Ramon turned to her. ‘But still—’

‘We’repossessionsto him, not really people.’ She let go of his hand to rub the tension from her forehead. It was hard to explain how it happened, how someone could have control over others in such an overwhelming, undeniable way. ‘It was important we make him look good—that we didn’t disrespect him, that we made him proud. His word was law—there was no compromise. He wasn’t willing to listen to alternative ideas. Not from me anyway.’

Ramon rolled his shoulders. ‘Your mother didn’t stand up to him? Your ex-husband?’

She dropped her hand and straightened. ‘It doesn’t matter—I shouldn’t need anyone to stand up for me. I should be able to handle it myself.’

She moved. There was no point delaying this. Ramon walked beside her as she moved towards the private function room. The door was ajar and she heard a polite laugh. When they walked in almost everyone in the room turned. She caught Ashleigh’s eye and inwardly winced at her sister’s desperate look of relief. But then she saw her father’s expression—shock, swiftly followed by rage. Yeah, he didn’t like surprises. Didn’t like not knowing what was going on—because that made his control vulnerable.

But suddenly Elodie wasn’t the capable, confident person she’d thought she’d become. She was a girl again. Afraid of displeasing the man who demanded complete obedience over everything. In a nanosecond she was entirely paralysed.

Her father stepped forward. ‘Who are—?’

‘Ramon Fernandez,’ Ramon interrupted coolly. ‘Elodie’s husband.’

Everyone stared—stunned—including Elodie, because she hadn’t expected him to just come out with it like that. But of course Ramon was nothing if not quick once he’d decided upon an action.

‘Full marks for dramatic entrance, no?’ he murmured as he put a firm hand on her back and guided her forward to claim centre space in the room.

Elodie shot him a brittle smile of appreciation and cowardly as it was, allowed him to take the lead. He wasn’t a cat amongst the pigeons, he was a panther. Sleek and predatory and totally at ease, and she was so grateful because he gave her a chance to breathe.

‘You’re...what?’ her father asked.

‘With two such happy occasions this is the perfect time for us all to reunite, don’t you agree?’ Ramon picked up a cocktail and raised the glass.

No one agreed. No one said anything. But life began to trickle back into Elodie.

‘I wasn’t aware of it until recently, but it is amazing to consider our families’ double connection.’ Ramon sipped before immediately setting the glass down as if the taste had displeased him. ‘Of course Elodie and I don’t want to overshadow your upcoming celebrations, cousin.’ Ramon appeared regretful as he turned to the young man on the other side of her father. ‘Perhaps you ought to consider delaying your announcement—’

‘What?’Elodie’s father turned puce.

‘Better still,’ Ramon continued, unperturbed by the interruption. ‘Cancel it completely.’

And that was definitely an order, not a suggestion.

Elodie had thought it would amuse Ramon to do this; instead she sensed he was actually battling a deep anger that went beyond her understanding.

‘You’re not... You can’t...’ Her father stepped forward. ‘You’re—’

‘Ramon Fernandez,’ Ramon repeated patiently. ‘Chair of Fernandez Group Holdings. Your daughter Elodie’s husband.’

Ashleigh had covered her mouth with her hand and had been slowly edging closer and closer to Elodie this whole time. ‘Elodie?’

‘One celebration at a time, I think,’ Ramon said as if it were all settled. ‘After all, Ashleigh is young. She hasn’t had much opportunity to see the world. Don’t you agree?’

Again, no one agreed.

Elodie looked at the well-dressed woman standing alongside her mother. It had to be Ramon’s aunt. She was younger than Elodie had imagined her to be—formidable and clearly furious. His cousin’s face was awash with colour and he fidgeted until his mother said something sharp in Spanish that stilled him.

‘Ashleigh.’ Ramon turned and addressed her sister in a far gentler tone. ‘It would be our pleasure if you would join Elodie and me in London. Take a break from the pressures here. Would you like that?’

Ashleigh’s eyes widened.

‘Ash—’

‘Don’t interrupt, Dad.’ Elodie finally remembered she had a spine and spoke firmly. ‘This is her choice.’

She looked her ruddy-faced father in the eyes and felt a completely foreign calm enter, easing her lungs as she stared him down. And for once he fell silent.