Niall Langston turned from looking out the windows to face me. “A nice location. Building’s a little dated.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I told you. I wanted you to meet Trinity.” His mouth flattened. “And give you your wedding invitation.” He pulled a heavy cream envelope from his suit jacket.
I didn’t glance at Trinity, nor did I take the envelope. “I told you. I’m not coming to your wedding.”
A belligerent look crossed his face. The man was so used to getting his own way. “It’s what sons do. Support their fathers.”
“Yes, if that father had supported his son at any time during his life. If I had a good father, I’d consider it. Or if I thought this sham of relationship stood a chance.”
Trinity gasped.
“You have some nerve, boy,” my father said. “You never had the chops to succeed in business. You’re too soft. You had to steal my company to?—”
I heard the fast clip of heels on the floor. Tessa stepped into view and stopped, partly in front of me.
“Enough,” she snapped.
My father scowled. “Who are you?”
“Tessa Ashford. The manager of this hotel. You’re making a scene in my lobby, and I won’t allow you to spew poison in my hotel. You won’t talk to Ro like that. We both know that Langston Hotels is a far bigger success now that he’s taken over. He cares about this company and its people, and he’s good at it. He gets none of that from you.”
I stared at her. She was sticking up for me. “Tessa?—”
She pressed an arm across my stomach, like she was shielding me. “He said he is not attending your… Was it fifth or sixth wedding?”
I smiled. “Sixth.”
“Right. It’s time you start listening, Mr. Langston. The board gave him the company because he’s the best man for the job. He’s building up the business, and caring about the employees, and?—”
“Soft,” my father spat. “He was always too soft.”
“No, that’s called good business,” she quipped back.
Looking at him, I realized he was just a selfish, bitter old man. Whatever his failings as a father, they had nothing to do with me, and they never had.
I took Tessa’s hand and squeezed.
My father didn’t miss the move. His gaze narrowed, then he grinned. It was ugly. “Oh, you love pontificating to me. You’ve always thought you were better than me. No, you’re just like me, boy. You’re fucking her. You’re fucking an employee.”
I stiffened.
Tessa wasn’t having it.
“He’snothinglike you. He never was and never will be. And now, you’re leaving.” She nodded, and that’s when I saw Enzo had moved close by.
“Come this way,” the concierge said.
My father made a blustering noise. “No, I am?—”
“You’re done, Father. Go.” My tone was final.
Trinity was tugging on his hand. He glared at me, then Tessa, then followed his young fiancée.
Then Tessa grabbed my hand and dragged me in the opposite direction. She angrily scanned us through the staff door and towed me into my office.
“God, I do not like your father.” She jammed her hands on her hips.
