Forbidden Promises

by Synithia Williams

  “Mmm-hmm.” She went to the front door and opened it.

  Okay, so she obviously didn’t want to tell him why she was upset with him. Years of dealing with Elaina refusing to say what she felt and picking a fight instead of dealing with a problem should have prepared him for this. Except he and India had never had that type of relationship. They used to talk, a lot, about everything. Whatever he’d done, he needed to know so he could fix it. He’d missed India. More than he’d realized, and he didn’t want them to not be at least cordial with each other.

  “How was Rome?”

  “I was in Paris last,” was her clipped reply.

  He followed her to a red Kia Optima with a rental company tag on the back. “Last I heard it was Rome.”

  “Well, you heard wrong.” She pulled the keys out of the pocket of her shorts. The lights flashed and the car beeped before the trunk popped.

  Travis sighed. He was not about to do the silent treatment with her. “All right, India, what gives?”

  She reached into the trunk and pulled out a carry-on. “What do you mean?”

  “This cold shoulder you’re giving me? Did Elaina say something to you?”

  She glared at him over her shoulder. “What would Elaina have to say to me about you?”

  “The hell if I know. That’s the only thing I can think of to explain why you’re acting like talking to me is a chore.”

  She jerked on one of the large suitcases in the trunk. “What do you want me to do, Travis? I’m not the little girl that used to follow you around.”

  Travis hurried over, brushed her hand aside and pulled out the suitcase. After setting it next to her, he took a good look at her. Her shorts stopped right below the curve of her ass. She had nice thighs and toned calves. The tank top she wore clung to breasts that were just the right size. No, she definitely wasn’t a little girl anymore.

  “I’m not asking you to follow me around, but damn, can you at least smile and act like you’re happy to see me?” He slammed the trunk shut.

  India crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “You’re my sister’s ex-husband. I didn’t realize we were supposed to be friends.”

  “I didn’t realize that meant we had to be enemies.” He tried to say it lightly. Like her words hadn’t felt like a slap in the face, but his confusion couldn’t be hidden. He’d been so damn happy to see her, and being friends with him wasn’t even a possibility for her?

  “I just... I can’t...” She took a deep breath. “Look, I’m only in town for a few days, all right? I’ve changed. I’m not your little buddy anymore, okay?”

  Her words hurt. More than they should have. He broke eye contact, grabbed her bags and carried them to the front door. He knew things had been awkward after the night he’d kissed her. More than kissed her, if he allowed himself to be truthful. The night he’d helped her ring in her twenty-first birthday with whiskey shots under the moonlight. India’s mother used to love celebrating her children’s birthdays. After her mother died, India had a hard time on her birthday. She’d been so sad and in need of a distraction from her pain, and she’d planned to go to a party with people from his old neighborhood. A party that had been busted up late thanks to a drug deal and gunfire.

  Even though he didn’t regret convincing her to stay and skip the party, he did regret the kiss that steamrollered out of hand and resulted in India going from friend to a temptation he had to fight to ignore. After that night, he’d promised to keep his hands off of India. And he had. They’d never talked about that night. When Elaina came to him later with news that changed everything, he’d decided a night of whiskey shots and impulsive kisses did not need to be revisited.

  “I can take them inside,” India said when he reached the front door.

  Travis turned to face her. She still avoided meeting his gaze. His friend was gone and had been for a while. “You’re right. Things have changed. That doesn’t mean we can’t start over.”

  She lifted the handle on one of the suitcases and opened the door. “Consider this us starting over. I’ll see you around, Travis.” She lifted the carry-on with the other and went inside. She shut the door firmly in his face.

  Travis stared at the front door. The urge to follow her inside and try to clear the air wrestled with good sense. India was right. Time had passed. Decisions had been made. Their old friendship was over and done with. He’d accepted that when he’d taken up Mr. Robidoux’s offer, accepted responsibility for his actions and proposed to Elaina.

