“What do you care?” the woman bit out.
“I don’t,” Lola said coolly. “But he’s supposed to be protecting us, and it’s obvious he can’t do that when he’s so distressed. Why won’t you allow him to see his son?”
“None of your business!”
“But it is, as I just explained. So what’s it to be? No more money? Or back to court?”
Silence fell on the other end.
“My new boyfriend doesn’t like Tobias coming around.”
“I understand,” Lola said, relaxing. “But your son is the most important thing. Right? And your son needs his father. Doesn’t he?”
There was a grudging sigh. “Yes,” the woman said finally. She paused. “Fine. I’ll deal with my boyfriend. Mason misses his father, too. He’s been complaining about it. Put Tobias back on.”
Lola handed the phone to Tobias. “Here.”
Satisfaction flashed through her as she headed back into the house, carrying her baby on her hip. At least she hadn’t lost all her skills. After unpacking her beach bag, she gave Jett a bath to wash off all the sunscreen. She toweled him off, changed him into fresh clothes and then held him close, relishing the clean baby smell.
Afterward, she carried him back toward the kitchen, intending to make herself a comforting cup of tea. Tobias was waiting for her in the great room.
“I get to see my son tonight after work,” he said. “My ex is even going to give me extra time, to make up for the days I missed.” He shook his head. “How did you talk her into it?”
She shrugged. “It wasn’t hard.”
“I guess the real question,” he said slowly, “is why did you get involved?”
“As I said, I wanted your full attention—”
“Mrs. Cabrera.” Shaking his head, he gave her a grin. “How dumb do you think I am?”
She stared at him, unblinking. Then she said slowly, “My father died when I was five, the same age as your son. I have almost no memories of him.” She looked away. “I hate it when families are separated.”
“I see,” Tobias said quietly. He paused. “Was there some reason you came looking for me earlier?”
Sitting here, in this elegant, luxurious beach house, her earlier fears about the stranger on the beach seemed paranoid. “I just wondered if you’d heard from my husband since he left. Because...because I haven’t. He hasn’t answered any of my calls.” At his astonished expression, she said quickly, “I just want to know Rodrigo is okay.”
Tobias stared at her, then held out his phone. “Try calling him with this.”
Lola’s eyes went wide. She looked up at him. “Are you sure?”
He shrugged.
“He might fire you,” she said.
“He can try.” Tobias gave a crooked grin. “But I’m backing you, Mrs. Cabrera.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He turned away. Lola stared down at the bodyguard’s phone in her hand. Slowly, she typed in Rodrigo’s name. His number came up.
Taking a deep breath, she hit the dial button.
* * *
An hour after Rodrigo’s private jet landed in Los Angeles, he walked into his office building downtown, feeling exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with his hectic business travel to his bustling film studio in Mexico City or his newly acquired television network in Buenos Aires.
For the last week, he’d barely slept. Even when he had, peace had evaded him. And he knew why.