Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Following drinks and the amazing supper which Vivian had ordered in, Rachel and Matthew returned to his apartment. As they were leaving, Bryce gave her a hug. “Sorry about the bear joke. We’re so glad you escaped.”
“Thanks. I hope Matthew didn’t give you too much grief over it.”
She caught the wicked look on Vivian’s face as they headed for the door. Her shopping fiend of a friend was standing behind Bryce’s back. “Matt gave him so much shit. I’m going to have to work some bedroom magic tonight in order to soothe his billionaire ego,” whispered Vivian.
Rachel was still snorting over Vivian’s quip about bedroom magic, when she and Matthew reached his apartment. This weekend was already the highlight of her life, and she was yet to make it to the Royal family island.
Matthew lingered just inside the doorway. “I’ve got to go upstairs and quickly check in with my parents about some final wedding arrangements. They’re flying down to Turks and Caicos tonight. I’ll be back in about an hour, so are you okay to stay here and kick off your shoes. Unless of course you want to come and meet my folks.”
She’d been out all day, and well into the evening, and was beyond tired. She didn’t have enough energy to be the least bit bright and sparkly when she met Matthew’s parents for the first time. Rachel shook her head. “Is it okay, if I meet them tomorrow?”
First impressions counted. There would be time for that on the island, after they’d arrived, and after she’d done some of her deep breathing exercises, and after she’d slipped into one of the gorgeous dresses, he’d bought her today.
Matthew gave Rachel a lingering kiss along with the promise that he wouldn’t be gone too long. Apparently, he’d been tasked with organizing the DJ for the after party and Alice Royal had questions about noise levels and the ability of the older guests to be able to talk to one another.
In the living room, Rachel stood and stared at the multitude of bags, boxes, and suitcases the building’s concierge had brought up in the elevator.
When her cell buzzed, she didn’t give it a second thought, and hit receive.
“Will you accept a collect call from inmate Scott Davilla at Ware State Prison, Georgia?”
Why did her father have to call now? She’d had an amazing day with the future Vivian Royal, and for the first time in a long time had been able to forget all about her family’s troubles.
Her father seemed to possess a sixth sense for when the other members of the Davilla family were enjoying themselves—and he would do anything to cut the joy from their lives.
“Yes, I will accept the call,” she replied dully. If she didn’t accept his call now, he would keep calling until she did.
There was a click and her father’s voice came on the line. “ Your mother tells me you are still with the Royal boy. Things must be getting pretty serious.”
Boy? Matthew is a real man.
“We are working on a design proposal together, nothing more.”
She wasn’t going to tell him anything else. Her father had the nose of a bloodhound when it came to other people’s money.
“I need four‐million dollars. That’s all. It shouldn’t be too much for you to ask him to give you that small an amount of cash. Think of all the things I’ve done for you.”
All the things he’d done for her? Rachel wanted to vomit. Her father had ruined her business. Burned her friendships. Seen the end to her engagement. Though she’d give him a pass on that last one as he’d probably saved her a great deal of heartache a couple of years down the line. Everything Scott Davilla had done had cost her dearly, including leaving the only life she’d ever known.
Yeah, Dad, you’ve done everything.
“I’m not going to ask Matthew Royal or anyone else from his family for such a ridiculous amount of money. That’s just plain offensive. Give me one good reason why I would even consider doing that?”
“If I can pay back my old clients, I can get my sentence reduced. But if you won’t do it for me, do if for your Mama. Think of all the years she’ll spend alone while I’m banged up in here.”
Bastard. He was playing the guilt card. If she didn’t help him get out of prison, her mother would suffer. Her mother had never held a real job, and Rachel doubted she’d know how to work and earn a wage. Patricia would be forced to spend the next five years relying on the charity of her brother, her life in a constant state of limbo.
This is so unfair .
Saying no to a man who had perfected the art of wrapping people around his little finger was harder than it sounded, especially when that man was her father.
“I have to go. I can’t. I …”
Rachel hung up. Between now and the next time her father called, she was going to have to find the strength to say no once and for all. Her future happiness depended on it.