But he strode toward them like a man on a mission. “What’s going on?”
Ben glared at him. “None of your business, Ramón.”
Though Rafael refrained from touching her, he didn’t attempt to hide his concern. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
She needed to make him leave before his protective instincts kicked in. Even if he wanted to come to her aid, she couldn’t let him take that risk.
“I’m fine.” She took a deep, shuddering breath. “Why don’t you go back to the kitchen and finish up?”
Ben’s gaze moved from Rafael to her and then back to Rafael. Like he was putting the pieces together. He narrowed his eyes at Rafael. “Are you fucking her?”
No. She had to take control before things went off the rails. She addressed her ex firmly. “Ben, it’s time for you to go. I’m going to call you a ride.”
“It’s true, isn’t it?” He gave her a look of contempt. “You’re nothing but a slut.”
“Don’t speak to her that way.” Rafael clenched his hands.
Her heart rate quickened at the sight of Rafael, fired up and ready to take down Ben. “Stop it, both of you. I’m exhausted. All I want to do is clean up and go home.”
Ben clamped his hand on her arm. “Answer the question. Are you fucking him or not?”
Rafael took another step closer. Though he was only a few inches taller than Ben, his muscular build and menacing scowl gave him a more intimidating appearance. “You need to leave.”
“Fuck you, Ramón,” Ben spat out. “You’re fired. I don’t want you or your damn company anywhere near my wedding.”
Victoria’s stomach plummeted. In all the worst-case scenarios she’d envisioned for the wedding—the trees not arriving, the weather turning nasty, the ballroom catching on fire—she’d never imagined a showdown between her ex and her lover.
“You can’t fire him,” she said. “There’s no way we can find another caterer before Saturday.”
He gave a dismissive snort. “I don’t care. I never wanted Mexican food in the first place.”
As much as it pained her to humble herself, she softened her tone. “Please don’t do this. Rafael’s worked so hard on this wedding. We both have.”
His lip curled in a sneer. “I don’t give a shit. Find me someone else. And get this prick out of here.”
“Victoria?” Rafael said. “Are you going to take this from him?”
She gnawed on her lip, biting it until she could taste blood. Ben was a first-class asshole. And he was too drunk to realize the absurdity of what he was asking. How on earth could she find someone to replace Tres Hermanos in three days?
But she knew what her father’s response would be. Ben was her client. And this was herjob.
Rafael stared at her with a stunned expression on his face. “This is bullshit. We have a contract.”
Ben released her arm and turned toward Rafael. “Didn’t you hear me? Get the fuck out of here.”
“I heard you,” Rafael said. “But I want to hear it from Victoria.”
She wanted to stand up for him. To show her entitled ex he held no power over her. But she couldn’t find the words.
“If you don’t fire him, I’m calling your father,” Ben said to her. “And I’m telling himeverything.”
No. Victoria could only imagine her father’s wrath if he learned about her fling. She forced herself to meet Rafael’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t have a choice.”
With a look of fury, he turned and strode out of the ballroom, slamming the door behind him. One of the silver ornaments fell off the nearest tree and crashed to the floor, shattering into tiny pieces. Like her heart.
Ben raked his hand through his hair. “That fucker was out of line. You need to find me someone who knows his place.”
“Are you out of your mind?” She wanted to shake him. “The wedding’s in three days.”
