‘Because you’re adopted?’
‘Sí.’ His voice was tight. ‘Because my veins do not run with true blue de la Vega blood.’
She felt a spurt of outrage. ‘But...that’s ridiculous!’
His smile was grim. ‘That is the way of it.’
‘So they...what? Ignore you at family gatherings? Leave you off the invitation list?’
He gave a humourless laugh. ‘If only it were that simple.’
‘What, then?’
He shook his head. ‘You don’t want to know about these things, querida.’
‘I do,’ she insisted, turning sideways in her seat—as much as her seatbelt would allow—to see him better. ‘Tell me.’
He blew out another breath. ‘For more than sixty years the position of CEO of the Vega Corporation has been handed down from father to son. My grandfather and Diego’s grandfather were brothers. They both wanted the position. But my grandfather, as the eldest, was given the role. The rivalry between the brothers continued to the next generation, to their sons—’
‘Your father and Diego’s father?’
‘Sí. My grandfather handed the position to my father, Vittorio, and he, in turn, handed the reins to me five years ago.’
‘And Diego’s father didn’t like that?’ she surmised.
‘Hector’s stance has always been that I have no birth right to any part of the family business. As a board member he officially objected when the CEO role was offered to me, but he couldn’t garner enough support from the rest of the board to veto my appointment.’
She shook her head, appalled. ‘That’s snobbery and prejudice.’
‘It’s more than that. Hector is power-hungry. He wants me out and Diego in.’
‘Diego as CEO?’ After one brief encounter she barely knew the man, but her gut told her his leadership qualities would pale next to Xavier’s. ‘But what about your adoptive brother?’
‘Ramon has never had any interest in the top job.’ Another mirthless smile curved Xavier’s lips. ‘He says he’s allergic to board meetings.’
‘And your father?’
Surely Vittorio de la Vega didn’t idly stand by while his adopted son was vilified by his own family.
‘He stood down as Chairman last year after a health scare—problems with his heart. He remains on the board but he’s taken a step back from the politicking. I prefer it that way. I don’t want him stressed. He’s given his pound of flesh to the business over the years—and he trusts that I can handle whatever Hector throws at me.’
Jordan heard both concern and respect in Xavier’s voice. ‘You care for him very much?’
‘Of course.’ He spoke without hesitation. ‘For both of my parents. They’re good people. The attitude of certain family members towards me has been...difficult for them. Upsetting.’
‘And for you?’ she queried gently.
He shrugged. ‘It has simply made me work harder—to prove I can be better than the likes of Diego and Hector.’
Jordan felt her heart squeeze. Looking at him now, armed with this new knowledge, she saw so much more than a proud, driven, ambitious workaholic. She saw a man who’d had to work hard to prove himself over and over again. Who’d had to fight for acceptance and no doubt watch his back every step of the way.
It was no wonder he came across as arrogant and formidable at times. A man who had enemies constantly attempting to undermine him couldn’t afford to show weakness.
Her chest burned with outrage. ‘Were they cruel to you when you were a child?’
Another dismissive shrug. ‘Diego and a few other cousins on his side of the family resorted to taunts and name-calling when the adults were out of earshot. It was nothing I couldn’t handle.’
‘What sort of names?’