“Might as well, but get rid of any penalties and fees.I will not trap Lourdes in a situation where she cannot afford to buy her freedom.”Not that he expected she would ever want to dump him like yesterday’s garbage.This contract was just a formality.Best he do everything aboveboard from now on.“About Lourdes’s belongings, I want them as soon as possible,” he told her father.
Villegas snatched his phone from his pocket.“It’s en route to the Nogales plaza.Give me your address.I’ll text the driver.”Once Enrique rattled it off, the jefe rapidly tapped the screen.“Done.My men will drop it off this evening.About the punishment,” he mocked and swung his crooked grin from Enrique to Rubén, “what do you have in mind for my soon-to-be son-in-law?”
“That ridiculous termination fee is plenty,” Rubén replied with a bite.“However, that money will go to Zayas.Enrique will pay you the same in reparations, and the matter will be settled.Agreed?”
“Figures.I knew you’d let him off easy, but fine, I agree.”Villegas stood and straightened his lapels.He glowered at Enrique.“I’m off to my hotel.My flight is at seven, but if the contract is ready today, I’ll sign it before I leave.Otherwise, I’ll do it once you and Lourdes arrive.Be at my home by Tuesday at the latest.The wedding will begin at noon on Wednesday with the civil part one hour before.”
A million dollars to get out of this mess.Carajo.It could’ve been worse.Much worse.
Standing, Enrique braced himself for another argument.“Lourdes only wants the civil ceremony.Nothing traditional.”Though she might change her mind now that they didn’t have to rush it.Regardless, he wouldn’t marry in Villegas territory for anything in the world.
“What?”Villegas jerked back as though slapped.“She must follow tradition.”
“Not in this.It’s our wedding, and we’re having it on my turf.Friends and family are welcome.Will you and your wife attend?”
“Absolutely not.If she wishes to demean herself and her family, yet again, that is her choice.”He harrumphed and addressed Rubén.“Inform me when the wedding is done.”
Rubén nodded.“I will.”
Villegas grudgingly extended his hand to Enrique.“Welcome to the family.I’ll take my money tonight.Cash.”
Enrique arched his eyebrow at the offered hand.His jaw ticked.Every bone in his body screamed at him to spit in the man’s palm.But for Lourdes, he reached out and gripped it.Not a handshake.A test of dominance.He squeezed hard, holding for too long, meeting Villegas’s strength before they let go at the same time.
The door slammed open.
Enrique jerked around as Sera zipped in faster than lightning.
Rubén bolted to his feet.“Sera?”
“Papá Rubén!”Her breath hitched.She pointed out the doorway.“That angry man is yelling at Mamá.”
Enrique hurried out with Rubén and Villegas behind him.
Voices thundered from somewhere down the hall.Lourdes and Drina, shrill with fury.
Zayas cursed.
Oh, hell no.Enrique seethed.His boots pounded the marble tile as though a demon rode his back.Fiery heat blasted through his neck to his chest.
“You slut!”Zayas shouted.“You think you can walk away from me, make a fool of me!”
“Stop it, Diego,” Lourdes snapped back.
“Leave.”Drina’s steady, deep voice carried with an imperious edge.“This is my home.”
“Yourhome?A slave—now mistress of the manor?”
Enrique fisted his hands, strode through the gleaming foyer, and barged into the living room from the open double doorway.
Lourdes and Drina stood arm-in-arm near the glass coffee table as Zayas ranted, his back to Enrique.Anger transfixed the women’s faces in tight lines.Sunlight spilled in from the patio doors and cast them in sharp relief.
“Listen, you little bitch—” Zayas stepped forward and reached for Lourdes.
She slapped him across the face, and the crack of her hand hitting its target split the air.“I would ratherdiethan marry you.”
Zayas snatched her arm.
“Don’t touch her,” Enrique lashed out.His low, lethal tone should’ve sliced Zayas’s skull in half.
