Filthy Secret

LUPITA

The screen door slams, and Dad’s heavy footfalls echo through the house. He comes through the doorway, his shoulders sagging in relief at seeing me. “Lupita.” He takes me in his arms, squeezing me so

tight, he might break a rib.

“Jorge, be careful with her.” Mom sniffs into one of the napkins she’s balled up into her palm as Estela consoles her.

“I thought-”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I didn’t know the meaning of the word until today. My poor father has dark shadows under his eyes. Somehow, he looks like he’s lost weight. Meanwhile, Mom’s eyes are so swollen, a swarm of bees could have stung her.

“I failed you,” he says, his voice breaking. “Both as a father and as a man.” He blinks, dropping his head when his eyes fill with tears.

“No,” I reply, horrified at his conclusion. “No, you didn’t. I put myself in a dangerous situation.”

He shuffles back. “Did they hurt you, mija?” The anguish in his face is painful to watch. “Estela, can you take us to the clinic?” he blurts, not waiting for my reply.

“Yes, of course.” Estela steps forward.

“I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the doctor. The guy who took me knew you were coming, so he rushed me out of the truck and across the ranch.”

“Lupita.” He crushes me against him again. “I should have sold the whole damn thing.” He looks out to the living room, as if he could see the ranch. “We should have left this damn place a long time ago.”

“Dad.”

“We can still do that.” He sets me back. “De Marco should still be in town.”

Leave, now? Am I being selfish in not wanting to go? Is it the fact Roman will be nearby? “No.” I shake my head.

“After all this?” he asks. “You’d still choose to stay?”

My pulse beats at my throat, knowing this is a huge decision. “We can’t sell. Not now.”

“Mr. Roman was with her when I found them,” Estela chimes in. His brow furrows. “Is that who took you? Was that bastard involved?” I open my mouth, but somehow I can’t get the words out.

Then the door opens, and Dad turns to find Roman standing behind him. Roman

I

don’t even have time to announce myself when Jorge whirls on me.

“What the hell did you do to my daughter?”

I frown, catching sight of Lupita from over his head.

“Dad, wait.” I should have brought her home then gone back, but my temper wouldn’t allow it. Not when Antonio left her, knowing she was in danger. “Let him in,” she continues.

Jorge cocks his head, coming into the living room. I should have moved into the kitchen. Instead, I left a wide berth, so now he’s trying to exert dominance.

“I spent the night with Lupita.”

“You bastard,” he spits out, lip curled.

“Jorge.” His wife rushes out, gripping his forearm as Lupita comes to stand next to me.

“He found me out there, and he saved me,” Lupita explains.

“Then he took advantage of you.” He turns back to me, his eyes full of hatred. “I should shoot you right here and now, for ruining my daughter.”

“She may be your daughter, but she’s going to be my wife.” Silence settles around us so thick, it could suffocate me. “If she’s not already pregnant, she will be by the time we’re married.”

Jorge’s face starts turning a shade of purple. “You think that fixes everything?” he snarls.

“You have until a week from Sunday,” I cut in. “To make arrangements -church, dress, friends, whatever else. I’m not willing to wait a day longer.”

“Dress?” Jorge spits out. “You expect her to wear white after-”

“Watch. Your. Mouth.” I take a step forward, with Lupita pulling on my arm to get my attention. The pleading in her expression is enough to make me grind my teeth. Tightening my fist pulls on the bruised skin. Satisfaction washes over me at the image of Antonio, when I left him. I turn back to Jorge, calmer than I would have expected. “There was nobody before me,” I explain. “And there won’t be anyone else after.” Jorge turns to Lupita, accusation in his eyes.

“Papa, please…”

“Jorge, be reasonable,” Ines pleads. “None of us expected this.”

There’s no misunderstanding what she’s saying. I’ve compromised her only child. “I would ask for her hand, but I know I’ve taken much more than that.” It’s as honest as a man can be. “If you have a problem, I have no issue with getting on a plane and flying to Vegas. We can be married before the day is over. If you don’t want us here, I’ll take her with me, back to New York.”

Ines gasps, turning to her husband. “If they leave, I’m going with them,” she declares. Estela crosses her hands over her chest.

Exhaustion evident in every fiber of his being, he turns to his daughter.

“Are you good with this, hija? You don’t even know the man.”

Lupita steps forward, a pleasant smile on her lips. “Yes, Dad.” She glances over her shoulder at me. “There’s a lot still to be said,” she admits, turning back to him. “But in my heart, I know this is right.”

He swallows hard, nodding absently. “Okay.” Reluctantly, he stretches out a hand. “Welcome to the family, Roman,” he says solemnly.

I take his roughened palm in mine. “I understand your love for your ranch, for your heritage. Because of that, I got your land back from the

Mendozas. The fence comes down tomorrow.”

Jorge goes still. “What?” The shock in his expression is priceless.

“His family fu-” I catch myself. “They cheated your family, which is soon to be my family. And I take care of my own, just like you do. With the land you’re getting back and the deals I’ve worked out, we’ll have thirty thousand acres to start with.”

“Thirty thousand?” His jaw drops.

“My children, your grandchildren, will want for nothing.” “Dios,” Ines adds in.

“But you’re right, I’m not a rancher. Not yet,” I continue. Lupita’s grip loosens. “You can start packing. As soon as we clear out your old house, you can move in.” I turn to Lupita, needing to make sure she’s on board. Her shy smile reassures me, so I continue our conversation. “I’d like it if you would teach me.”

“Just like that? You’re going to pull up roots and move here?” He lifts a skeptical brow.

“When you find the one you’ve been waiting for,” I say, remembering her words, “it’s a lot easier than you think.” “Thank you,” she whispers next to me.

I smile down at her pretty face. “Lupita and I will stay there with you until the new house is built, if that’s okay.” “New house?” Jorge frowns.

“It’ll be nearby,” I assure him. Ines gives me the biggest smile. “I already picked out a spot.”

“That was fast,” he says, still frowning.

“And I fully expect to have you try to run me into the ground the first few days.” It’s what I’d do, in his shoes.

Jorge finally breaks into a tired laugh. “You’re funny,” he scoffs. “The first few days.”