Hearing his last question, I just hope Jacky doesn’t pick up on it because as yet neither Ramon or me have explained to our family about Carla now being with me.
“He has a woman.” She stands up straightening her clothes before stomping out of the office and banging the door behind her.
Ruben frowns. “This woman. Is she real or to stop Jacky?”
Sighing, knowing I’m going to have to tell him something. “Yes, it’s true.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out as he shuts it again.
“It’s been complicated. Not so much now, but it’s been hell as I thought she was with someone else. As it turns out she wasn’t really with him. The whole damn situation was driving me crazy.” I drag a hand from the back of my neck, over my head and down my face in exhaustion, although my exhaustion now has more to do with the sexy as sin woman I can’t do without.
“Carla,” Ruben says, with a wry grin on his face. “I have eyes. As far as I’m aware you’ve behaved for months now. I’ve also seen you lusting after her when you thought no one was watching, and vice versa.” He sits forward in his chair. “What I don’t understand is her relationship with Ramon, if she wants you and you’re now with her.”
Itching to call Carla, I start fiddling with my cell while I stare at my brother. “He told us about Gary the other day. He’s the reason why Ramon pretended she was his girlfriend. She was already living with him for protection so he asked her to act as his girlfriend before Mom found out and started on about living in sin and getting married.” I lean back in my chair. “You know what she’s like. He had no idea his ‘no commitment’ brother would fall for her and vice-versa.”
“Fuck. Well at least she wasn’t actually dating Ramon, that would have been, um, awkward.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.” I let the silence go on, unwilling to break it.
Something’s wrong, probably at his club and I wish he’d just come out and tell me instead of prolonging the inevitable, but I don’t have all day. I have some paperwork to get done for Jacky to handle over the next day or two while I’m with Carla so I ask, “What are you doing here? I’ve been acting CEO for about six months now and I can count on one hand the amount of times you’ve been in here during that time.”
He looks uneasy as he looks anywhere but at me.
“Rosie was attacked in one of the restrooms at the club last night.”
My eyes widen as I watch my brother stand and begin to pace, back and forth in front of my desk. “She’s alright, Keith got to her just in time to watch her knee him in the balls. Thank God. I tried to get her to move into my spare room, but she won’t have any of it because I’m her fucking boss. The pig headed woman.”
At this, I start to chuckle. “Are you sure your motive was purely honorable.” My brother, unbeknown to him, has a thing for ‘little Rosie’ and watching them together is entertaining to say the least.
He scowls, ignoring my comment. “She says she doesn’t know the guy, but it’s the same guy you saved her from on the dance floor the other night. Keith recognized him. I don’t know what the fuck is going on at my own club and it’s pissing me off.” Stopping in front of my desk, he looks at me. “I came here to see if you, Ramon and Lucien can come down to the club and keep a look out, but as though you’re there drinking, catching up. Something is going on and I intend to find out just what.”
I nod. “That’s fine, but I don’t really want to bring Carla into trouble, she’s in enough as it is. I also don’t want to leave her at night either.” I need to work something out to help him. “Leave it with me. I want to help you so we’ll see what can be worked out. Are you going to talk to the others?”
“Yeah, I’m heading over there now.” Ruben starts to leave then looks back over his shoulder. “Thanks Sebastian.”
“Don’t say anything to anyone about me and Carla just yet, okay?” I shout after him and see him acknowledge my request with a shake of his hand over his shoulder.
Chapter 23
Carla
“Okay, now it’s just us for probably five minutes I want you to tell me about Sebastian,” Lily insists, patting the cushion beside her as an indication she wants me to sit with her and with the wicked gleam in her eye, she wants more than a few words. “Carla, I might be pregnant, but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my woman’s intuition…or my eye sight.” She grins at me while smoothing her top over her huge stomach. “Besides I’m not having sex right now since Michael read online that a man’s sperm can start labor.” She rolls her eyes. “I wouldn’t mind labor starting. I look like an elephant and it’s damn uncomfortable.”
I start laughing, as I collapse into the seat she pats. “You only have a couple of weeks to your due date right?” Seeing Lily nod, I carry on, “Twins usually arrive early from what I’ve heard, so personally I think you’re doing really well hanging on to them.”