The Tycoon Takes a Wife by Catherine Mann

measure of a man was how he acted when no one was looking.
    “I am hoping you can hold some sway over her to see my father for what may very well be the last time. She needs persuading. She’s a stubborn woman.”
    “Wait. Hold on for just a damn minute. You say you haven’t seen her, but you know all about her personality?”
    He shrugged. Did this dude ever relay any emotion? “I never said we haven’t kept close watch over her.”
    She definitely wouldn’t like that. Even if this guywas on the up and up, another possibility still existed. He might be a stalker. Family could stalk. And dealing with that possibility took precedence. “It’s time for you and me to leave.”
    “You and I?”
    “I’m not letting you walk away until I am one hundred percent sure who you are. I have connections of my own.”
    “Fair enough. Just one question first.” Duarte’s dark eyes narrowed as if zeroing in for the kill. “Who did you think I was when you entered?”
    The sound of a key rattling in the front door jarred the silence between them. Damn it all. He should have moved faster. The hinges creaked and Jonah put himself between this man and the path Eloisa would take.
    Eloisa filled the open French doors, two grocery bags in her arms and her mouth open wide.
    “Duarte?”
     
    Shock nailed her feet to the floor.
    Eloisa blinked fast twice, unable to believe her eyes. It couldn’t possibly be one of the Medina brothers…. Did he even go by Medina?
    But she’d seen a few pictures over the years and she would never forget the faces of her faraway brothers. That summer she’d visited, Duarte had told her of his dream to take a new last name, maybe his mother’s maiden name, and move out of the compound, into the world. Duarte had been emphatic about making his own way in the world.
    She’d understood that, even at seven, when he’d talked about his plans for “getting the hell off this island.”
    Island? Until just this moment she’d forgotten that part of talking with him.
    From his slick suit, gold watch and some kind of signature cologne, it didn’t seem he’d done too badly for himself. She was glad for him if he’d managed to fulfill those dreams of leading his own life.
    Although he had managed to send all her evening plans up into smoke.
    Eloisa juggled bags of groceries in her arms as her purse dangled from her elbow. She would have set them on the counter when she’d entered the apartment, but she’d heard two voices on the patio and rushed out there, food and all.
    She’d traded a favor at work and clocked out early. She was always the one staying late for others who had surprise dates.
    It was fun to be on the other side of that for a change. So much for fun.
    Both men stepped forward to take a sack from her arms, the food she’d bought with such grand ideas for her evening. She’d taken great care in making her selections at the market. Deciding had been tougher than she expected because what could you serve a tycoon world traveler?
    She’d opted for a simple regional classic that might actually have a chance at being heavy enough for a big guy like Jonah—shrimp and grits, with slaw and biscuits on the side. She’d splurged on a bottle of good wine. Well, what she considered good, which could very well be swill by his standards. Not that it mattered now since they had an extra guest.
    Her hands shook with nerves and she nearly droppedher purse. How silly to be this uptight about making dinner for a guy.
    Dinner for her husband.
    She felt the smile on her face before she ever realized she’d reacted. Seeing him made her happy. Wow. What an awesome—and scary—notion.
    Especially with this huge distraction between them. Before she could do anything, she needed to find out why her brother had shown up here so unexpectedly.
    The space between them might be short—the patio was microscopic, after all—but there might as well have been a mile between them. Hugging this distant man she’d