“Just checking in on your schedule.” Computer keys clicked in the background. Ginger was undoubtedly working while talking, the phone tucked to her ear, holding back her signature grey-blond bob that always stayed as in control as she did. His mom took multitasking to a whole new level: ambassador, wife, mom to four children and three stepchildren and known as a superwoman to boot. “I’m finishing up a summit in Washington. I’ll be back in South America before you arrive in Peru for your next project. I’m looking forward to living near my youngest son, even if it’s for a short time.”
“Me, too.” The Landises all spent so much time on the road with their careers, family visits were valued all the more. And while he had his ambassador mother’s ear. “Hey, do you have any inside-track info on the deposed king of San Rinaldo?”
She hesitated for a beat before answering. “Why would you ask that?”
“Rumor has it, he’s in Argentina.” And his mom just happened to be ambassador to a small neighboring country.
“That’s the word around town.”
He knew his mother would never break security rules, but if she could just point him in the right direction…. “Officially or unofficially?”
“Honestly, I don’t know the answer either way,” Ginger said, her voice even tighter. He thought of it as her office voice. “Jonah, I can say that there is a compound in Argentina built like a fortress. There’s a lot of activity going on inside and very little coming out. Either he’s living there, or he’s done a good job of creating a red herring.”
“Medina has the money to accomplish that.”
She laughed lightly. “That, I most definitely can confirm. The old king built a fortune beyond the royal inheritance. The estate continues to multiply itself. We know he has three sons—Carlos, Duarte and Antonio.”
And he had a daughter, a daughter no one knew about. Eloisa, so unforgettable and deserving of so much better than she’d gotten from the people who were supposed to care about her.
And what about how he had treated her? Damn it all, Eloisa deserved to have someone a hundred percent on her side. “Thanks, Mom. I would appreciate it if you could ask around—quietly, please—about the Medinas.”
“Certainly, I’ll see what I can find.” Curiosity slipped ever so subtly into her voice. “Would you like to tell me why?”
Eloisa’s secrets weren’t his to share. But the time would certainly come when his family would have to learn he’d married her. The fact that he’d hidden it for the past year was going to piss them off enough. “Is that a requisite to your help?”
“Of course not,” she said, backing off smoothly. “I’ll let you know if I discover anything soon. Otherwise, I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
“Looking forward to it. And hey, Mom? Love you.”
“I love you, too, Jonah,” she said softly before disconnecting.
Perhaps talking to his mom had heightened his conscience or maybe he’d just woken up. But regardless, he needed to shower Eloisa with romance as well as sensual enticement. He couldn’t be sure how this was going to turn out. But he wasn’t walking away or letting her walk away until he was damn sure everything was out in the open and resolved.
Jonah rang the doorbell and waited…and waited. No answer. Eloisa had told him she would be home around this time, but wasn’t answering her phone or cell. His instincts burned. Something was off.
She’d given him a key and he intended to use it.
He opened the front door and pushed inside fast. “Eloisa? Are you home?”
His heart slugged his rib cage harder with each step as he searched her empty town house. Then he thought about her patio. The curtains were closed over the French doors. She must be outside relaxing.
He opened the doors to the patio and sure enough the chair was full. But the person most definitely wasn’t Eloisa, or even a female.
Jonah scrubbed a hand over his jaw to mask his surprise and figure out what to do about this intruder who looked completely at home. As if he belonged in that chair, at Eloisa’s place.
Jealousy cranked into high gear as he summed up his opponent.
A large male sat in the Adirondack chair—dark haired, about six foot three inches. The guy appeared toned, but Jonah had a few pounds on him. He just needed to decide what move to make next.
At first the guy’s eyes seemed closed, but when Jonah studied him further, he could see the man watching ever so carefully through narrow slits.
This guy was ready to pounce.
Jonah blocked the exit. “What the hell are you doing on Eloisa’s patio?”
His eyes opened slowly, a haughty smile not far behind. “I’ve come to visit my sister.”
Eight
Well, that took care of the jealousy.
Jonah stared at the guy in front of him claiming to be Eloisa’s brother. How could he trust this dude was on the up and up? But then perhaps he was someone who’d just ended up on the wrong patio. After all, the stranger had simply said he was visiting his sister, no name given.
“Who did you say you’re looking for?” Jonah asked.
The man smoothed the front of his dark suit jacket—no tie on his white shirt open at the collar. “Where is Eloisa? My sister. Our family lawyer informed us she has concerns. I came right away.”
First, he needed to determine if this man could be trusted. Sure, he looked like he could be Eloisa’s brother, same dark hair and brown eyes. The aristocratic air was there, too, but his skin was more olive toned.
Because both of his parents were from the Spanish region?
Still, he needed to go on the assumption that this guy knew nothing about Eloisa, that he could be some reporter searching for information…or worse.
Jonah shut the door to the town house and stepped closer to the looming guy in a dark suit. “And your name is?”
He thrust out his hand, lean and ringless, no jewelry other than a pricey watch peeking from his cuff. “I am Duarte. Hello, Jonah Landis.”
