Page 118 of The Killer Card

I shrug. “Maybe later?” Gavin snorts as Nathan tries to punch me in the side, which I easily avoid. “Later, assholes.”

Naomi is just stepping away from her father when I make it over to them. I take a breath, steel my nerves, and hold out a hand to Senator Mychal. “Sir,” I smile as charmingly as I can. “Nice to see you again.”

Next to him Naomi bites her lip as her father’s eyes narrow, trying to figure out how he knows me, clearly recalling that it is not a pleasant memory. “Daddy,” Naomi nudges him into taking my hand. “You remember Graham. He and I were… Seeing each other,” she softens the blow of our former interactions. “Four years ago.”

“Oh,” the memory comes to him with a sudden narrowing of his clear blue eyes, lines deepening in his lightly tanned skin. “Yes, I remember now. You’re the man twice my daughter’s age who confessed his undying love to her.”

His hand tightens slightly around mine until I wince. “A very apt description, Sir.”

“Hmm,” Senator Mychal hums, looking me over in what remains of my suit- no jacket, tie loose around my neck- trying to decide if he likes what he sees when it isn’t in just a jersey and sneakers. “Four years ago,” he repeats. “And yet I saw you up there with her as if no time has passed at all.”

Because for me time has basically stood still, I think, but how the fuck do I convey that to Naomi’s fucking father? I glance at her, blue eyes wide and encouraging because she knows just how much this interaction has stressed me out the last two days.

So, I straighten my spine, meet the senator’s eyes again and I tell him the complete truth, “I love your daughter, Mr. Mychal.” My gaze flits briefly to Naomi, my smile softening. “I have loved her without fail for four years. Even when she didn’t want me. Even when she pushed me away. Even when she refused my help, I loved her anyway. I am in love with her.

“I know I come from no money or status, I’m just a bartender who has a habit of getting into trouble more often than I should. And I know that my age is likely one of many reasons you won’t approve of me, but I think being here- at this wedding- should be enough to show you that sixteen years, when it comes to love, really doesn’t make a difference. Poppy is Elias’ other half. Clara is Rowan’s… And Naomi is mine.”

I give the senator a moment to process my words before tacking on, “And if it makes you feel any better, taking advantage of a woman like your daughter is absolutely impossible. She’s really fucking mean.”

Naomi snorts, which draws her father’s gaze down to her. His brown eyes narrow, but his lips quirk up ever so slightly in the corner. “You’re mean to him?”

She chuckles. “I’m vicious.”

“Good,” he nods, then more quietly. “You love him?”

Naomi smiles at her father, wrapping her arms around one of his. “I do,” she looks up at him. “I love him, Daddy. Very much.”

“Hmm,” he hums again, then turns back to me. “Then who am I to stand between you. However,” he yanks me in suddenly with a strength I did not expect from a politician, his voice dropping several octaves. “If you ever hurt my daughter, her definition of mean will be nothing compared to what I do to you. Understood, Mr. Rosales?”

The way he says my last name makes me think maybe he did a background check into me when I showed up in his driveway four years ago. That maybe he knows a little more about my past than I’ve ever really been willing to admit to anyone besides my friends and Naomi. But I don’t let that anxiety show when I nod, smile and swear on my life that Naomi will always be safe with me.

“You have my word.”

He releases my hand, looking down at his daughter. “He knows?” She nods. “He’s got you?” Again, she nods. “Okay.” He kisses the top of her head, handing her over to me for my turn on the dance floor. “Take care of her.”

“Always,” I promise, smiling as I take her hand, spinning her into my arms. “Para siempre y por siempre, mi reina.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Naomi

Graham and I dance until my feet start to hurt in these ridiculous heels. Honestly, how did I make it through so many nights like this? He leads me in a tango, two slow sways, and so much bachata I don’t think my hips will ever be the same.

Still, despite the ache in my feet, I am completely unwilling to let him go. Unwilling to let this end because the moment it does…

We both have to board separate planes tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be driving back to Montreal in the morning on my own since Cristian will be heading back to Lightning Cove with Clara and Rowan.

He has a World Cup qualifier match in only a week. Nelly had finally explained when I asked why he was dribbling literally everywhere we went these last few days. Elias is already planning to get them to every single game, especially because the country that his son is going to be playing on is Puerto Rico. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him prouder than when he threw that fun fact out over the bonfire a few nights ago.

I’m sure Rowan will also attend all the games, or as many as Clara’s ballet schedule allows. And Graham who I know either attends or watches every Miami game like a proud uncle. Maybe I’ll even be able to catch a few with him?

Hopefully…

“I can feel you thinking too hard, mi reina…” Graham murmurs into my ear as we sway to the music. “Talk to me. What’s on that pretty mind?”

Closing my eyes, I lean my cheek against his shoulder. “I don’t want to have to say goodbye tomorrow,” I whisper. “I don’t want to drive back to Montreal by myself and board a plane alone…”

His arms tighten around me, holding me closer. “I know, baby… I don’t either.” He sighs deeply. “I hate not knowing when I’ll see you again and I don’t… Naomi, how are we going to do this?”