  He shook his head and walked to his Cadillac Escalade. He got in and tried to push aside the musings of what might have happened if he’d done things differently.

  CHAPTER THREE

  INDIA STARED AT the black dress on her bed and frowned. The dress was her staple. The one she wore whenever she performed. A simple shift dress that was functional and slightly cute. She really liked the dress for sitting on a stage playing her violin. Not so much for going to a party at her family home. A party where Travis would be in attendance.

  Someone knocked on the door. Giving the bland dress one last glare, she went to the door. Party attendance hadn’t been on her mind when she’d come home. She didn’t have anything nicer to wear. Asking Elaina was out of the question. Her sister wasn’t big on sharing her designer clothes with anyone.

  India opened the door. “Daddy!” She rushed forward into his arms.

  Grant Robidoux wrapped his strong arms around her. The faint smell of cigars, the same scent that reminded her of home, clung to his suit.

  “Someone told me my baby girl was home.” He squeezed her again before stepping back. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  Her father was a handsome man. Skin the color of dark honey, light brown eyes, curly hair that was a distinguished salt-and-pepper color, and a smile that brightened every time she walked into the room. He was ruthless when it came to his business, but when it came to her he had always been her big teddy bear.

  “I wanted to surprise everyone. I didn’t want this to be a big deal.”

  “Big deal?” he asked in his larger-than-life voice. “Of course, it’s a big deal when my baby comes home.” He looked her over. Not quite as critical as Elaina, but an inspection nonetheless. “You’ve lost weight. Your mama, God rest her soul, would lose her mind if she saw you so skinny.”

  India laughed and shook her head. She went back into her room and her dad followed her. “I’m far from skinny, Daddy.”

  “You were a lot thicker before you left. They aren’t feeding you in that Transatlantic Orchestra?” he asked, as if he were about to file a formal complaint for negligence. He would if she gave any indication of wrongdoing.

  “They’re feeding us just fine. We travel a lot. I eat a lot. I’m also not eating a bunch of junk.”

  “Well, I’ll make sure Patricia makes all your favorite foods while you’re home.”

  India’s happiness dimmed. “Patricia still works here?”

  Grant’s gaze sharpened. “Of course, she does. Why wouldn’t she?” he asked in a slow drawl that dared her to voice any objection.

  India went to her suitcase and pulled out more clothes instead of facing that stare. “It’s been years. Just wondering.”

  India loved her daddy more than anything, but she still hadn’t forgiven him for going to their family cook’s bed while their mother fought a breast cancer battle. She’d already had that fight with him. A fight that made Patricia leave for nearly a year, but she was right back in their kitchen one month after her mother’s funeral.

  “Well, she’ll be happy to see you,” Grant said as if India should be thrilled about Patricia’s efforts to play nice. “You know how much Patricia loves to spoil you kids.”

  Patricia liked to spoil her daddy. Not them. “So, Byron’s going for Senate, huh?”

  Grant shook his head but let her change the subject. He
smiled and sat on the edge of her bed. “He sure is. I couldn’t be prouder of that boy.”

  “I thought you wanted him to work at Robidoux Tobacco?”

  “I did, but he can do a lot more for us in Washington. Keep the legislation going in favor of us large tobacco producers. Help calm down some of the complaints that cigars and cigarettes are bad for you.”

  She cut a glance at him. “Daddy, they aren’t exactly good for you.”

  Grant grunted and waved his hand dismissively. “Neither is liquor, but you don’t see anyone doing mass media campaigns against the alcohol industry. Besides, we’ve got an entire division dedicated to making smoking less harmful. Hired a new scientist and everything.”

  She lifted a brow. “That’s good.”

  “Yeah...that’s what they say. How long you staying in town?”

  “Just for a few days.”

  He stood and shook his head. “No, your brother needs you here longer.”

  India’s spine stiffened. She heard the demand in her father’s voice. “Daddy, I’ve got my own plans.”

