Marnie’s eyes went wide as she looked between them. “You’re married?”
“Isn’t it wonderful news?” Lola said.
His assistant looked pale. A year older than Rodrigo, Marnie McAdam had been a college graduate traveling in Madrid when he’d hired her as his first employee at his new company, Cabrera Media Group, after he’d taken over his father’s small studio. Over the last fifteen years, Rodrigo had come to depend on Marnie for her dedication and loyalty. Before Lola had arrived, she’d been his top assistant.
No wonder the two women hadn’t liked each other. Marnie was the one who’d told Rodrigo about Lola’s past, telling him all the awful facts as she’d put the photographs in his hands.
And Lola knew it. She gave the older woman a hard smile.
He had the sudden alarming image of the two women coming to blows. He was fairly sure Lola, with her hard-edged fearlessness, would emerge the victor. He had no desire to see Marnie in the hospital, so he stepped abruptly between them.
“That’ll be all for today, Marnie. You can head home.”
“Whose baby?” She breathed unsteadily, looking at Jett in his arms.
“Mine,” he said.
“You didn’t know?” said Lola sweetly. “I thought you might have arranged things for us in New York.”
“No,” Rodrigo said. “She didn’t.” He looked at Marnie. “We might need some additional baby furniture, though. I’ll contact you later.”
“Of course, Mr. Cabrera.” Turning to Lola, she said, “Congratulations.”
Lola glared at her. “You heard what he said. Get going.”
Biting her lip, Marnie looked at Rodrigo.
“Thank you, Marnie,” he said, more kindly.
With a nod, she turned and hurried to her car. As the older woman drove out of the gate, Rodrigo turned on Lola coldly. “Was that really necessary?”
His wife didn’t answer. Taking the yawning baby from his arms, she strode ahead of him into the beach house, proud and scornful as a queen.
Irritated, he followed her into the house’s enormous great room, with its wall of windows overlooking the beach and bright blue ocean.
“You can’t hate Marnie for telling me the truth about your past.”
“The truth?” Lola looked at him incredulously. “Is that what you think?”
“Are you saying you didn’t pose for those pictures? You didn’t let that man—” But he couldn’t go on. Just remembering the rest of Marnie’s report still made his blood boil with unwilling jealousy and rage.
Lola’s lovely face was pale as she turned away. “I need to put Jett to bed.”
“Wait. I’m talking to you—”
“Not now.” Behind them, two bodyguards were bringing in suitcases from the SUV. Lola pointed at her suitcases. “Can you please take those to the baby’s room?”
“Baby’s room?” Tobias Watson asked, frowning.
Glancing at Rodrigo, she said coolly, “I assume there is one.”
“I told Mrs. Lee to arrange the best guest room,” he said grudgingly.
As the bodyguard nodded and started down the hall, Lola said without looking at Rodrigo, “I’ll be sleeping in there, too.”
Without another word, she collected the diaper bag and swept down the hallway, leaving Rodrigo alone in the great room with the amazing view of the Pacific.
He ground his teeth.