Alejandro's Revenge (3 page)

Edward was waiting outside. He could evidently get around with the help of the crutches he had propped beneath his arms. He looked a little shamefaced, however, and Abby only hesitated a second before stepping back to let him in.

Closing the door, she leant back against it for a moment. Then, still without saying anything, she walked past him and into the bedroom, returning to the examination of her clothes she'd been making before he'd interrupted her. But her heart wasn't in it, and when her brother limped to stand in the archway, watching her, she was forced to meet his pleading gaze.

‘Are you mad at me?' he asked, giving her an appealing look, and she took a calming breath before replying.

‘Can you blame me?' she demanded. Then, after a pause, ‘You let me think you were seriously injured, Eddie. I was really worried about you. And now I find there's nothing wrong with you that a few weeks' rest won't cure.'

Edward looked injured. ‘I wouldn't say that.'

Abby gave him a forbearing look. ‘Comparatively speaking,' she retorted shortly. ‘What have you got? A fractured femur? Cuts and bruises? Life-threatening? I don't think so.'

Edward limped to the armchair by the open balcony doors and eased himself into it. ‘So what are you saying?' he asked. ‘That I have to be at death's door before you'd make the effort to come and see me?'

Abby sighed. ‘That's not what I meant and you know it.'

‘Do I?' Edward was on the offensive now. ‘It sounds suspiciously like it to me.'

‘Well, that's because you're choosing to take it that way,' replied Abby, catching on fast. ‘And you're not going to make me feel guilty, Eddie. I know you too well. What's really going on here? You might as well tell me. I haven't got the time to waste trying to second-guess you.'

Edward's mouth took on a resentful curve. ‘It sounds as if you don't care what happens to me any more.'

‘Oh, Eddie!' Abby flopped down onto the side of the bed, feeling as if she wanted to scream. It was bad enough that he'd got her out here in the first place. She could do without his self-pity now she was here. ‘Stop twisting my words. I'm pleased to see you again. Of course I am. But you have to understand, this is not a holiday for me.'

‘It's not a holiday for me either,' muttered Edward peevishly, and Abby shook her head.

‘You know what I mean. I've had to take leave of absence from school, and now that Ross and I are—'

‘Oh, I wondered when Kenyon would come into it,' Edward interrupted her harshly, and Abby remembered belatedly that he didn't care for Ross any more than her fiancé cared for him.

They'd all met last year, when Edward had brought Lauren to see where he'd used to live in England, and Abby recalled how she'd hoped that the two men would hit it off. Her relationship with Ross had still been in its initial stages at that time, and it had seemed a good idea to get the two men together.

It hadn't worked. Ross had considered Edward selfish and immature, and her brother had resented the occasionally patronising attitude Ross had adopted. She'd tried to explain that Ross was used to dealing with recalcitrant teenagers, but that had only exacerbated the situation. Edward had accused her of implying that he was no better than one of Ross's students, and in her efforts to placate him she'd inadvertently offended
Ross, too. The whole affair had been a nightmare, and she should have known better than to mention her fiancé now.

However, before she could think of some way of defusing the situation, Edward spoke again. Scuffing the toe of his canvas shoe against the polished floor, he lifted one shoulder in a conciliatory gesture.

‘Anyway,' he mumbled, barely audibly, ‘you're right. I didn't ask you to come out here just because of the accident.'

Abby's brows, which were considerably darker than her hair, drew rather warily together. ‘You didn't?' she asked carefully, as if she hadn't been implying as much for the past few minutes. ‘So why did you ask me to come?'

Edward blew out a breath. ‘I—well, I needed to talk to you about Lauren. I think she's having an affair.'

A
BBY
was stunned. ‘You're not serious!'

‘Why not?' Edward, who had been staring moodily at the rug he had displaced with his toe, now looked up. ‘Don't you think any man would want to have an affair with her?'

‘Don't be silly.' Sometimes Abby was inclined to agree with Ross's assessment of the younger man. ‘That has nothing to do with it.' She hesitated. ‘What I mean is, I can't imagine why you would think such a thing.'

