everything?’ Ramon shot back. ‘I inherited isolation and pressure. I sacrificed everything to prove myself worthy.’
Elodie moved closer and slid her hand into his.
‘Are your dividends and allowances not enough?’ he added. ‘I can make adjustments if you need, but Jose Ramon is owed his liberty. Give him space to find a job for himself. A wife for himself. One he wants when he’s actually ready .’
‘Like you have?’ his aunt questioned sarcastically.
‘Exactly,’ he snapped.
‘You’re every bit as selfish as your father,’ she spat. ‘A dog in the manger. You don’t want it but you don’t want anyone else to have it either. You haven’t been there in years —’
‘Actually, Elodie and I are going there for our honeymoon.’ Ramon’s grip on Elodie’s fingers tightened. ‘And now we’ve seen you to offer our congratulations—or should that be commiserations —we can leave immediately.’