“Then why even keep him alive, Daddy?”
Penelope stomps her feet, a lone tear sliding down her cheek.
What could only be described as a roar escapes Santos’ lips. Shocked, I drop my hand and watch as he strides back to Penny and grabs her by the arm.
“He betrayed me. He was supposed to protect you and watch over Ria when you left to run our Europe production. Instead, he got greedy.”
He waves his hand around again lazily, like he’s annoyed he even has to explain this.
“I kept him alive, hoping he would serve as bait for the agent.”
He smirks, flicking a glance at Noah. “He hates him almost as much as I do.”
Then his pointed gaze returns to Penny as he releases her from his grasp. He wipes his hand down his trousers and Penny starts to wail again.
“Daddy!”
Santos growls, gripping Penny’s chin. “I am notyour father.”
“Vincent, please.” Patty gets in between them and holds on to our father’s arm.
“You’re the only father she’s ever known. She didn’t know she wasn’t yours. Please stop treating her like this just because you have a backup.”
Aunt Patty looks over her shoulder at me, her eyes welling with unshed tears.
I stand there, mute, as she glares at me with such animosity I take a physical step back. In all the years I have known her, I have never been on the receiving end of this much vitriol.
“DO NOT CALL MY DAUGHTER A BACKUP!” Santos snarls, his voice echoing as contempt fills his entire body and he starts literally shaking from its gravity.
Then he turns to me, tension making his shoulders coil. He makes up his mind as he stalks over to me, looming over me with his presence and stature. He reaches out, as if to grip my shoulder. Then suddenly, he stills when we hear Noah growl in warning behind me.
My father smirks, his eyes still on me. “Calm down, boy. I wouldn’t hurt my own daughter.”
I shoot my husband a pleading look.
Please. Stay right there. Don’t do anything.
Noah refuses to look at me, blatantly glaring at Santos. His stance is defensive, knees bent like he’s poised to jump my father should he even attempt to touch me.
“Noah.”
My husband shuts his eyes for a second, reeling himself back in. He sucks in a deep breath before he opens his eyes to meet mine.
His gaze is unsure, jaw still locked tight.
Has my father had control over every person in my life?
I feel the heat of a tear slide down my cheek, scalding my skin in its wake. The pain burns deep inside the cavities of my chest.
There is no way we’re leaving here together; I know it. I can feel it.
Noah must see the resolution in my eyes.
He takes a step towards me and I take a step back, shaking my head.
His eyes do a worried dance between mine.
I smile at him, letting him know I got this.