Her father stood in the hallway.

The smile on her face died. Katy felt her heart rate double and suddenly her palms were damp.

Reminding herself that she was twenty-nine years of age and that he couldn’t touch her any more, she dropped the knife she was holding and tried to control her shaking legs.

‘Dad! How did you get in?’

‘I’ve got a key.’

Well, of course he had, Katy thought dully. Somehow, somewhere her father had managed to obtain a key to her flat. And now he was inside. And she was in trouble.

‘Did you want something?’

He moved towards her, his powerful bulk blocking the doorway of the kitchen, his expression ugly. ‘You’re seeing Rodriguez again.’

Her heart lurched and she fought the impulse to take several steps backwards. ‘That’s none of your business.’

She didn’t even question how he knew. Her father knew everything.

‘I wondered why you made that nonsensical speech about breaking off your engagement,’ he growled. ‘I should have guessed it was Rodriguez. And don’t try denying it. I had a call from a journalist today. They’ve got pictures of you together.’

Katy stared at him blankly. Pictures?

How?

They’d been in Spain, for goodness’ sake. Who on earth had managed to take a picture of them?

‘Some nonsense about you saving a life in Spain.’ Her father gave a dismissive snort. ‘It’s everywhere. Take a tip from me—next time you want to run away with your boyfriend, be more discreet.’

‘And leave someone lying by the roadside?’ Katy looked at him with incredulity, registering just how callous he was. ‘And for your information, I wasn’t running away with anyone.’

‘But you’re seeing him. I can’t believe you’d be stupid enough to see Rodriguez again. I thought I’d managed to get rid of him eleven years ago,’ her father said nastily, taking another step into the room.

Suddenly realising that she could smell alcohol on his breath, she felt her stomach lurch with fear. ‘I want you to leave,’ she said quietly. ‘We can talk about this another time.’

‘There’s nothing more to talk about.’ He lifted a hand and stabbed a finger towards her. ‘You’re marrying Freddie, my girl, and that’s the end of it.’

‘I’m marrying Jago!’

The moment the impulsive declaration left her lips she knew she’d made a mistake and she closed her eyes briefly, cursing her stupidity.

Dear God, she never should have said that.

In his current mood, goodness only knew what her father was capable of.

He stared at her for a moment, stunned into silence by her passionate announcement, swaying slightly as he stood. ‘You’re marrying Rodriguez?’

Katy stood still, frozen to the spot, hardly daring to breathe.

Her father gave a short laugh. ‘Then you’re more of a fool than I thought you were. Do you really think he loves you?’ He gave a derisive snort. ‘Of course he doesn’t. He’s just using you. He wants your name, your reputation and your money. But most of all he wants revenge.’