“Ah, so I see by the spark in your eyes, that you do remember me,” he said with a smirk.
“Yes. You were in Mr. Jamison’s office.”
“How very good of you to remember. I was trying to change his mind about telling you what Henry wanted you to do.” He walked closer and sat beside her on the chair. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Robert Faro. I’m your stepbrother, although I’m not pleased with the idea at all.”
Seldom did she loathe someone after first meeting them, but this Mr. Faro... Robert... was someone her heart told her not to trust.
Chapter Eighteen
Katrina continued tostare at Robert as she swallowed the mouthful of food she’d been eating. Suddenly, the meal had lost its appeal. Either that or it was the bitterness coating her mouth. He was as rude now as when he had first thrown her that glare back in Mr. Jamison’s office.
“Then the feeling is mutual.” She arched an eyebrow. “I knew at first glance in Macapá, that you were not someone who was worth my time.”
Surprise washed over his face and his eyes widened. Within seconds a chuckle shook his chest. “I wasn’t told you had such a viper’s tongue.”
“How unfortunate for you, then. I’m the kind of woman who says what’s on my mind.”
“Actually, that’s a good thing. Then maybe our conversation will go smoothly, and I won’t have to do much explaining.” He stood and walked back to the door to the dining room, closing it.
She wasn’t certain she wanted their conversation to be private. Something just didn’t sit right with her as she studied him. Unease rolled through her as the seconds ticked by.
“You see,” he continued, strolling back toward the table, “I’m having a difficult time trying to share something I feel is solely mine.Iam the one who was raised working beside a stepfather from sun up to sun down.Iwas the one who labored by his side, learning all I could about rubber trees and how to sell them to get the best price.”
He stopped beside her and slammed his hands on the table. She didn’t jump. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. Although he frightened her, she would not let him see. Instead, she glared into his evil eyes.
He didn’t move from his position. “Then out of nowhere, Henry claimed he was going to give this plantation to the daughter he never met.” Robert shook his head. “I’m afraid that isn’t going to happen while I’m alive.”
Laying on the dramatics, she gasped and placed her hand to her throat. “Oh, no! Are you ill and dying, too? How very awful for you, especially since we both know you won’t be going to Heaven.”
Robert rolled his eyes and moved away from her, walking to the other side of the table as he puffed on his cheroot. Men often pranced back and forth to show her how large they were, hoping to make her feel inferior. Obviously, Robert was no different. She would not cower to him. If she could stay strong in front of drunkards, she could certainly handle Robert.
“You clearly have no idea what you’re up against.” He scowled.
“And what exactly would that be?”
“Did you ever wonder why things were happening in the jungle that weren’t supposed to happen?”