Or could she? Unwillingly Abby remembered how Lauren had behaved towards Alejandro Varga. Even if their relationship allowed for some familiarity, Abby had noticed that she'd been inordinately pleased to see him.

Edward scowled now, his next words shocking her out of any lingering sense of complacency. ‘What am I supposed to think when she takes every chance she gets to spend time with Varga?' he demanded. ‘And now that I'm half crippled with this leg, I don't even know where she is half the time.'

Abby's jaw had dropped as he spoke, but now she hurriedly rescued it. ‘You're not implying she's having an affair with—with Alejandro?' she exclaimed disbelievingly.

‘Why not?' Edward's pale eyes challenged hers.

‘Well, because—because he's married?'

‘Not any more.'

‘Not any more?' Abby blinked. ‘You mean, he's—divorced?'

‘It happens,' said Edward bitterly. ‘I always knew Maria was too good for him.'

Abby didn't know what to say. The last thing she wanted was for Edward to imagine she was still interested in Alejandro. All the same…

‘Are you saying that Lauren had something to do with him getting a divorce?' she ventured incredulously, and Edward hunched his shoulders.

‘No.' He was impatient. ‘That happened a while ago. He and Maria were having problems before we even got married.'

‘They were?'

Abby tried to hide her reaction from him. She clearly remembered Edward giving her the impression that Alejandro and his wife were happy together. That Dolores had been devastated when Maria had suffered a family emergency and hadn't been able to attend the wedding.

What emergency had that been? Her impending divorce?

Aware that Edward was watching her rather suspiciously, Abby realised that her face was far too expressive. Raising defensive eyebrows at him, she opted for a casual enquiry. ‘What?'

‘You tell me,' he said. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?'

‘Like what?'

‘Don't pretend you don't know.' Edward was resentful now. ‘I bet you were thinking that that wasn't what I said before.'

Abby chose to be obtuse. ‘
What
wasn't what you said before?' she asked, refusing to make it easy for him.

‘That Varga and his wife were having problems,' he retorted. ‘Okay, I admit it. I wanted to put you off him. I could see you were attracted to him, and I didn't want someone like him involved with my sister.'

Abby stared at him. ‘So, what are you saying? That you told lies about him?'

‘Not lies, no.' Edward was defensive. ‘I just exaggerated the truth a little, that's all. No big deal.'

Abby shook her head in disbelief. ‘And what gave you the right to interfere in my life?'

‘Oh, let's not get carried away here,' protested Edward insensitively. ‘The chances of you and Varga getting it together weren't exactly likely, were they? I mean, I know you were flattered when he offered to take you sightseeing and all, but
you have to understand that's what these guys are like. Coming on to a woman—any woman—is second nature to them, and Varga more than most. I never liked him. I hoped that when the wedding was over he'd crawl back under his stone.' He scoffed. ‘Some chance!'

‘Edward!'

‘Well…' He was unrepentant. ‘I assumed he was just a distant relative. I had no idea he'd become such a constant presence in our lives. Do you know, he's a major shareholder in Luis's company? This new leisure complex they're hoping to open next Christmas is being financed by Varga. He and Luis are partners. Partners! How do you think that makes me feel? I'm Luis's son-in-law, not Alejandro.'

Abby was stunned—as much by the fact that Edward had lied to her as by his obvious envy of the other man. She didn't know what she thought of his suspicions about Alejandro and Lauren. She would reserve judgement. But after what he'd told her, how dependable was anything he said?

She was so glad now that she'd never confided her own feelings to Edward. Though perhaps it would have been easier if she had. Surely then he would have thought twice about involving her in his present problems. Yet, knowing Edward as she did there were no guarantees.

Feeling her way, she said cautiously, ‘I still don't see what you're saying. All right. I accept that—that Alejandro is a regular visitor to the house. But you and Lauren don't live here. You have your own apartment, don't you? In Coconut Grove.'