Jonah jolted. How did the man know him? Sure his family name was easily recognized, but it wasn’t like his face was familiar to the average Joe—or in this case, Duarte. “How did you get in here?”
“I jumped the fence.”
This guy in a suit hopped fences? Odd, and not the sort of behavior he expected from a prince.
Still the fence apparently posed a security problem he would be addressing shortly. “Do you make a habit of that? Jumping fences? Breaking and entering?”
Duarte—or whoever the hell he was—arched a single brow slowly. “I would have come through the door but she is not here.”
“Eloisa doesn’t have any brothers. Just a sister named Audrey.”
Duarte simply smiled. “Eloisa can clear this up soon enough. And as you noticed, I already know who you are, and I know how you are connected to my sister.” He frowned slightly. “I guess that makes us brothers.”
Jonah braced his feet, shocked that Eloisa would have revealed their marriage to anyone, but she said she didn’t talk to her family, only communicated through a lawyer. How had this guy found out? And was he even who he claimed to be?
This joker wasn’t getting past him. “How about you leave a calling card?”
“Good, good.” He nodded curtly. “I like it that she has you to protect her.”
That threw him off-balance for a second. The last thing he’d expected was acceptance, encouragement even.
Except he knew better than to be swayed by calculated words. “What did you say you’re doing here?”
“I’ve come to see Eloisa for our father. And you’re wise not to trust me. That’s best for her.”
While they may have found a point of agreement, that didn’t mean Jonah intended to back off pushing for whatever he could get out of Duarte. “Where does your father live?”
“Ah, you’re tricky, not ever saying the last name either, never giving anything away. Your questions and answers are as nebulous as my own.” He gestured toward th
e French doors. “Let’s go inside. Less chance of being overheard.”
“I don’t think so. Until I hear from Eloisa that you’re welcome, we can stay right here.”
Duarte glanced around at the small fenced-in patio, vines growing up the wood, a small fountain in the corner with a cement conch shell pouring water into a collection pool.
And only one chair.
Duarte nodded regally. “We will stand here, then, until she returns.”
Jonah leaned on the doorframe with affected nonchalance, every muscle still on high alert as he watched the man for any signs of aggression or deception. “So step out on a limb and spill your guts for me.”
The strange guy threw his head back and laughed. Finally, he shook his head and quieted. “I travel everywhere. But our father? He can no longer travel anywhere because of his health, and he wants to see his children. You don’t have to confirm anything I say. I don’t expect you to.”
“Dude, I’m thinking it’s time to call the cops and arrest you for trespassing.”
“I could give you all sorts of identification, but you know that IDs can be purchased. Instead I will tell you a story about the last visit Eloisa made to see her biological family when she was seven—I was seventeen. We all went on a picnic, then walked down the beach. We collected shells. Then Eloisa rode on our father’s shoulders while he told her a story about a princess squirrel who could travel anywhere she wanted, anytime.”
Damn. This guy could really be…
“Then he sang her songs in Spanish. Does that answer your questions?”
“You’ve definitely captured my interest enough to delay calling the cops.” He might not know everything about Eloisa, but he was certain she would blow a gasket if her family news was splashed all over a police blotter where any newspaper could snatch the scoop.
“I’m not worried.”
“You’re a cocky bastard.”
“Thank you.” He slid a finger along his shirt collar, the first sign that he felt the heat or any tension. “I’m not only here because Eloisa called the lawyer. I am also here because our father is sick.”
“Your dad, the guy who sings lullabies in Spanish? How sick is he?”
“I am not the kind to predict worst-case scenarios. Let’s just say he’s very ill. A visit is in order before the opportunity is lost forever.”
How would Eloisa take hearing Enrique Medina could die…or was already dead and she’d missed seeing him? He’d encouraged her to make contact with the old king if for no other reason that to settle the past, and now the clock was ticking. If this man could help persuade her, all the better. And with Jonah by her side, nobody would stand a chance at hurting her ever again.
In fact, there should be some apologizing and amends for needing such a dire prod to make this offer.
“Even if I might think it’s in her personal best interest to see him, why should Eloisa—or any woman—visit a family you say she hasn’t seen since she was seven? If that’s all true, perhaps they should have tried harder to contact Eloisa more often over the years.” The silence stretched between them, birds chirping, cars roaring and honking in the distance, even the ocean echoed distantly. “What? No disagreement?”
“Why would I argue when you’re absolutely right? That doesn’t mean Eloisa could live with doing the wrong thing now.”
Jonah checked his watch. Where the hell was Eloisa? She should have been home twenty minutes ago. “Your family is exempt from the rules but she’s not? She’s supposed to do the right thing regardless? That’s bull.”
“She is a part of our family.”
“Says you. I’m still not sure what you’re talking about.”
“It’s her choice to live this way rather than claim her birthright.” He tipped his head to the side. “You didn’t know that? She and her mother chose a long time ago not to accept anything from him. He slipped help how he could. Surprise prize winnings, bonuses at work, even a fellowship to travel to Europe.”
Eloisa would spit nails if she found out the whole trip was a setup. But given her prickly ways about money, that would have been the only way to get her to accept anything. “Most women I know wouldn’t like being manipulated that way.”
