Oma must have noticed my reaction and spoke up. “Isa, come sit with me. You just missed your fiancé.”
My heartbeat spiked. “He was here?”
I moved around to where Oma sat and shot Papa a look, but he ignored me.
“Yes, but he had pressing business to attend,” Jonas added as he took his seat. “It’s something you’ll have to become used to. As a Weber, you’ll have responsibilities and a role to play.”
I was beginning to dislike Jonas Weber more than I already had.
“Isa is a fine hostess.” Mama glanced in my direction without actually catching my eyes. “We’ve raised her well, and she knows what’s expected of her.”
“I’m sure it’s all fine and well, but everyone knows she’s been doted upon by the family since you couldn’t produce more children. She’ll need to have a solid backbone.”
“My child has a will of steel. Don’t mistake her beauty and delicate size as any indication of her nature.”
Were they really talking about me as if I were a head of cattle up for auction?
“She is a pampered princess. We’ll teach her what she needs to know to be a true Weber and what will become her responsibilities.”
Oh, hell no, he hadn’t just said that.
“I’m well educated, beyond you and even what your son has achieved. I run an art foundation as well as various charities. I know exactly how to deal with responsibilities.” My tone wasn’t per se hard, but it conveyed I wasn’t going to let Jonas Weber bully my family. “You’re my future father-in-law, not my future husband. Your input on my behavior and responsibilities isn’t requested or required. Your father purchased me for your son, not for yourself.”
I stood, knowing I probably shouldn’t have said that. I was so tired of people setting the course for my life. I wasn’t going to let this man set the precedent for all our future interactions.
It was better that he knew I was a hellion and not the wimp he assumed I was.
Jonas’s face grew red. “I am the head of my family and you will honor me as such.”
“I read the contract. The second I say my vows, my future husband is the head of the family. I’ve done my research.” I glanced at Oma. “I’m sorry but I don’t believe brunch is a good idea.”
“Benz, are you going to say anything to this girl of yours?”
“I believe she expresses our sentiment. You forced this on our family.”
I felt a surge of pride at Papa’s words. He’d stood up for me, even if it went against Jonas.
“No, our fathers did.” His lips curved. “As did our wives.”
“It makes no difference. You and I both know it never had to pass. A contract like that isn’t binding unless one of the parties tries to enforce it. You want what I’ve built.”
Papa’s words had no effect on Jonas. His grin grew. “My son will own everything you built. I win, no matter your belief.”
“And on that note, I’ll head out. Enjoy your brunch. I’m sure there will be hours of stimulating conversation.”
I came around the table.
“Where are you going?” Papa asked.
“I have to do some paperwork at the museum for an appraisal I gave them.” I turned my attention to Jonas. “Papa Jonas, I would like to refrain from any and all further interaction with you until after the wedding.”
I walked toward the doors.
He rose to grab my hand as I passed him. I wasn’t sure what came over me. I twisted, breaking Jonas’s hold, and then shoved him back, knocking him into the table, causing wine to spill everywhere.
I ignored the shock on my family’s faces.
“Don’t ever touch me. The only Weber who’ll get that right is the one I was bought for.”
I stalked out, not bothering to look back.
When I hit the cold fall air, I felt my heartbeat echo into my ears.
Holy fuck, I’d just about decked a man who was not only my future father-in-law, but a crime boss. The fucker shouldn’t have touched me.
Why the hell had Papa thought it was a good idea to have brunch with Weber when I didn’t want to meet his son until our wedding day? And why the fuck had Sebastian Weber shown up?
Was it some power play to remind me my wants and desires were second to those of the Webers?
It wasn’t as if I could forget my mother and my grandfather had sold me to Weber like I was a commodity.
I decided I needed a drink and made my way to Dimitri’s, the bar on the corner of the street.
It was named after the owner, who would be tending bar. He’d given me my first “legal” drink when I’d turned eighteen. It wasn’t technically illegal for me to drink wine or beer after I turned sixteen, but it wasn’t something well-bred daughters did.
Plus, going to the bar would keep the urge to go to Emma’s and see if Baz showed up at bay.
That was another complication I had to keep out of my life. What was the point of tempting myself with something I knew I couldn’t have?
I pulled the heavy door open, causing the bell on the door to jingle.
Dimitri looked up from wiping the bar, and immediately a smile covered his face.
“Isa, it’s been too long.”
I hugged Dimitri as he came around the bar.
“It’s hard to make it down here unless I’m visiting Mama and Papa. Especially since I don’t live in the neighborhood anymore.”
“Yes,” he said in his musing way. “Stephan told me the other day. He also mentioned you’re doing very well in the art business. I hear you’re booked out for the next year.”
Stephan was head of security for Papa and well aware I wasn’t the princess the world believed me to be. He’d personally kept me out of trouble a time or two when I was a teenager. He also treated me like his own daughter and bragged about me like a proud papa.
I glanced at my own security lead, Jax, who
