Romero (35 page)

Pat’s jaw dropped. Gina squealed on the phone, making Art reach for the phone and turn the volume down. Before Pat could say anything, Isabel stood up and rushed around the table. “Oh my God. I’m gonna be an aunt?”

Art smiled and nodded pleased that Isabel seemed so happy. Her parents followed, hugging them both, apparently happy about the news also. Even Charles stood to shake Art’s hand and hug Sabrina. Pat was the only one who remained seated. “Art, you two are not even married. Weren’t you guys using protection?”

Leave it to Pat to ask such a thing at a moment like this. Isabel wasn’t sure if it was the mimosas she’d drunk so fast or just the fact that Pat could be such a witch that made her speak up. “It doesn’t matter, Pat. They’re obviously very happy about this and so am I.” She turned and smiled at both Art and Sabrina.

“I’m just saying. A baby is going to make it that much harder to finish school. It’s already taken her this long. And honestly, having babies out of wedlock these days has become so acceptable.”

Isabel glared at her but took another drink of her champagne to keep from lashing out.

“Don’t listen to her, Art and Sabrina.” Gina’s voice was loud and clear. “I for one am very happy for you. You two can always get married later. Finally, a baby in the family. I was getting sick of waiting on Pat and Charles.”

Pat’s expression turned even more severe. Art and Sabrina exchanged another suspicious glance. “The baby wasn’t all we wanted to announce today,” Art said.

Pat turned to them, not even attempting to hide her distaste. Sabrina held out her hand showing off a simple wedding band then Art did the same. “We got married last week.”

There was more squealing out of the phone. Isabel jumped up again, this time stumbling a little and she giggled. “Oh wow, you guys! This is all so unexpected!” She hugged them again and again everyone else followed suit. The exception of course being Pat whose mouth now pulled tightly to the side. “I agree with Isabel. Wow,” was all she said as she reached for the menu.

Everyone ignored her. Gina congratulated them and asked if there were any more announcements. When Art said that was it, she congratulated them again before saying she had to go and hung up.

The second Art and Sabrina walked away to the buffet table, Pat wasted no time to start in about what a mistake he’d made. “I swear people act like a marriage is something you jump into. She got pregnant so half a thought later they’re married. Neither of them have any idea what it takes to make a marriage work.”

“Trust?” Isabel said, eyeing Charles.

“That’s just one of the elements needed to form a strong union. One that’ll withstand not just the ups but the many downs as well. It’s not so simple.”

What a joke.

“They’re both adults, Patricia,” her mother warned. “I don’t want you lecturing them. That’s not why they wanted us here today.”

The rest of the brunch was the same, with Pat throwing in jab after jab about how marriage shouldn’t be taken lightly. She’d already mentioned the importance of knowing someone well enough to see the signs of future issues. That one was aimed at Isabel, of course.

Isabel was feeling lightheaded and much braver. Her resolve and decision to just ignore her sister and keep changing the subject was beginning to wane. It was when Pat brought up trust again that Isabel couldn’t take it anymore. “Because you know without a doubt that you can trust Charles. Right?”

Pat’s brows pinched and Charles stared at her. “Of course. We’ve been married all these years and I’ve never had reason not to.”

Isabel stood up without responding, excusing herself to the ladies’ room. She noticed Charles kept his eyes on her. Not wanting to be overheard she texted Romero.

I don’t know how much longer I can keep quiet about Charles. Pat is so infuriating! She needs to be told how NOT perfect her marriage is.

It took a few seconds but Romero responded.

She’ll know soon enough. You don’t have to tell me what a pain she is. Just be cool for now.

When Isabel got back to her seat, her champagne glass had already been filled, as if she needed any more. Her parents and Pat were gone. She could see them over at the buffet table again. Art was busy smooching Sabrina and Charles sat back in his seat. Isabel couldn’t help glare at him.

“Really is
he
the one that can’t be trusted, Charles?”

Charles’ brows flew up. Isabel turned away from him when she noticed Art and Sabrina stood up. Art chuckled. “How many of those have you had, Bell?”

She looked down to where he was pointing at the champagne glass in her hand. Too many but she wouldn’t admit that out loud. “Are you leaving?”

Just then, Pat and her parents returned to the table, plates in hand. Art explained to them that they had a long drive and were still planning on meeting with Sabrina’s family to give them the news.

Once they were gone, Isabel knew Pat would now openly unleash her self-righteous opinions about them. Even though it was rude to text at the table, Charles had done it the entire time so she pulled her phone out and texted Romero again.

I can’t take this anymore. But I don’t think I’m okay to drive. I had to numb myself with champagne to get through this. You think you can pick me up?

She sipped her water, trying to ignore Pat who was already going off on a tangent when she noticed Charles staring at her. Her phone buzzed and she read the text.

On my way.

Isabel endured, listening to her sister go on and on about what a huge mistake Art had made. Her mother didn’t seem to think so, but was a little hurt that they’d gone off and gotten married without having at least the immediate family there. Her father didn’t say much as usual except that he agreed with Pat that it would be a lot harder for Sabrina to finish school now. Charles was surprisingly quiet throughout the conversation. He could be just as opinionated as Pat when he wanted to be.

From experience, Isabel knew there was no arguing with her sister so she didn’t bother. The waiter had already brought the bill and Pat insisted on paying since she’d picked the restaurant and as usual it was a pricey one on the marina. Of course, she had to throw in a few jabs about not expecting Isabel to pay on her teacher’s salary.

Romero’s text letting her know he was there hadn’t come fast enough. They were all getting ready to leave as well but Isabel didn’t wait to walk out with them. If she had to listen to Pat for even another minute, she was going to scream.

