On a regular basis, she ran his errands and had planned this entire night without his input. Frowning, Antonio ran his fingers through his hair, trying to remember the last time he’d done something just for her. He’d been so consumed with work, he’d slacked off.
When was the last time he’d bought her flowers? When was the last time he had taken the time to plan a night out for the two of them?
He couldn’t remember.
Bothered by this insight, he gulped down the juice, resolving that next week he’d start the process of hiring new help. It was long overdue. He’d carve out time Monday morning to discuss it with Lucinda and get the ball rolling. He picked up the phone to add it to his schedule and saw three missed calls from Valentina.
Since she seldom called him, three calls in one afternoon was an anomaly. He quickly dialed her number at the suite, and when he didn’t reach her, he called her cell phone.
“Val, I saw you’d called. What’s—”
“Antonio, something’s wrong with Emilio.” The words rushed out, her voice thick with tears. “I didn’t know what to do . . . I-I’m on my way to the hospital.”
His shoulders tensed. “What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know!”
“Calm down, Val. Where are you right now?”
“I’m in the elevator on my way to the lobby. I know you just got back into town, but can you come? I’m scared.”
“Okay, stay put. I’m on my way, okay? Don’t panic.”
“How can I not panic? I’m cooped up in that room all day, every day and night, and now my baby’s sick, and I actually second-guessed whether or not I should take him to see a doctor—for hours I let him be sick before I made a decision to leave—all because I didn’t want anyone to see me. What kind of mother am I? I can’t do this anymore!”
“Valentina, I need you to calm down. This will all be over soon, and you’ll get what you want, but for right now, I need you to take a deep breath and bring it down a notch. I’ll be right there. Don’t move, okay?”
The silence on the other end had him worried she wouldn’t listen, but then she said softly, “Hurry, Antonio.”
“I’m leaving right now.”
He rushed to the second floor, taking the steps two at a time. He found Cassidy in the second-floor hallway, standing in front of the linen closet, dressed in a robe with a shower cap on her head.
“Did you get something to eat?” she asked, heading back into the bedroom with towels in her arms.
“Cass . . .” Regret filled him. She was really looking forward to tonight, and he was about to spoil it. He hated the situation he’d been forced into—having to choose between his wife and his family. “I’ve gotta run. I’m sorry.”
“What do you mean you have to run? Now? What could you possibly have to do tonight?” Confusion filled her eyes.
“It’s an emergency.” He dressed as he talked, pulling on the pants she’d helped him out of moments ago.
“A PR emergency?”
The sarcasm in her voice made him look up from zipping his pants. “Yes. That and a little bit more.”
She stared at him with accusation in her eyes.
“I’ll explain when I get back, okay? There’s a lot to explain, and I’m in a hurry, so—”
“Oh, well, you can go then, because I don’t want to keep you.” Her lips thinned, a clear signal of anger.
He shoved his feet into his shoes. “Don’t be like this.”
Instead of an answer, Cassidy turned on her heel and marched into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Antonio followed and turned the knob. Locked.
“Babe . . .”
Silence.
Why was this happening to him? How did he get caught up in this mess?
Out of frustration, he punched the door. “Dammit, Cass, you know I hate it when you do this.” He pounded on the door, rattling it in the frame. “Open the door.”
Silence.
“Open the door. Now.”
On the other side, Cassidy leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her waist. Emergency. Yeah, right.
When he pounded again, the loud rapping almost made her jump out of her skin.
Finally, he spoke in a more soothing voice in an effort to coax her out. “Cass, babe, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible, okay? The night isn’t ruined. I just have to do this really quick, and when I get back, I’ll explain everything.”
She refused to respond, tears filling her eyes. He thought he’d fooled her, but he hadn’t. She knew he didn’t want to spend time with her. His choices made it obvious where his priorities lay.
“So that’s it, you’re going to give me the silent treatment?”
When she didn’t answer, he hit the door hard, and then there was silence.
****
Antonio sat in the waiting room of the hospital hunched over with his elbows on his knees. He should have told Cassidy sooner. Tonight, he’d explain everything. He knew her hang-ups about men and could only imagine what she was thinking.
Her doubts posed a serious problem in their relationship. She was the most important person in his life, so why couldn’t she see that?
Because lately you haven’t been treating her like she’s the most important person in your life.
Again, guilt filled him, and he tapped his feet, anxious to get out of there and back home so he could repair what was left of the night.
From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Valentina, Emilio, and the doctor coming down the hall. The two women walked side by side, and Valentina, much calmer now, nodded her head in understanding as she listened to the doctor’s words. Even though it caused him problems at home, he was glad he’d come to give her his support because she’d been a wreck when he arrived at the hotel.
“He’s going to be fine,” the doctor said with a benign smile. “First-time parents often panic when their little ones get a fever, but I’ve thoroughly examined him. There’s no rash, and he doesn’t have any difficulty breathing. I see no cause for concern. Keep in mind a fever is a good thing, because it means his body’s fighting an infection.”