  “And you’ve also got a family. You haven’t been home in four years. Now it’s time to do your part for the family.”

  “Seriously? I’ve been home a few hours and I’m already getting the family-first speech.”

  “Yes, and you’re going to keep getting the speech.” He pointed one long, perfectly manicured finger her way. “You’re a Robidoux. You benefit from all the hard work everyone in this family puts in. You can stay for longer than a few days and help get your brother to Washington so he can continue to help the family.”

  “Daddy—”

  “We’ll discuss this more tomorrow. After the official announcement in the morning, we’re all meeting to talk about the best way to help Byron win. Come prepared to help.” He looked at his watch. “I’ve got to change for the party. Your sister put this entire thing together and has everything running like clockwork. She might not be able to hold together a marriage, but she sure can throw a party.”

  “Don’t say that.” Her dad threw out his opinions with little thought of how they may hurt.

  He shrugged. “It’s the truth.” He met her eyes. “I’m encouraging Travis to find a good woman to marry. Someone not connected to our family. No need to stir up any trouble with Elaina.”

  Heat spread over her cheeks. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Just thought you should know. He needs to move on. I’ve got a good idea of who he should move on with, and when he does, Elaina will move on, too.”

  “Is she having a hard time?” Was her sister still in love with Travis?

  “I just know she hasn’t dated anyone since her divorce and who knows how long it’ll be before she does date someone if Travis doesn’t start?” He went to the door and stopped. “I’m glad you’re home, baby.” He winked, then exited.

  India released a heavy sigh and fell back on the bed. Her dad was like a hurricane. He came in, tossed things around the way he wanted and destroyed his opponent’s good intentions. She didn’t want to stay, but she’d bet her Fiddlerman violin he’d maneuver things for her to stick around. Just like he was maneuvering Travis to find another wife.

  Was Elaina really not dating after the divorce? She must not be. Her dad didn’t say things unless he was sure. Did that mean she was waiting on Travis? Did she hold on to the hope they’d get back together? If that was the case, why had they split in the first place? The idea of Elaina still in love with Travis made India feel like the worst sister on the planet for still wanting him.

  She slapped her forehead. None of that mattered. She couldn’t even entertain any lingering feelings she still had for Travis. He treated her as if she were still the young kid who had followed him around all those years. The only reason he’d kissed her that night was because they’d chased the flavor of the newest Robidoux cigar with whiskey shots on her birthday. He’d overheard her planning to go partying with her cousin Ashiya. He’d told her she didn’t need to get drunk with people he used to hang out with.

  Then why don’t I get drunk with you? She’d thrown out the taunt with a flirty smile.

  God, she’d wanted so badly for him to see her as a woman instead of a kid. She’d known he and Elaina had been sneaking off together for years. Then she’d overheard them fighting. Heard Travis say he wasn’t going back and forth with Elaina anymore and Elaina say she was done with him. When she’d asked Elaina about it later, her sister had told her to mind her own business right before she’d left the house with to hell with Travis the last words on her lips. India had assumed they were done.

  He’d taken her to the edge of one of the fields, where they’d lit cigars, talked art and music and downed too many shots. Then made out like cats in heat.

  For years she’d analyzed that night. The words they’d spoken. The look in his eye. The way he’d touched her. The way he’d brought her pleasure. Each touch and kiss she’d taken as proof that he really did care about her. But the next day he’d told her they’d been drunk and made a mistake. He’d avoided her for two weeks, then proposed to Elaina.

  Her dad was right. Travis needed to find a new woman and he needed to find her quickly. Then she and her sister would be able to move on. Maybe.

  * * *

  THE BAND PLAYED upbeat jazz, champagne flowed like a stream, and everyone who was anyone in the county filled the grounds behind the Robidoux estate. After Robidoux Tobacco became one of the top tobacco producers in the state, their grandfather, whose own grandfather had once been a sharecropper on the land, vowed to build a home fit for a king. The huge brick mansion sported towers, spiraling staircases and grand entrances. He’d named the place Robidoux Castle, and sometimes India was sure her father believed they really were black royalty.

