Page 37 of Never Again
He glared into the eyes of the man who at one time had made him feel inadequate, less than. “Your jabs won’t hurt me tonight. I’ve heard all your remarks, and they no longer make a difference.”
“I want you to stay away from her because you’re not the right man for her.” Alfred smiled and waved at someone nearby. When he returned his attention to Carlos, his face shifted back into hard, unyielding lines. “She can do better than some wannabe artist. Step aside so a man who’s worthy of her attention, someone who is an equal, can join her in the life she deserves.”
The words bruised his ego, but Carlos refused to back down. “We’ve had this talk before, remember?”
“And yet here you are.”
“Because I love her. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” How could he be so thoroughly heartless when he showered love on his wife and children? His behavior was hard to comprehend.
“Love? Don’t make me laugh.” Alfred smirked and coolly sipped from his glass of white wine. He was so goddamn condescending.
“Why is that so hard for you to believe?”
“Because men like you take advantage of women like my daughter. I’ve seen it before. She’s trusting and an easy target, and since you have nothing to offer, I’m at a loss as to why she insists on having anything to do with you.”
The harsh words smashed a hole in his confidence and were meant to cause doubt, but Carlos fought the urge to succumb to the same insecurities that forced him away from Carmen in the past.
“Don’t you get tired of being an asshole?” he asked.
Alfred lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “Finally pushing back against me? What brought that on?”
“Maturity. Growth.”
‘“Honesty, too? Does she know the kind of man you are?”
“You can’t intimidate me like you did before.”
“I’d hardly call what I did intimidation.” Alfred smirked and drained the last of the wine from his glass.
“I’m not going anywhere. Just accept it and everyone will be happy. I’m in Carmen’s life for good.”
“You sure about that?” Alfred sent a warning look with direct eye contact.
Carlos straightened his spine, determined not to let this man rattle him. “Take your best shot, Alfred. I’m not going to disappear again. I know what it’s like to live without her, and I’m not going back to a life without her in it.”
Alfred handed the empty glass to a passing server. With an insolent glance at Carlos, he said, “When you left, you promised you wouldn’t move back here.”
“I didn’t. I live in Atlanta.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Alfred’s face. “Atlanta? That explains a lot.” His mouth pressed together in a grim line.
Shit.
“Did you tell her what you did?” Alfred asked.
Carlos’s heart stopped for a split second and let silence be his answer.
“So I take that as a no,” Alfred said, with a shake of his head.
“I understand that you don’t like me, but have you ever considered Carmen’s feelings in this vendetta against me?”
“I’m protecting her—something any decent father would do for his child. My daughter is emotional and impulsive. She can also be rebellious, doing things to get back at me. I simply need to talk some sense into her, but don’t worry, Carlos. I won’t say a word about your past indiscretion—yet. I’ll give you time to think about the consequences and make the right decision.”
Alfred walked away, and some time passed before Carlos’s muscles relaxed, and only because he saw Carmen approaching.
“Hey. I saw my father talking to you. Is everything okay?” Worried eyes searched his face.
“I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