“She said I should make sure he stays hydrated,” Valentina said to Antonio.
With a nod, the doctor confirmed the comment. “Yes, plenty of formula or breast milk if you’re still breast-feeding. As I explained, his body’s fighting a mild infection. Keep an eye on him. If you notice any change in his behavior, such as he won’t go back to sleep or he won’t eat, call me. But based on my exam, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you. We appreciate it.”
When the doctor walked away, Antonio cupped Valentina’s shoulder. “Better?”
“Yes.” She lifted grateful eyes to his. “Thank you. I was so worried.”
“I understand. One day, when Cassidy and I have children, I’m sure I’ll behave the same way.”
Turning toward the door, Antonio froze, cursing under his breath because he saw his brother Ernesto across the lobby with a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. He hadn’t approached them, for which Antonio was grateful.
“Stay here,” he instructed Valentina. He marched over to his brother, whose gaze remained on Valentina and Emilio. He didn’t even look at Antonio when he approached. “What are you doing here? Get out of here before someone recognizes you.”
Ernesto finally looked at him. “Did you think after you called me I wouldn’t come?”
“I didn’t call so that you’d come out here. I thought you should know. Had I known you’d come—”
“How could I not, Antonio? That’s my son. If he’s ill—”
“You have a game tomorrow, Ernesto. You should be at home, getting your mind right for that. If it were serious, don’t you think I’d tell you?”
Ernesto gave an impatient snort. “I want to see him.”
“No.”
Ernesto stepped closer, getting in Antonio’s face, eye to eye with him. “Are you going to st
op me?”
Antonio didn’t back down. “No, I’m not, but I’m going to remind you of how far you’ve come, and how close you are to messing up everything we’ve worked so hard for over the past few months. You want to see Val and your son? Fine. I won’t stop you. But think about what you’re doing. Two more days, Ernesto, and it’ll all be over. Think about the money.”
“I don’t give a damn about the money, Tony! I can make more.”
Antonio clasped his brother’s shoulders in a tight grip. “Think about it this way—that money is your son’s future, and the future for any more kids you’ll have. It’s the future for you and Val. If you draw attention to yourself now, you’ll give your wife leverage. We’ve been through this, and as I’ve told you before, she may have someone following you. Like that guy.” He inclined his head toward a man who’d walked in and stopped at the reception desk. “It could be anyone, and all they’d need is a picture of you and Val together with your son, and it’s all over because it’ll be easy enough to figure out. She could drag out the divorce even longer, and it won’t be only your name and face plastered all over the papers and the Internet. Val’s and Emilio’s will be, too. Is that what you want?”
Ernesto’s eyes held his, and Antonio wondered for a moment if he’d been able to get through to him. Then, Ernesto’s shoulders sagged as he mulled the words. He swallowed, a pained expression coming over his face. “No.”
He looked across the room, and the longing in his eyes tore at Antonio. He knew how much his brother loved Val and his son, but he was allowing emotion to override common sense right now, and they couldn’t afford it. Not when he was so close. Monday morning, after the divorce papers were signed, he’d be a free man. Until then, he had to remember what was at stake.
Antonio pulled out his wallet and removed the key card for the suite at the Four Seasons. “This is against my better judgment.” He handed his brother the card. “You can see them tonight. Go, and we’ll follow behind you. Pay attention to your surroundings, and make sure no one sees you going into the room. Do not spend the night. The last thing we want is for someone to snap a photo of you coming out of the hotel—or even worse, that room—in the morning. If your wife finds out, there’s no telling what she’ll do. Val’s been there for a long time, and hotel staff will notice if you come out of there. Be careful.”
Ernesto nodded. He looked over Antonio’s shoulder again, his eyes drawn to the woman who’d held his heart for years. The woman he should’ve married.
Antonio clasped his brother’s face to drag his attention back to him. “Do you trust me?”
Ernesto swallowed. “Yes. You haven’t led me wrong so far.”
“In a couple of days, you can be with your son and the woman you love. You can have your family, but you’ll jeopardize it if you don’t get out of here now.”
Ernesto swallowed again, nodding his agreement. “All right.”
“We’re right behind you.”
Antonio watched his brother walk away and then turned around to face Valentina. Walking back to her, he saw the tears in her eyes.
“It’s going to be okay.”
She nodded. “I know.” One tear slid down her cheek, and she swiped it away. Emilio was cradled against her chest with one arm. “It’s been so long . . . very little contact, and the only time I can see him is on TV. Just now, I . . . I didn’t expect to see him, and it took me by surprise.”
“It’ll be over soon. I gave him my key to the suite. He’s going to spend time with you tonight.”
Right away, her spirits lifted, brightening her eyes. “Really? Tonight?”
“Yes.” Antonio smiled. It was unfortunate his brother hadn’t married her instead. Their love for each other was so obvious. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
He placed a hand to the small of her back and escorted her across the room. They didn’t make it out, though, because a small tornado blew in, dressed in high heels, skinny jeans, and a sleeveless tunic.
Cassidy.
