Page 204 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“Seems your drive has arrived,” Leonard said.

John’s gaze drifted from Leonard’s smile, to the black Mercedes pulling up next to the Clearview welcome sign. He had thought a lot about who might come to pick him up, but that was not the person he considered. “Huh.”

“Not who you were expecting, I suspect?”

“Actually, I can’t say I’m surprised,” John admitted as the man exited the car, and came to stand on the other side. “Unexpected, yes, but not surprised. I thought my uncle, Gio. Or maybe even Andino.”

Leonard chuckled as he stood from the bench. “Mmm, I am sure both of those people fought tooth and nail to be the one here today.”

“Likely.”

“Someone else fought harder, clearly.”

Leonard waved a hand at the waiting man.

Lucian waved back in kind.

“Nice to see you again, old friend,” Leonard called.

“And you, Leo,” John’s father replied.

Leonard looked down at John. “Don’t keep people waiting for you—it’s rude.”

Goddamn.

John got his ass up, and took the hand that Leonard offered to shake. “Thanks.”

“I will see you next week, John. Bright and early. Be there.”

“Of course.”

John’s father had barely pulled the Mercedes out onto the road, before his hand reached for his son. Lucian’s palm cupped John’s cheek, and then slid around to grab the back of his neck. John blinked, and he was pulled closer to his father.

Lucian never looked away from the road when he laughed, gave John a quick pat on the neck, and brought him close enough that their temples touched.

“You look good,” his father said when he finally let him go.

John smiled. “You think?”

“Happy, John.”

“I am.”

Or, as happy as he could be. Sometimes, happiness meant feeling settled and stable. It did not have to be overwhelming joy and pride. Happiness was as simple as feeling and being good inside his head.

It was the little things, after all.

“I thought Andino might come today,” John admitted.

Lucian waved a hand before placing it back to the leather-wrapped steering wheel. “He’s a little busy, that’s all. Everyone is, but they all bickered for hours about who was going to come and get you.”

“Hell, I could have taken a cab home.”

“Not my son.”

That was all his father said.

Maybe, it was all Lucian had to say.