Carmen suppressed a smile. Any time Alex put someone else in charge, it was bound to arouse suspicion. It would be interesting to see how he planned to manage someone equally cagy.
Carmen sought and found Alondra's hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. Alondra glanced at her and then returned her attention to Alex. Her grip tightened on Carmen's hand.
"What is this problem you speak of?" Senor asked, his forehead furrowed with apprehension.
Alex glanced at Alondra and lifted his brows.
Alondra looked startled and gave Alex a pleading look. When he continued to watch her expectantly, she turned to Carmen. Carmen gave her hand another squeeze.
"Go ahead," she said confidently.
If Alondra was going to stay, sooner or later she would have to talk to her father about it. She might as well do so when she had support. Apparently Alondra came to the same conclusion. She took a deep breath and let it out before addressing her father in a determined voice.
"I have carried Morino's child for two months."
Her fingers gripped Carmen's hand. So that was how a lady announced she was pregnant under such indelicate circumstances.
For a moment Senor Medena stared at his daughter while her words soaked in. His dark gaze scoured her face as Alex would have. Finally gray brows lowered over eyes that flashed. His voice was cold.
"How many times do I tell you this man is not for you?"
Alondra shrank back and her eyes implored Alex for support.
He had told her he was with her all the way, and he didn't let her down. He put his elbows on the table and folded his hands, leaning slightly toward Senor Medena. His voice was gentle, coaxing.
"Dad, it isn't for you to say. She's a grown woman. Her heart belonged to him."
Senor turned a startled gaze on Alex. The tone combined with the much coveted endearment of 'Dad' caught him totally off guard. No doubt, it defanged him to some degree as well.
Alex didn't give him time to recover.
"You said this house wasn't the same without children. Would you throw that chance away? Would you trade it for pride?"
The gray brows shot up. "I would not trade a child for pride. Did I trade you? No, I wished to have you here. I wish to give everything to you."
Carmen glanced from Senor Medena to Alex. They were back to the original argument. Hopefully it wouldn't get ugly.
Alex stiffened. "Because you want an heir - isn't that pride."