They crossed the line, and he was going to do everything he could to keep her safe, and if that meant taking on his parents, he’d do it. He hoped he wouldn’t have to bring down the company he’d worked hard to build up, but he had a feeling his threats would have enough impact on their own.
What he wanted to know was why Hamilton was contacted. Adora didn’t need to deal with this kind of shit, and he’d make sure that she didn’t suffer because of his own family problems. He should have dealt with them a long time ago, but as always, he left them alone, and now his parents were taking steps to get rid of the woman he’d picked. And he’d never wanted a woman more.
Glancing at the clock, he wondered if Adora would do as he asked, or if he’d have to go and chase her down.
Seconds passed, and the sound of his personal assistant over the intercom came through.
“Sir, I know you said to notify you when Adora Garcia arrived, but, erm, I’ve got a Maria Garcia here,” she said.
Tobias sat up. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
What was Maria doing here?
“Send her in.”
There was only one way to find out.
His PA opened the office door, introducing her again before leaving, closing the door behind her. Maria Garcia stood in his office, her hands clasped together, and looking so out of place, it was almost pitiful.
He wondered if he should just wait to talk to her when her daughter arrived. They’d never been able to share much in conversation, and he didn’t want just anyone to know his business.
“I’m sorry to disturb you.” Her accent was very thick, but her English impeccable. She talked a little slower, and each word was pronounced as if she wasn’t used to it.
“You speak English?”
Maria sighed. “Yes. It’s … not as good as Adora’s, but I try.”
“Does Adora know?”
The sadness in Maria’s eyes was clear. “No.”
He stood up from his desk, rounded it, and perched on the end, folding his arms. “Why are you here?”
“You’re going to hurt my daughter, like all men with power do.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear, and for the first time, Tobias saw the woman that Hamilton had hurt. The sadness, the pain, the fear—it was all there.
“I’ve no intention of ever hurting your daughter.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “I’ve been fired from my post today. Your parents’ reach is … very far.”
He stood up a little straighter at that.
Maria sighed. “I don’t like to interfere, but I know my daughter’s education means the world to her. I want her to have what I never could. She deserves it so much. They’re going to take it away from her.”
“I promise you, Maria, that will never happen. I would like to hire you in a permanent position.” He reached back, clicking the intercom. “Get me an employment sheet.” He turned back to Maria. “I was so busy focusing on how to win back your daughter that I didn’t think about you. That’s my problem, and I’m sorry.”
His PA returned holding what he asked for. He thanked her, and waited for her to leave.
“I won’t take that.”
“Look, Adora is going to be mine. I’ve already got something in place for you, where you can live and not have to worry about another Hamilton.”
He watched her pale.
“You know about that?”
“Adora knows, Maria. She knows who her father is, and what he did to you.”