  Now, as India looked over the backyard with the strung lights, full bars and mixture of people over the lawn, she wished her grandfather was still alive to see all the people playing court at his castle. He’d died when she was seven, but she remembered him taking her, Elaina and Byron out to the fields and telling them about the process of growing tobacco. How he’d bought the land, grown the business and become a leader in their community. She didn’t smoke and hated the pomp and circumstance that came with being a Robidoux sometimes, but she was proud of her family’s achievements.

  She scanned the crowd. Her gaze landed on a woman in an elegant emerald green one-shoulder dress, tall like her father with the same dark honey complexion and thick, beautiful, salt-and-pepper hair in a tapered style that accented her smiling face. India hurried down the brick patio stairs to the bar on the lawn.

  “Aunt Liz,” she said.

  Her father’s sister stopped speaking to some people India didn’t recognize and turned toward her. A huge grin broke out on her face. “India, baby girl, why didn’t anyone tell me you were here?” She excused herself and strolled over to India.

  India reached out for a hug. Liz had always been her favorite aunt. After India’s mother died, Liz had stepped in as a second mother to India and her siblings. India loved her almost as if she were her mother.

  “I’m surprised Daddy didn’t say anything.”

  Elizabeth Robidoux Waters pulled back but kept India’s hands in hers. “You know your daddy likes to make a grand entrance. He hasn’t made it down yet.”

  “True. What about Byron? He’s just as much of a showboat as Daddy.”

  Liz laughed and pointed across the lawn. “The man of the hour is over there, charming a few men from the local chamber of commerce. I haven’t gone over to speak to him yet. I’ll let him work the crowd for now and get my hug in later. Your sister is also doing her duty as the diligent hostess. She reminds me so much of your mama in that way. Virginia knew how to throw a party.”

  India remembered the lavish parties her mom would coordinate. She never seemed stressed or frustrated when thing
s went wrong. A trait India wished she possessed. Virginia always laughed and said things would work out. They always did, and no one left a Robidoux party disappointed. Every day India missed her mom. Elaina had done a great job with the party, but their mom would have made everything sparkle just from the pride she would have felt with the idea of her son running for Senate.

  India looked at Elaina, charming the crowd in a dazzling black-and-silver cocktail dress, her long hair pulled up in a sleek twist. She looked so much like their mom. Tears welled in India’s eyes. “Daddy says she’s just like mama.”

  “Which is why they butt heads so much,” Liz said with a raised brow. The unexpected comment made India chuckle and washed away the melancholy feelings. “Elaina is as stubborn and strong-willed as your mom was. I think your dad married Virginia in a macho attempt to try to tame her. Impossible, but Grant never could back down from a challenge.” Warmth didn’t fill her voice. Aunt Liz and her mama hadn’t been best of friends, but they’d both loved her dad and therefore they’d gotten along.

  “Everyone’s here then?” India said, choosing to pull Aunt Liz out of the past, as well. India once again scanned the crowd, her brain automatically searching for a certain person even though common sense said she shouldn’t.

  Liz gasped. “What in the world? I can’t believe it.”

  India looked back at her aunt. “What?”

  Liz pointed toward the patio, a scowl on her face. “Travis brought a date. Sweet Jesus, I know your dad wants him to move on, but he didn’t have to move on tonight.”

  India turned toward the patio. Her breath locked in her lungs. Sure, it was hard for a man to look bad in a tuxedo. But it damn sure wasn’t fair for Travis to look delectable in one. A beautiful woman with dark brown skin wearing a sexy black cocktail dress clung to his arm. Her dark hair was swept up into a complicated style that showed off her slender neck. Travis leaned to the side while the woman whispered something in his ear that made him smile.