Be My Anchor

Chapter Seventeen

The last time I spoke to Mr. Alejos, I was lecturing him about his terrible parenting skills in a seafood restaurant.

It wasn't an ideal first impression, but I was hoping we'd find common ground eventually.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Yeah, I was pretty sure he wasn't fond of me.

Gabe stepped forward through the balcony door and back into the room. I readily followed, glad to be off the balcony at last. I was not, however, eager to face the wrath of Gabe's father.

"Weren't you supposed to be with her?" Gabe said, nodding to his sleeping mother.

Mr. Alejos waved a hand dismissively. "She ran off somewhere, I wasn't about to go look for her."

"So, you just let her get drunk," he said exasperated. He was looking at the ground, shaking his head.

"I didn't let her do anything," Mr. Alejos spat. He stepped closer, no doubt intentionally using his height to intimidate. He shoved a finger in agaves face. "Don't go accusing me of things when you're the one causing trouble here! Why would you bring these people into our business?"

Gabe shrunk back slightly and his father turned on me.

"Get out!" he roared.

I flinched beneath his booming voice but didn't make an effort to leave. I was busy running through the two options in my head: I could either dive off the balcony or walk past Mr. Alejos to get to the door. I wasn't sure which one was worse.

"You should have listened to me the first time I told you to stay away from my son," he gritted.

I wanted to put him in his place, scream back at him and see how he felt, but nothing came out. I stood frozen in place, trying not to vomit.

This wasn't like the first time he spoke to me like this. This time he was yelling. This time we were secluded in a room without any witnesses.

Beside me, Gabe drew himself back up. "You can't tell her what to do," he said quietly, but sternly.

His father narrowed his eyes at him. "Oh yes, I can. This is my suite and I don't want you in it, girl. So, I'll say it one last time. Get out."

As scary as he was, I wouldn't listen to him. I was here for Gabe and only Gabe. Mr. Alejos hadn't earned my respect and I was reluctant to leave Gabe alone in a room with both of his parents. I turned to Gabe to see what he wanted.

He clenched his jaw before glancing at me sidelong. "Go."

I hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Just go." He looked at me with pleading eyes and I couldn't help but submit.

Sighing, I squeezed his hand one more time before making my way to the exit. Mr. Alejos didn't watch me go, but he emanated an edge of triumph that made me want to stomp on his toes as I passed.

I resisted.

Barely.

Neither of them spoke until I was standing in the hall and the door closed behind me. Immediately, I was scooped up in loving arms. Mom's flaming red hair fell against my face. She pulled away and looked at me with all-consuming pity.

I assumed Dad filled her in on everything while I was in the room with Gabe. I twisted my lips into a small smile for her sake, but the grim look on Dad's face erased the smile quickly.

"Did you talk to Mr. Alejos?" I asked. They must have spoken to him before he walked in.

Dad shifted uncomfortably before me. "Uhm, yes," he admitted. "It didn't go well."