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Staring down at the stone on my finger, I’m still amazed we’re engaged. I barely remember how it came to be, yet it’s my most significant memory. The twinkling diamond reflects the sun’s rays, creating an array of sparkling beams around the seat.
“It’s not going anywhere,” Cato whispers in my ear, laying kisses along my neck until I melt into him. Reaching for my hand, he holds it up and reveals, “I bought this when I was twenty; I don’t know why. I had no one in mind for it, but I knew that when the right woman came along, I’d want her to have it. It would be perfect for her, and she’d wear it with pride. In my head, this mystery woman wouldn’t care that I didn’t spend thousands of dollars on it; she’d simply want to be mine.”
Tilting my head towards him, I whisper, “I do, Daddy.”
A striking smile overtakes his face as he leans down and captivates me with a deep kiss that steals my sanity, making me want to beg for more. “I know you do, pretty girl; that’s why I chose you. I didn’t even think twice. From the moment you bumped into me, I knew it would belong to you. I was yours from that day forward.”
If my heart didn’t already belong to him, it would now. “I love you, Daddy.”
From behind us, a cough draws my attention to a middle-aged man shooting us a disgusted glare.
“If you’d like to keep your tongue, mind your fucking business.” Cato says it so casually, like he’s talking about the weather, and the stranger pales and looks away.
“S-s-s-sorry, D-C-Cato.”
He grips my chin and pulls me closer. “Don’t do that. Fuck him and his assumptions. You call me whatever you fucking like anywhere, anytime. Assholes like him mean nothing.”
“Y-y-yes, D-d-daddy.” I chew the inside of my cheek, loathing the recurrence of the anxiousness that’s lessened, making it easier to speak shorter phrases in front of Cato without it.
“One day that stutter will be a distant memory for you.” His soft touch as he brushes the loose strands of hair away from my face helps relax me.
“I could kill him, snap his neck, and no one would be the wiser,” Zaiden offers helpfully from behind us, next to the man in question. Cato chuckles, and I shake my head. Zaiden sits back and pouts, and I notice the man looking a little sick now. “Take a private jet next time then,” Z mumbles.
The intercom interrupts as the pilot announces our impending arrival in Las Vegas. That stirs up an entirely new cacophony of emotions. I’m not prepared to stay with people I’ve never met. I’ve only agreed because Cato’s children and mother are there, and I’m at least comfortable around them.
Cato and Zaiden will drop me off, stick around for a couple of hours, then fly to Bakersfield for the night. Hopefully, they’ll come to collect us tomorrow, when we’ll drive back home through Anaheim and take the kids to Disneyland.
Landing is bumpier than anticipated, and I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve left nail impressions in Cato’s hand. He’s amused by it, of course, and says I can leave all the marks on him I please. The innuendo is obvious and makes me blush as we disembark the plane, Zaiden right behind us, cracking jokes and keeping everyone a good distance away from us.
With only carry-on bags, we bypass baggage claim and head straight to the exit, where a car awaits us.
“Owen.” Cato shakes the man’s hand as Zaiden takes my bag and stores it in the rear of the SUV. “This is Hester, and you know Z.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss. If you’ll hop in, we can be on our way. Logan and Ella are cooking up a feast for breakfast, and the kids are dying to see you both. Your mother is not pleased about being told to relax this morning.”
“Shit,” Zaiden mutters. “She’ll take that out on me. That woman blames me for anything.”
“Cause it’s normally your fault,” Cato deadpans as he opens the door for me and follows behind as Zaiden gets in the front with Owen.
I’m so engrossed in the Las Vegas sights while we’re driving that I don’t hear half of what’s being said. It’s a whole new world. Even though it’s still relatively early in the morning, the city is alive. In San Diego, everything is slowly waking up, and people are just starting their days. Here, it feels like no one has even gone to sleep yet.
“Here we are,” Owen announces a little while after we’ve reached what feels like the end of the city. Opulent gates open onto a long driveway with a fountain in the center and a happy couple standing on the front steps, two little boys at their feet.
“That’s Theias and Ella. What are the boys’ names, Owen?” Cato asks as we come to a stop.
“Evander and Jonas.” Strong names for what look like strong boys.
“They’ve grown,” Cato says as he exits, holding out a hand for me. “Ella, this guy still holding you hostage?” he innocently flirts as he greets the other woman, who waves him off.
“I don’t need to be a hostage when I’d never leave anyway.” Her eyes roam to me as she comes closer. “Hester, it’s so nice to meet you. Scarlett and Nate have been talking about you non-stop.” I accept her hand but don’t leave Cato’s side.
“N-n-nic t-to m-m-m-meet you.” Clenching my jaw, I try not to let embarrassment overtake me.
Theias steps closer, almost as intimidating as Cato, and the men shake hands, then Theias leans in to say something in Cato’s ear.
“My husband, Theias, don’t mind him. He’s a bit uncivilized, but he’s a big ol’ teddy bear inside.” Ella giggles when the man swats her backside. “It’s true,” she sasses.
“Welcome, Hester, it’s a pleasure to have you. Lucas and Ella have created quite the array of dishes this morning because someone”—he glances down at his wife—“wanted to make a lasting impression in the hopes you’ll come back to visit.” She absolutely beams with love for the man at her side.
