Page 54 of When Sinners Hate
“Yes. And that’s me being honest.”
~
If I was nervous about finding myself, as per my husband’s request, being the new ‘respected’ Cortez wife, being that in front of my father has me feeling a little neurotic. Abel’s hand in mine is clenched tightly – a united front perhaps – and irrespective of our complicated relationship, I’m glad I’m not in this alone. Even if I’m not sure what this is.
The meeting is set, apparently, at one of my father’s warehouses. Meeting at a reputable establishment for either family seems to be out of the question.
“You seem on edge, Lexi.”
“No. But no bullshit, remember. Or, if you’d like, I can turn back into the Ortega whore?” I snipe.
“Is that advice you’re offering?”
“Just making sure we’re all on the same page.”
“We will be if you remember you’re my wife and not an Ortega.”
His eyes bore into mine as if he’s challenging me, and a part of me wants to retaliate, but there’s an insecurity I don’t like and can’t shake now.
“I don’t look right, either, thanks to you.” My outfit is stylish and perfect, but it just feels like I’m playing dress-up, and the confidence that comes from my clothes has vanished.
He parks and exits but doesn’t open the door for me. I make my way around the car to him, and we enter one of the open doors, but he doesn’t re-grasp my hand. My father, perhaps thinking this shows him in a position of power, is talking to several of his men. I only recognise one. We approach, and I have to question why my father would choose this place to conduct such an important meeting. Abel doesn’t need to be convinced, nor does he have to be reassured of the product we have to sell.
Loaded trucks are visible at the other end of the warehouse, with a dozen other men around. To anyone casually taking notice, they’re distributing cleaning products, but there’s nothing clean about them.
“Abel. Good to see you.” My father gestures towards Abel and moves to shake his hand.
Father barely acknowledges me and certainly doesn’t greet me like Abel, but I do note the look of confusion running over his features at seeing me. I know him too well for him to hide that.
“It’s about time we looked to put the details together of the business side of our arrangement. And, as discussed with your mother, we both believe the benefits of our alliance will be profitable.” He chuckles as he gloats, but I have a stark image of the girls in that room, branded and sold like cattle.
“I’m still waiting to hear terms that demonstrate that, Miguel. Opening up your distribution options so you can expand is relatively easy for us, but do you have the people in place to potentially start a power play?”
“We have all the people ready, Abel. And you’ve had a sample of the product. We’re yet to receive the same exchange.Right, boys?” He slaps Andreas on the back, but it’s the other men around him that laugh with him, stroking his ego.
I shake my head and look away.
“Our merchandise wasn’t part of the deal.”
“No. My daughter was. And I’m hoping you’ve not brought her to give her back.” They all laugh as he heckles. I feel the heat flush on my cheeks, and, dressed in this stupid outfit, I feel out of place and unarmed to let the comments roll off my back.
“You’ll send the locations, revenue and product delivery schedule you want for the top three territories that you want to move into. We won’t be opening up all of our supply routes. This will be a detailed and measured growth.”
Abel’s calm and meticulous answer irritates my father. I can see it in the tensing of his shoulders and the slip of his smile.
“All of your locations were the agreement with Melena. In good faith.”
“You’re not dealing with Melena. You’re doing business with me.”
“Listen to Abel, Father. Build the expansion, and it will grow into everything you want.”
His eyes narrow on me. “And you’d know all about our business dealings? Abel, I allow Alexia here only out of courtesy because you chose to bring her.” Abel’s expression doesn’t change, and a part of me hopes he might defend me being here. “But she needs to learn her place.” He addresses me, and silence settles around us. “You’ve done your part. Now, run along and leave us to work out the details." He dismisses me like I’m a little child needing attention. He’d be like it when he and Nicolas started talking about products or customers, like it might offend my delicate ears. If he’d kept me out of all business, I might be more generous with my opinion of him. But, with everything in my father’s life, if it suits him or benefits him, then I can beinvolved. He’s a grotesquely selfish man, and it’s times like now that I hate that I’ve given so much of myself to him.
I look to Abel, but he doesn’t show any discernible reaction.
As I turn, my hair whips around my shoulders, and I storm out and back towards the car. Humiliating doesn't even cut it when it comes to how I feel right now.
What was the fucking point?