Page 36 of Never Again
They’d figure it out, because one thing he knew for sure—a future without Carmen was no future at all. The past three years had taught him that.
As the woman walked away, Carmen let out a short breath and scanned the room. “I haven’t seen my father yet but knowing him, he’s waiting to make an entrance.” She lifted two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter’s tray and handed one to him.
“That’s your second glass of the night,” Carlos remarked.
“I know. I’m nervous.” She took a sip.
He wished he could ease her mind with soothing words, but her worry came from the fallout years ago, when her father threatened to disown her if she didn’t break up with him.
“Nothing to be nervous about. We—”
Carmen stiffened, eyes settled on a point beyond his shoulder. He didn’t have to ask what she saw to know her father had made an appearance.
Carlos twisted around and saw Alfred and Graciela Reeves walking toward them. Carmen’s uncanny resemblance to her mother still blew him away. The woman had basically given birth to her twin. They were both petite, had generous lips, black hair, and were covered in lovely dark brown skin.
Graciela styled her thick mane in an updo, and she wore a jade-green dress that glittered under the lights. Her eyes widened at the sight of him, but as she approached, a smile split her lips.
“Hello, Carlos. It’s been a long time. How are you?” Graciela asked.
“I’m doing well, Mrs. Reeves. And you?”
“Very good. I cannot complain.”
“Glad to hear it. Mr. Reeves,” Carlos said with a curt nod.
“Carlos, I’m surprised to see you here.” Alfred didn’t bother with a fake smile or appear friendly in the least.
“Daddy, be nice,” Carmen said in a low voice.
“I think a bit of warning would have been appropriate,” Alfred said.
“We thought this was better.”
“Weor him?” Alfred said, anger simmering in his eyes.
“Alfred, please.” Graciela touched his arm.
Alfred gave a humorless laugh and shoved his hands in the pockets of his tuxedo pants. “You’re right, my love. I should behave myself. After all, this is a very nice event, and I wouldn’t want to cause any problems. We’re going to mingle a little more. You two have a good night.” Alfred walked away, and after giving them an apologetic smile, Graciela followed him.
“That went fast and better than expected,” Carlos said.
Carmen’s eyes followed her parents’ movement around the room “He’s not done.”
Carlos’s gut clenched at the ominous tone of her voice. Because he knew she was right.
When Carlos exitedthe bathroom and re-entered the ballroom, he went in search of Carmen. He strolled the perimeter, eyes scanning for a glimpse of her. The room had filled with more people, and she was so tiny, he didn’t see her right away. Finally, he caught sight of her ivory dress as she spoke to a young man near the center of the room.
He took two steps and stopped abruptly when Alfred stepped directly in his path, facing him down with a stony stare.
“Mighty bold of you to come here tonight, considering…”
“That was a long time ago.”
“I still want you out of my daughter’s life.”
Carlos’s nostrils flared and his spine stiffened as he quickly surveyed the room to see if anyone paid attention to them. “I can’t do that. Accept that fate has brought us back together because we belong together.”
“Fate?” Alfred snorted. “You sound ridiculous.”
