He shifts his leg, and I collapse into the seat before he makes good on the threat.
His father had no reservations about raising his hand to a woman.Children learn what they live.I highly doubt Antonio Huntsman is above manhandling me.
“I don’t know what more you want from me.”
I sound beaten, and in many ways, I am.
“You’re in a better position to work it out with the buyer,” I explain, although he knows it. “You have more influence, more lawyers, more money. I have nothing but the property—that I’ve already agreed, in writing, to sell.”
“The buyer? Iberian Trust?” He peers down at me with an expression that seems less hostile now.
I nod.
“That trust belongs to the Huntsman portfolio.”
At first I don’t understand what he’s talking about. I’m exhausted. I haven’t slept well in weeks, and I didn’t sleep a wink on my overnight flight. My brain churns slowly as it tries to make sense of it. Then it dawns on me. It was here, in front of me, all along.
I should have known.Moniz should have known.
The question I have for him is within easy grasp. It’s rightthere, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out. It’s as though my tongue has been immobilized, swaddled in layers of dusty cotton.
It takes considerable effort, but eventually I manage to eke out the words without choking. “You’re the buyer?”
Antonio shakes his head. “I’m not a buyer. The paperwork is a sham. Quinta Rosa do Vale already belongs to me.” He reaches down and takes a lock of my hair between his fingers. “As do you.”
I jerk away from his touch, but his grip tightens until my scalp screams. At first the pain is welcome, cutting through a growing numbness. But soon the throb becomes too much, and I’m forced to sit still while he fingers my hair.Still, but not quiet.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I snarl, the hatred eclipsing the fear in my heart.
“Both you and the vineyards have been mine since the moment your father took his last breath. And Daniela, you will get on your knees for me. Make no mistake about it.”
4
Daniela
The bastard isn’t talking about kneeling in prayer.What a monster.
You expected something different from the son of o diabo?
No. Not really. But the foolish girl inside remembers Antonio differently. At least she wants to remember him differently.
If you listen to her, she’ll lead you to danger.It’s true. She will.
“I want to speak to Pedro Moniz.”
Antonio releases his grip on my hair and sits back, his long fingers drumming on the desk. “Moniz is my attorney. It’s unlikely he’ll talk to you about my business matters. Not if he wants to live long enough to play with his pretty young wife tonight.”
Oh my God.Moniz was in on the whole thing. It was an ambush. I walked right into the trap without even a whiff of their scheme.
How could my father’s closest friend have sold me out like this?I’ve known him all my life. He was at my birthday parties and at the church for my First Communion. He would come on Christmas and eat at our table and share our wine. He held my hand while my father passed.
Papaitrusted him. He told me to trust Moniz too.“Pedro knows everything about my business matters. Don’t hesitate to go to him for advice. He’ll guide you wisely, Daniela.”
The traitorous bastard guided me, all right. Straight into the wolf’s lair.
I should have known better.
Pedro Moniz belongs to my father’s world—Antonio’s world. The old boys’ club that controlseverythingin Porto. I’m a woman. Ayoungwoman.And clearly naive.Even if Antonio wasn’t a threat, Moniz would never betray the silent oath that binds powerful men—not even for me.