Chapter 3 – The Price of Love: Part II

Pedro Hernandez

Adie and I stayed in bed all afternoon. I don't think either of us wanted to get up, but we had to. We needed to get back home today. She has to be at the university early, and I don’t want to risk us getting so lost in each other that she ends up late. My priority is her, but I want her priority to be school. Over the years, I’ve watched her pour herself into her studies. Her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth, are proud of her—so is her younger brother, Jackson. Adrielle is different from any woman I’ve ever met in my life. I want her to achieve her dreams, and I want to be right by her side when she does.

“I have to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow,” I promise, caressing her face.

Adrielle hasn’t even stepped out of the car and she’s already pouting, like someone who doesn’t want to part ways. It’s like a child denied candy—though there’s nothing innocent about this woman.

“I’ve got Anatomy in the morning, but we’ll see each other after ten,” she says in a gentle tone.

“Alright. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

She leans in slowly and kisses me tenderly. Her kiss turns more suggestive in just two seconds. I know what she’s doing. She has this habit of making me burn for her, then walking away like it’s nothing. Adie pulls back just before planting one last kiss on my cheek and stepping out of the car.

I’m alone again. Now I have to head home.

Today, I believe, I won’t have any issues. My father’s not home—as far as I know, he’s in Vegas. I won’t have to deal with his growls and exaggerated sighs about my relationship with Adrielle. Still, I get this sinking feeling, like something bad is going to happen tonight.

I shake off the feeling as I drive toward the house. As soon as I pass through the gates, I see a white Rolls Royce parked near the entrance. I know it’s Max’s car. It’s one of his favorites. We have a huge garage just for storing his toys. I slow down, and as I approach, I see him standing there with one of his bodyguards and his driver. There’s a black suitcase next to him, which I assume means he just got back.

Was this the bad feeling I had?

I take a deep breath.

I need to stay calm to deal with him—always.

I park, get out, and approach the three men standing by the door.

“Dad,” I greet him.

“Where the hell were you? I’ve been waiting for you!”

His tone is harsh, full of irritation. Max is always like that. I stop right where I am and just look at him.

“Whose suitcase is that?”

“Yours.”

I blink a few times, trying to figure out if I heard him right.

“What?”

“You’re going to Madrid. The plane leaves as soon as everything’s ready.” His deep voice drips with impatience.

I’m still too confused, trying to wrap my head around this sudden change.

“I’m not going to Madrid,” I say firmly.

He gestures with his fingers, pointing at me. His bodyguard and driver take a step toward me. Their hands go to their waists, and I can clearly see the revolvers being unholstered. I wonder if they’re actually loaded or if this is just to scare me.

“You don’t have a choice.” His voice is cold—heartless, just like him. “I told you to stay away from that woman. You left me no option.”

My brow furrows in anger.

“This is about Adrielle? Are we seriously still doing this?” My irritation is thick in the air.

“I told you to end that relationship—she’s not suitable for you!” he shouts. “Your mother raised you to be soft. It’s time you learn what it means to be a man. You’ll finish college far away from her, focus on the family business,” Max steps closer and stops right in front of me, “and you won’t come back until I say so.”

At that moment, I couldn’t do anything. But even so, I hadn’t given up.

“You’ll have to tie me up if you want me to go, because there’s no way I’m leaving Los Angeles, leaving Adrielle,” I growl, jabbing a finger into his chest to make my point crystal clear. “Mom will side with me.”

He scoffs, tossing his head back. Max runs his fingers through his long hair and stares at me again.

“By now, the sleeping pill I gave her has already kicked in.”

A clap of thunder rumbles above us—the rainy season is about to start. I have to stay composed and not react to the loud noise, or I’ll lose my posture in front of Max. I won’t let him see me as weak—as soft, like he said.

I stand there, frozen, staring at him. My body refuses to respond to my brain’s commands. Punch that b*st*rd. That’s all I want—to smash that face full of pointless fillers he got in some stupid attempt to look younger.

“She’ll find out about this.”

“She won’t—because you won’t be here to tell her.” His tone is smug. Max extends his hand, like he expects me to hand something over. I look at him, confused. “Your car keys, wallet, and phone. You’re not keeping in touch with anyone, especially that woman.”

“You really want to rip her away from me at all costs,” I say through gritted teeth. “You can’t stop me from being with her.”

Max seems to lose his patience. Not that he ever had much.

“If you don’t get on that plane, you won’t be punished,” he says, eyes narrowing despite the dim light, “but she will. Don’t play games with me, boy—you know I won’t stop until I get what I want.”

I swallow hard.

It’s true. Max doesn’t stop. In business, he’s relentless and dirty. I’m not surprised he’s doing this to me too.

“If you touch her—”

“I won’t touch her—as long as you go to Madrid.” His tone is unyielding.

But I don’t like the idea of having to trust his word. Max has finally shown his claws, and he’s using everything he can to crush me. There’s only one way to get to me, and he’s found it—he’s using the woman I love.

“If you don’t get on that plane, be prepared to watch her fall into misery. More than she already has. Her family has a place to live, but bills keep coming, boy. The house is mortgaged. Where will they go if the bank throws them out?”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. By now, Max probably owns the bank—it’s how he does things. I’m shattered, unarmed, cornered, with no move left to make against my father. In the end, being the son of a wealthy tycoon does come with a heavy price.

Shit.

“How can you put your own desires above your son’s happiness?” My voice comes out like a sharpened snarl.

It hurts, like it’s tearing me apart.

“I’m doing what’s best for you. You’ll see that in a few years,” he replies coldly. “Now get in the damn car. Try anything, and you’ll land in Madrid covered in bruises.”

I stare at him, stunned that this is really Maxwell Hernandez, my father.