Page 142 of LA King

“Yes, just been for a run,” he wheezes. “Think I pushed myself too hard.”

“I can call back later if you like.”

He sucks in a ragged breath. “No, sweetheart. I’m fine. What is it?”

“I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing. We haven’t spoken in a while.” It isn’t a total lie.

“All good here. You?”

“I guess. Alejandro seems … Well, we went for dinner last night and …” My resolve to demand answers from him wavers. He’s never responded well to my curiosity, and it’s so nice to hear his familiar voice. Maybe it would be better to wait until I’m not hungover and can come up with a strategy to get him to tell me what I want to know without upsetting him. “Well, it was kind of enjoyable actually.”

He breathes deeply. That must have been a hell of a run.

“It’s not all bad here,” I add.

“I’m glad you’re happy, sweetheart. Is that all?”

I take a breath. “Why did Alejandro marry me, do you think? I know why I married him, and that makes sense to me, but why did he choose me when he could have had any number of women?”

He doesn’t reply for a moment, but his breathing is still labored. Finally, he speaks. “Because you are Alana Carmichael, and that means something. Don’t let him fool you into thinking otherwise, Alana.” He wheezes again.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Dad?”

“I’m fine. The Montoya name is tainted. He will never make it big in the circles he wants to swim in unless he has our name to open doors for him. He may never admit it, but he needs you. I need you, sweetheart. You’re my lucky charm.”

I’m hit with a rush of affection for him. He isn’t the easiest father, but he has always been there when I needed him. He’s given me a purpose, even if it is to be his lucky charm.

“I miss you, Daddy.”

“Miss you too, sweetheart. But I have to run, okay?”

I promise to call him soon and end the call. Strangely, I feel a bit better. Alejandro needs me, and I like being needed. Maybe that’s how I’ll earn his respect and, if I’m lucky, a little more freedom and independence with it.

Maybe these three years won’t be totally terrible.

Chapter

Nineteen

Alejandro

After landing at LAX, I’m headed back to my hotel for my meeting with the mayor when I bump into Malcolm Grant and his wife in the lobby.

“Alejandro.” Amanda gives me two air kisses on either side of my face, enveloping me in a cloud of cloyingly sweet perfume.

Malcolm shakes my hand from where he stands behind her. He’s an investor in our vineyard, and he and his wife also spend a lot of money in my hotel. He loves the golf and she loves the spa.

“Where have you been keeping that lovely new wife of yours these days?” Amanda flutters her eyelashes at me.

“I should be asking that of you, Amanda. She’s out doing charity work almost every day.” At least according to the daily reports of her comings and goings I get from Jacob.

Amanda blinks, but then a slow smile plays over her lips.

I don’t like this feeling that she knows something I don’t. “What is it?”

She fiddles with her earring and purses her lips while she looks between me and her husband.

“What is it, Amanda?” I snap.