Consent (The Loan Shark Duet 2)

“She caught you, didn’t she?”

“Actually,” I give her a cold smile, “I caught her.”

“Why?” She bangs the glass down on the mantelpiece, drops of alcohol sloshing over the sides. “You could’ve had Helga or any other woman of your social standing.”

“I don’t want any other woman.” My words are measured. “I want her.”

“How old is she?”

“Twenty-three.”

“Is this some kind of midlife crisis? Is this why you have to go for a girl fifteen years younger than you? You have to prove to yourself you still have it?”

“Is that why you’re getting engaged to a younger man?”

“Fuck you, Gabriel. It’s not the same.”

“No, it’s not, because your decisions when it comes to relationships and marriage are not based on love or affection, but on which move will serve your financial and political position best.”

“Love and affection?” She utters a laugh. “Are you telling me you love her?”

“I don’t know about love, not anymore, but whatever I feel is the closest thing I’ve ever felt to being happy.”

“You’re a fool.”

“I was a fool for loving you once.”

“You still do.”

“Maybe––you’ll always be the mother of my child––but I want her more than any woman I’ve ever wanted.”

The color drains from her cheeks. Rage fills her violet-blue eyes, but she maintains a calm voice. “I will not acknowledge that woman or her child.”

“It’s my child. Your disagreeable nature will make things more difficult for all of us, but that’s your choice.”

She pushes out her chin. “I’ll call Carly and give the two of you a moment. Come through to the dining room when you’re ready.”

As her heels click over the marble, I take a long sip from my drink. A moment later, my daughter comes bouncing down the stairs.

“Dad!” She gives me one of those rare hugs. “Dinner in the week? At mom’s house? What’s going on?”

I leave my drink on the table and pull her down next to me on the couch. Through the open door, I spot Sylvia making her way to the kitchen. When our eyes meet, she gives me an accusing look.

I pull my attention back to Carly. “How’s school, princess?”

“Good. You’ve seen my grades.”

“How about living with your mom? Is it working out well?”

“Yes. Is this about asking me to move back to your place?”

“Of course not.” I’m stalling for time, but by God it’s difficult to broach the subject. “I have news.” I put a bright smile on my face. “Very exciting news.”

“Dad,” she sweeps her hair behind her ear, “what is it?”

“I got together with someone.”

“As in dating? That’s great!”

“Actually, it’s a lot more serious than dating. We already took it to the next level.”

“You’re engaged?” She shrieks. “Oh, my God! Who is she?”

“Not engaged, Carly,” I say gently. “I jumped the gun and married her.”

Her smile drops. She stares at me with the disappointment I expected but hoped not to see. “You’re married?”

“Yes.”

“W–when?”

“Yesterday.”

“I–I don’t understand. Why didn’t you say something? Why do it in secret?”

“It was an impulsive decision. It’s not that I didn’t want you there for an important event. It just happened on the spur of the moment.” This is the closest to honesty I can get.

Her mouth pulls down. “Oh, my God, I have a stepmother.”

“I don’t want you to think of her as a stepmom. Sylvia is your mother. She’s my wife, and it’ll mean a lot to me if you can be kind to her.”

Her bottom lip starts to tremble. “Who is she? I mean, do I even know her?”

“Yes, you do.”

A frown pulls her eyebrows together. “Who?”

“It’s Valentina.”

Before the name is out she’s on her feet. “Dad, no! How could you? She’s our maid!”

I get up and place my hands on her shoulders. “Carly, calm down, please, and listen to me. There’s nothing wrong with being a maid.”

“She irons my clothes and cleans my room, for God’s sake!”

“She was our maid. Not any longer. We have a cleaning service for that, now.”

“A maid! Could you not have made a less humiliating choice?”

“There’s nothing humiliating about being a maid. Valentina was studying to become a vet before she started working for us, and she only came to work for us because she owed a lot of money and didn’t have a choice.”

She jerks free from my hold and turns her back on me.

I groan inwardly. “I thought you liked her.”

“Is it the money? Did she marry you for your money?”

“No.”

She twirls to face me again. “What then?” Her laugh is wry. In this moment, she looks so much like her mother. “Don’t tell me you’re in love.”

“She’s going to have a baby,” I say softly.

Like Sylvia, her eyes grow big. Shock washes over her features, leaving her pale and silent.

I take her hand. “This doesn’t change how I feel about you. I’ll always love you. I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but I hope you’ll accept Valentina as a part of this family.”