Edward gave her an exasperated look. ‘You don't know much about Cuban families, do you?' he snorted. ‘Well, let me tell you, they stick together. Like, living in each other's pockets, if you know what I mean? Sure, we have our own place, but Lauren's hardly ever there. When I'm at work she's more often here. Or somewhere else, if you get my drift?'

‘Somewhere else?' Abby suspected she knew what he was getting at but she decided to let him go on.

‘Yeah.' Edward scowled. ‘Making nice with—Alejandro.'

He pronounced the other man's name just as Lauren did, and Abby's stomach tightened unpleasantly. ‘But he's her cousin,' she protested. ‘Cousins don't get involved with one another in this country. I read it somewhere. It's considered too close a relationship.'

‘Tell that to my wife,' retorted Edward dourly. ‘In any case, he's not her cousin. Not exactly. He's a distant relation of her mother's.'

Abby sighed. ‘Even so—'

‘Even so, I know what I'm talking about,' snapped Edward irritably. ‘I might have known you wouldn't believe me. It's Kenyon, isn't it? He's poisoned your mind against me.'

‘Don't be so ridiculous!' Abby gasped. ‘Ross couldn't do such a thing. I just—' She paused. ‘What proof do you have?'

‘What more proof do I need? You saw them together. Can you honestly tell me that you didn't think they seemed pretty close for distant cousins?'

Abby pushed herself up from the bed, feeling incredibly weary suddenly. It had been a long day. It might only be early evening in Miami, but it was after eleven o'clock back home. And, after all the upheaval, she'd forgotten to phone her fiancé as she'd promised. Would he understand that she'd had other things on her mind?

But breaking a promise to Ross was the least of her worries, she thought heavily. When she'd agreed to come here she'd hoped to avoid any mention of the man who'd caused such anguish in her life. Now it seemed he was an integral part of Edward's reasons for contacting her. And she so much didn't want to have to think about Alejandro again.

She'd done all her thinking and regretting two years ago, she thought bitterly. Even if, as it appeared now, he hadn't been as black as she'd painted him in her own mind. But he'd still behaved quite heartlessly. She didn't think she'd ever forgive him for that.

‘Abbs?'

Edward was gazing up at her with a look of hopeful expectation on his face and she guessed he wasn't thinking about
her. Had it ever occurred to him that she might have a life of her own? she wondered. As far as Edward was concerned, she'd only ever been there for him.

‘I'm tired,' she told him now, glancing longingly towards the large colonial bed. But as that evidently wasn't the right answer, judging by his sulky face, she tried again. ‘I just don't know what you want from me, Eddie. I'm only going to be here for a couple of days. If you're expecting me to spy on your wife for you, then—'

‘Hey, I didn't ask you here to act like some kind of private eye,' exclaimed Edward impatiently. ‘I doubt if you'd be any good at it anyway.' He grimaced. You're not exactly the inconspicuous type!'

Abby caught her breath. ‘You know,' she said tensely, ‘I've a good mind to phone the airport here and now and ask how soon I can get a flight home. I realise you're upset about Lauren, but that doesn't give you the right to insult me.'

‘I'm not insulting you,' Edward snorted angrily ‘Dammit, you couldn't be further from the truth. Okay, maybe I'm no good at choosing the right words. I'm not an English graduate, am I?' he taunted. ‘What I'm trying to say is, people notice you. Hell, they'd notice any tall redhead around here. You may have noticed. They're not exactly thick on the ground.'

Abby expelled a resigned breath. ‘If you say so.'

‘I do say so.' Edward tried to reach out and grasp her hand but she evaded him. ‘Come on, Abbs. Lighten up. You could at least say it's good to see me again.'

Abby shook her head. ‘I'd just like to know why you've brought me here,' she said. ‘I mean, I am glad to see you again, but if it's just my advice you want you could have had that over the phone.'

Edward's hand dropped onto his thigh. ‘Well, that's telling me straight, isn't it?'

‘Eddie!'