Chapter Nine
The worst thing that could happen had happened. Cassidy couldn’t believe her eyes. Antonio stood only feet away with his arm around a woman who held a child that looked suspiciously like him. She’d been right all along. He had been up to something, and it was worse than she ever imagined.
Like déjà vu, she was her mother reincarnated—finding out about her husband’s affair and his love child.
“What are you doing here, and who is she?” she demanded, stabbing her finger in the direction of the woman.
Antonio came to her with his hands outstretched. “Don’t make a scene.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” Cassidy said louder, starting to shake. “Whose baby is that? Whose baby is that?”
The people in the lobby looked up from their magazines, and the staff behind the desk eyed them with guarded curiosity.
“He’s not mine,” Antonio said through pinched lips. “The woman is a friend. Her name is Val. I was helping her out.”
He hated scenes, but too bad. They were about to be front-page news. Disbelief burned through her, and Cassidy marched around him to confront the other woman. “Are you sleeping with my husband?”
“No, I . . .” The woman looked wildly at Antonio, clutching the baby and turning sideways in a protective stance to cover him.
Antonio took Cassidy by the arm and pulled her around to face him. He looked down into her eyes and spoke very slowly. “I need you to listen to me. Let’s go outside so I can explain everything away from all these people.”
Turning her attention to the woman again, Cassidy demanded, “Who are you?”
“Talk to me,” Antonio insisted, tightening his fingers around her upper arm.
She yanked and twisted out of his grip, anger flooding her blood. “Did you know he was married?”
She heard Antonio curse under his breath right before he grabbed her around the waist and started propelling her toward the door. She tried to twist away again, but he was too strong, steamrolling her across the sleek lobby floor to the automatic doors.
“Take these and go to the car,” he said. The woman had followed them, and he handed her the keys.
At that moment, Cassidy lost it and slapped him hard. She followed up with another, and another, her hands moving in rapid succession as she pummeled his face. Each blow she landed stung her palms, but she ignored the pain because it satisfied her to know she was hurting him, too.
Antonio grabbed her wrists. “I swear, one of these days,” he ground out.
“Let me go!”
He half lifted, half dragged her the rest of the way out the door to the parking lot.
“I swear, if you don’t let me go—”
“Are you going to stop hitting me?”
Her answer was an elbow to the ribs, which resulted in him temporarily loosening his hold. Taking advantage of the situation, Cassidy slapped him across the face again.
He wrestled her onto the hood of the nearest vehicle and slid between her legs, using his hands to hold down her wrists. “Look at me, Cass,” he said between tight lips, but still annoyingly calm. How could he still be so calm after she’d hit him so many times in an attempt to inflict bodily harm? “You didn’t see what you think you did.”
“I didn’t see you with your secret girlfriend and a baby on the night we’re supposed to go out for a romantic evening? I’m not stupid, and I won’t let you make a fool out of me.” She struggled, but he easily held her down.
Antonio took two deep breaths and proceeded to speak slowly, in the same voice people used to calm skittish horses. “I’m not making a fool out of you. She’s not my girlfriend. She’s a friend, and her name is Valentina Rodriguez. The little boy’s name is Emilio. He’s my brother’s son.”
“You’re making that up.”
“I’m not making it up. No one was supposed to know. We wanted to keep it out of the media.”
She wanted to believe him, but it didn’t make sense.
Why hadn’t he mentioned it before? Why hadn’t Lorena, her best friend? “I don’t believe you.”
“If that’s my son, why would I lie now that I’m caught?”
“For the same reason you’ve been lying all along.”
As if in search of divine intervention, Antonio rolled his eyes heavenward and shook his head.
“Ma’am, do you need some help?”
A security guard behind Antonio had his hand on his holster, and a frown of concern on his face. He looked ready to take deadly force if necessary.
Antonio immediately stepped back and lifted his hands to show he meant no harm. For obvious reasons, a big, muscular man holding down a petite woman on top of a car did not look good. “This is my wife. We’re having a conversation.”
“Which is over.”
Startled, Antonio swung his gaze back to her. “We’re not done talking. I’m trying to explain what you saw.”
“I’ve heard your explanation, and I don’t believe you. Now I want you to leave me alone.”
“Cass, don’t do this.”
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the young lady alone.”
“Cass—”
“Thank you, sir.” Trembling, Cassidy slid from the top of the vehicle. Her head was pounding, and a large knot of pain filled her stomach. “Save your phony stories for someone who doesn’t know better. You forgot I’ve seen this before. I knew you were up to something. I knew it. My gut’s never been wrong.”
“Cassidy!”
She rushed away from him, her heart filled with so much pain it felt ready to burst.
Out of sight at her vehicle, a sudden light-headedness overtook her. Her arms reached out for balance but caught the nothingness of air. She fell to her knees beside the passenger door, pain shooting up her thighs when she hit the pavement. She took deep, labored breaths.
Chest burning, she grappled to pull oxygen into her lungs. This had happened before and she knew the steps to take. The first thing to do was force down the anxiety. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on controlling her reaction and took slow breaths.
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