The One For Me (Danver #8)(65)

Freaking Oliver. How did he even know what was going on in Mark’s life? Oliver was his father’s brother and lived in Santa Barbara, California. Mark spoke to him about as often as he did his parents, which wasn’t much. But the bastard was nosy and about as bitter as his brother that he hadn’t been left controlling interest in the DeSanto Group. He was also more than happy to cash his dividend checks and enjoy the life that Mark provided them all. “My personal affairs aren’t open for discussion.” Lifting a brow, he asked, “Now, was there anything else?”

His mother moved from her perch and put a manicured hand on his shoulder. “Mark, we’d just like to meet her. Surely, you can understand why we’d be curious. You’ve never been in a relationship before.”

“Plus, there’s more to consider here than picking out goddamned china, boy,” his father interjected. “You come from a very wealthy family and this woman doesn’t. We have to make sure that she understands her place.”

“Her place?” Mark parroted, unable to comprehend what he was hearing. His mother’s hand tightened, and he thought that her husband’s crazy ramblings might have surprised even her. “What exactly are you talking about?” he asked, trying to rein in a temper that was threatening to blow out of control.

“Honey, I believe what your father is trying to say—and maybe not well—is that we’d love to meet Crystal. I’m sure she’s a lovely young woman, but we’re a little concerned about the difference in your backgrounds.”

Mark could only gape at her. “You grew up sharing a bedroom with three sisters and your mother made your clothes. Tell me how you’re suddenly better than the woman I’m seeing or how you could possibly stand here and have the audacity to participate in this absurd conversation? Unless I’m mistaken, you weren’t raised rich—actually, Crystal probably had it much better than you did.”

“Now listen here, son,” his father blustered. “Don’t talk to your mother in that tone. We’re tired of being treated like lepers every time we visit our son. After all we’ve done for you, is it too much to ask for some respect?”

“Respect?” he spat out. “Is that what you’re showing me when you barge into my home and immediately begin hurling insults at the woman I’m dating? By the way, I’d like to know how you know so much about her. Because I swear to God, if someone on my payroll had her investigated, then their ass will be out the door before they know what hit them.”

He could tell by the momentary shift on his father’s face that it had indeed been someone at DeSanto. Great, he was officially picking up the tab for invading Crystal’s privacy. A few of the older employees who were loyal to first his grandfather, and then his father, were still employed, and he could easily see his father finagling some favors with the assistance of Oliver. No one in his father’s family was capable of arranging anything complicated on their own. They were too used to making one simple call and getting what they needed. “This girl is divorced; were you even aware of that?”

“Of course,” Mark huffed. “We’re not living in the Stone Age. People get married and sometimes it doesn’t work out. Should they stay together when that’s the case?” He didn’t bother adding that he’d pegged his parents for a future divorced couple from a young age and was constantly amazed that it hadn’t happened yet.

“We understand that, Mark,” his mother again injected. “We have friends who are no longer together. We’re not saying that it doesn’t happen.” Great, another organized tag team session, he thought as she paused for a moment before continuing. “What we’re distressed about is the fact that while she’s seeing you, she’s also attempting to reconcile with her ex-husband. I assume that you know that, so could you explain that behavior to your father and me as well?”

Mark froze, staring up at his mother. She looked genuinely perplexed, which made two of them. Surely, they’d gotten something wrong somewhere. He knew that Crystal’s mother had ambushed her into dinner with her ex-husband several weeks back, but she hadn’t made mention of him once since then. That was probably what this whole thing was about. The investigator had found out about it. His chest lightened as he looked over at his now-pacing father. “Her ex is close with her parents, so naturally she’s run into him there. That’s all it is, though. She spends most of her free time here.”

Mark felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as his father gave him a look that was a cross between pity and compassion. That unsettled him more than any words that he could have said. He knew something—goddammit, what was going on? Instead of his usual booming voice, this one was quiet as he said, “Son, she’s been going to marriage counseling while you’ve been involved. The counselor’s name is Celia Mulkey, and she has an office downtown.” Then the evening took an even stranger turn when without saying anything other than good-bye, his parents left as quickly as they’d arrived. Either they felt that their work at dismantling his life was complete or they felt sorry for him and decided not to kick him again while he was down. To Mark, it just drove home the fact that he’d been caught completely unawares and hadn’t been able to hide it.