‘Oh, all right.' He levered himself up from the chair and, using the crutches, made his way out onto the balcony. ‘I want your help.'

‘My help?' Abby followed him to the doorway, watching as he turned and propped his back against the railings. ‘How am I supposed to help you? Do you want to come back to England? Is that it? Do you need my support to get started again over there?'

‘As if!' Edward looked incredulous now. ‘Abby, nothing could persuade me to come back to England again. I like it here. It's my home. Not this house, of course, although with a bit of luck it will be mine one day.' He grinned momentarily, and then, realising his sister was watching him with appalled eyes, he sobered. ‘No, what I mean is, I've got a good job at the restaurant. I'd be a fool to even think about leaving Florida and starting again.'

‘Then—?'

‘Give me time,' he protested. ‘I'm getting there. But this isn't easy for me, Abbs. I don't want you to think I haven't thought this through.'

‘Thought what through?' Abby could feel herself getting edgy. ‘Eddie, if you expect me to try and persuade Lauren—'

‘Lauren?' He pushed himself away from the railings and came back to where she was standing. ‘Lauren wouldn't listen to anything you had to say.' He pulled a face. ‘She's blind and deaf to any criticism where Varga is concerned.'

‘Well, that's good, because I was going to say I wouldn't do it,' retorted Abby shortly. ‘Come on, Eddie, get to the point.'

Edward hung his head, staring down at the plaster that encased his leg as if he hoped it would provide him with some inspiration. Then, when she was on the point of yelling at him, he said, ‘As a matter of fact I don't want to you to
talk
to anyone.' He paused. ‘I want you to use any means necessary to get Varga off my back.'

 

It was barely light when Abby opened her eyes. Her body clock was still working on British time, and even though she'd found it incredibly difficult to get to sleep the night before, she had no desire to stay in bed now.

Being tired didn't stop her brain from working. It just added to the chaos in her head. She couldn't wait to escape the turmoil of uncertainty that was gripping her. Dear God, what was she going to do?

Although it was almost twelve hours since Edward had exploded his bombshell, she still felt numb. No, that wasn't true. If she'd still felt numb she wouldn't be suffering such a sense of betrayal. Wouldn't be wondering if she'd ever trust her brother again.

Had he actually asked her to try and use her influence on Alejandro? Did he really believe that the other man would care about anything she had to say? It was two years since she'd spoken to the Cuban; two years and many hours of heartache she couldn't bear to go through again.

Besides, speaking to Alejandro was only a part of what he wanted. As Edward had implied when he was talking about his wife, words wouldn't accomplish anything at all. What he really needed was for her to try and rekindle whatever interest Alejandro had had in her. He was asking her to jerk Alejandro's chain. To do whatever was necessary to distract the other man's attentions from his wife.

In other words to seduce him, if she could.

And what kind of a brother would ask his sister to do something like that?

Throwing back the covers, Abby thrust her feet out of bed. She had the distinct feeling she was dreaming all this. But when she accidentally stood on an earring that she'd dropped the night before, and it dug into the pad of her foot, she realised it was no dream.

A nightmare, maybe, she thought, bending to pick up the circle of gold and automatically threading it through her ear. Certainly last night's dinner hadn't been exactly what she'd expected, and it had been apparent from the Esquivals' behaviour that they thought she'd invited herself here.

‘How long can you stay?' Dolores had asked politely, passing her a bowl of rice and beans so that she could serve herself. ‘Edward couldn't tell us what your plans were.'

I bet he couldn't,
Abby had fumed silently, noticing that once again Edward was avoiding her eyes. But, ‘I'm not sure,' she'd responded, deciding he shouldn't have it all his own way. ‘When Edward told me about his accident I felt I ought to come and see how he was for myself. I hope you don't mind.'

‘Of course we don't mind,' Luis Esquival had assured her smoothly, his innate courtesy not allowing him to make any other response. ‘You are Edward's sister, Abigail. You are welcome here at any time. I hope your brother assured you of that.'