She made one last stop at the ladies’ room before heading out the front door. The cool ocean breeze felt good against her face. Romero leaned against the side of his car and she smiled at him.

“Isabel.”

She turned to see Charles walking toward her. “Is there something you wanna say to me?”

A sudden wave of anger washed over her. There was plenty she wanted to say to him, but she’d wait until Romero gave her the go ahead. “Nope.”

She didn’t like the way he walked up to her and stood menacingly close. “You made a couple of odd comments in there. I couldn’t help but feel they were directed towards me.”

Charles grabbed her arm before she could turn with an expression she’d never seen on him before. “What do you
think
you know?”

“Big mistake, asshole!”

Both Isabel and Charles turned to see Romero rushing toward them, that unmistakable rage in his eyes again.

Charles let go of Isabel’s arm as soon as he saw Romero. Romero charged at him, but Isabel jumped in front of him. “That’s right and don’t you ever put your fucking hands on her again.”

“Don’t please,” Isabel pleaded, her hands on Romero’s chest.

Romero had managed to stay calm as he’d walked toward them when he saw Charles’s body language. He could tell even from where he’d stood Charles was pissed, but seeing him put his hands on him had done it. Only thing keeping him from slamming his fist into Charles’s smug face was Isabel’s touch.

“You must love getting arrested. But then you’re probably used to it, right? Like father, like son?”

Isabel wasn’t going to be able to hold him back much longer. Romero was ready to bury his fist in Charles mouth. The door to the restaurant opened and Isabel’s family walked out. “What’s going on?” Pat hurried toward them. “Is there a problem? Why is he here, Bell?”

“He’s taking me home.”

Charles shook his head. “Some people never learn.” He started to walk toward Pat who had nearly reached them. “Put your dog on a leash, Isabel, before he gets himself into anymore trouble.”

Charles stared at her. Pat’s face went sour and she rolled her eyes. “Oh, I’m gonna believe
him
? Really, Isabel I can’t believe you would—”

“He has a girlfriend in Miami, Pat.”

“No he doesn’t.” Romero said, feeling a little calmer now.

Isabel turned back with a completely confused expression on her face now. Pat crossed her arms looking a little too self-satisfied, so he laid it on her. “He has another wife and a kid.”

No one said anything for a moment then Pat, scoffed. “This is ridiculous.”

Charles said nothing, just stared at Romero.

Romero smirked then turned to Isabel’s dad who appeared shocked. “He’s been taking money donated to the campaign so he can set up his other wife and kid here in San Diego. She gave him an ultimatum. It was either that or she’d come forward and tell Pat.” Romero turned back to Charles. “I guess you don’t have to move her here now uh? Now that the truth is out, she can stay in Miami.”

Pat turned to Charles. “This isn’t true right? He’s making this up, right… Charles?”

Turns out Romero was off with his theory of Pat knowing about Charles’ escapades, because when Charles didn’t say anything, Pat dropped her purse and took a swing at him. Her parents rushed to them, Charles managed to grab hold of her arms and told her to calm down. She was hysterical. The scene only got worse as Pat screamed obscenities and her father and Isabel trying to pull her back. Her mother stood off to the side in near tears pleading with Pat to calm down.

Romero hurried toward them to try and help as people began to gather and restaurant patrons began coming out. Just as he’d reached them he saw Charles grab both of her hands with one of his and the second Romero saw him lift his other hand he knew what was about to happen and he jumped, wrapping his arm around Charles’ neck, startling them all but no one more than Charles. Pat probably deserved to be slapped more than a few times through out her life. But not by a fucking man. “Rule number one, you prick—never hit a woman!” Romero’s grip around Charles’s neck got even tighter, making Charles grunt. “Especially not in front of me.”

Romero’s plan was to kick Charles’ ass, but Pat didn’t give him a chance. With Charles in a choke hold, she took advantage and landed a couple of resonating slaps on his face that could be heard clear across the marina, then topped it with a knee to his groin. Romero let go when he felt Charles body go limp. He fell to the pavement with a groan.

Clearly, now wasn’t the time to let Pat in on everything his buddy from the mall had managed to uncover in just one day. But she knew the most damning thing already. He’d been having this affair for a few years now but it wasn’t until several months ago when his love child was born that his mistress started pressing to be closer to him. That was right around the time he and Pat began pushing for Isabel’s dad to run for Mayor.

The idiot had actually gone and married his mistress when she found out she was pregnant to keep her mouth shut.

*

As expected, Pat filed for divorce and pressed bigamy charges against Charles. Charles was also hit with charges of embezzlement along with a few other counts of fraud. Isabel was furious that weeks later he still hadn’t done so much as an hour in jail. His lawyers had him out on bail before he ever went in. Romero warned her that he’d probably get off easy.

Even though her dad knew people in high places, unfortunately so did Charles. As bad as she felt for her sister, she was glad she’d found out about Charles before they had any kids together. Ironically all the time her sister had worried Romero or Sabrina would somehow taint her dad’s reputation and harm his campaign, it had been her own husband that ultimately cost her dad the chance to be Mayor. With the scandal that followed about the campaign donations being mishandled her dad decided to resign from running, something Isabel suspected he was secretly relieved about. At least now he could enjoy his retirement in peace.

What Isabel least expected was for Pat to apologize to Romero and even thank him for everything, including jumping in to stop Charles when he was obviously going to slap her. Not only had she apologized, but after witnessing Romero’s indignation regarding a man hitting a woman, she told him she was glad someone like him was watching out for Isabel and she admitted she had him all wrong. While she still said his temper was something he needed to work on, she also said she’d never worry about him turning it on Isabel again.