“Then don’t tell her.”
“Why are you telling me?” That put him in a tough position, forcing him to keep secrets. He hated lies. Always had. His father had hammered that into his head from a young age. His dad had been in the military before he’d gone into politics. He’d prided himself on being a rarity—a guy who shot straight from the hip, no matter what.
He’d always said the measure of a man was how he acted when no one was looking.
“I am hoping you can hold some sway over her to see my father for what may very well be the last time. She needs persuading. She’s a stubborn woman.”
“Wait. Hold on for just a damn minute. You say you haven’t seen her, but you know all about her personality?”
He shrugged. Did this dude ever relay any emotion? “I never said we haven’t kept close watch over her.”
She definitely wouldn’t like that. Even if this guy was on the up and up, another possibility still existed. He might be a stalker. Family could stalk. And dealing with that possibility took precedence. “It’s time for you and me to leave.”
“You and I?”
“I’m not letting you walk away until I am one hundred percent sure who you are. I have connections of my own.”
“Fair enough. Just one question first.” Duarte’s dark eyes narrowed as if zeroing in for the kill. “Who did you think I was when you entered?”
The sound of a key rattling in the front door jarred the silence between them. Damn it all. He should have moved faster. The hinges creaked and Jonah put himself between this man and the path Eloisa would take.
Eloisa filled the open French doors, two grocery bags in her arms and her mouth open wide.
“Duarte?”
Shock nailed her feet to the floor.
Eloisa blinked fast twice, unable to believe her eyes. It couldn’t possibly be one of the Medina brothers…. Did he even go by Medina?
But she’d seen a few pictures over the years and she would never forget the faces of her faraway brothers. That summer she’d visited, Duarte had told her of his dream to take a new last name, maybe his mother’s maiden name, and move out of the compound, into the world. Duarte had been emphatic about making his own way in the world.
She’d understood that, even at seven, when he’d talked about his plans for “getting the hell off this island.”
Island? Until just this moment she’d forgotten that part of talking with him.
From his slick suit, gold watch and some kind of signature cologne, it didn’t seem he’d done too badly for himself. She was glad for him if he’d managed to fulfill those dreams of leading his own life.
Although he had managed to send all her evening plans up into smoke.
Eloisa juggled bags of groceries in her arms as her purse dangled from her elbow. She would have set them on the counter when she’d entered the apartment, but she’d heard two voices on the patio and rushed out there, food and all.
She’d traded a favor at work and clocked out early. She was always the one staying late for others who had surprise dates.
It was fun to be on the other side of that for a change. So much for fun.
Both men stepped forward to take a sack from her arms, the food she’d bought with such grand ideas for her evening. She’d taken great care in making her selections at the market. Deciding had been tougher than she expected because what could you serve a tycoon world traveler?
She’d opted for a simple regional classic that might actually have a chance at being heavy enough for a big guy like Jonah—shrimp and grits, with slaw and biscuits on the side. She’d splurged on a bottle of good wine. Well, what she considered good, which could very well be swill by his standards. Not that it mattered now since they had an extra guest.
Her h
ands shook with nerves and she nearly dropped her purse. How silly to be this uptight about making dinner for a guy.
Dinner for her husband.
She felt the smile on her face before she ever realized she’d reacted. Seeing him made her happy. Wow. What an awesome—and scary—notion.
Especially with this huge distraction between them. Before she could do anything, she needed to find out why her brother had shown up here so unexpectedly.
The space between them might be short—the patio was microscopic, after all—but there might as well have been a mile between them. Hugging this distant man she’d only spoken to once seemed awkward, even if they shared the same DNA.
And now that she thought about, how strange for him to be here. A trickle of unease tickled inside her stomach. “Come into the town house, gentlemen. Let’s get those groceries inside before the shrimp spoils in this heat.”
Eloisa flashed a grateful smile to Jonah. She couldn’t miss the tic in the corner of his eye, but wasn’t sure what put it there.
“Duarte,” she touched her brother’s arm lightly, “welcome. You might as well stay for supper. Unless you’ve already made other plans?”
Once in the kitchenette, Jonah’s somber gaze stopped her midramble. “Your brother said he needs to talk to you.”
“Right, of course. We have a lot to catch up on, I’m sure.” God, this felt so surreal, having her brother here after so many years.
She put away groceries on autopilot. Holding a wrapped and taped bag of shrimp in her hands, she pivoted toward the refrigerator and almost slammed smack into her brother. “Sorry, uhm, not much space.”
“How did you recognize me?” Duarte asked simply, with no preamble.
She looked into dark eyes identical to her own, ones that had also stared back at her from her father’s face during that memorable encounter years ago. “You look just like him.”
“Our father?” Duarte blinked slowly, his eyes more enigmatic than their dad’s. The old king’s eyes had been mostly sad. “You were only seven years old.”
“But Enrique was younger then.” Although in her childish view he’d seem so very ancient. “And my mother kept a picture of him from when they, uh, knew each other. She let me hide it in my sock drawer sometimes. I mixed it in with fan clippings and posters so no one would ever guess. And it’s obvious I’m right.”
The Tycoon Takes a Wife Page 8