I peered over at Austin, getting a shrug in response.
“Fuck if I know.”
Then there was a knock on the front door, and Izzy was out of James’s arms, screaming, “I’ll get it!” as she ran to answer, with James stalking behind her.
“Those two are always up to something,” Gigi said to me as she sat between Pike’s legs on the floor. “Never trust them.”
“Oh, boy,” I whispered, holding my stomach again out of hunger and a little bit of fear.
“They’re not mean, but you never know what’s going to happen when Izzy makes a plan.”
“Great,” I muttered. “Well, at least it’s not an assassin coming to get us all.”
Austin laughed, his hand still on my knee. I leaned to the right, resting my side against his. We were comfortable together, something I’d never experienced with anyone else before. Not this level of comfort so quickly, and never without a deep physical relationship.
“Look who came to visit,” Izzy said, marching into the living room with James’s tall frame behind her.
Austin and I glanced up, me blinking because I couldn’t see anyone else except the two of them, and I didn’t know anyone else around here.
But then they stepped to the side, and a man I never expected to see here, or for a long time, stood in the middle of the Gallos’ living room.
“Daddy?” I gasped, jumping up from the couch and running toward my dad like I hadn’t seen him in years.
Two days ago, we’d said our goodbyes. Two days ago, I’d cried, not knowing when I’d see him again.
His arms were around me before I was close enough to wrap mine around him. “Hey, sweetheart. James called, and I was still in Florida. I took a chopper down here to visit and share a meal before heading back to Virginia. I couldn’t leave without seeing you again.”
Tears formed in my eyes as I hugged my dad, happy to see him and completely surprised. “I just can’t believe you’re here.” My dad kissed the top of my head before I pulled away, wiping at my eyes. “I’m sure you were busy.”
“Never too busy for you.” My dad’s eyes moved to Austin, giving him a quick nod. “I heard this was the one meal I couldn’t miss or I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”
I laughed, having been told the same thing. “I’m happy you’re here, Dad.”
“Never imagined I’d get a call from James about something other than business, but this was a welcome surprise.”
I smiled up at him, beaming with pride. “I didn’t know you had ties to Austin’s family.”
“I found out yesterday when I got the report on Austin, but you didn’t tell me you were going home with him.”
I glanced down, hiding my eyes. “Well.” I shrugged. “I didn’t think it was important.”
“You’re grown, Mak. You can do what you want. You know what’s safe and isn’t. I trust you and your judgment.”
I lifted my head, peering up at my dad. “I’m always safe.”
“I taught you how to protect yourself. I’m sure if Austin was an asshole, you’d deal with him.”
I laughed. “I may have shown him a few moves already.”
My dad’s eyebrows furrowed as his eyes darted to Austin. “You did?”
“I swear I did nothing. We were sparring,” Austin replied with his hands in the air. “I never touched her.”
“Mark, want a drink?” James asked, changing the subject.
Dad nodded. “I’ll take a beer if you have it.”
“Join me on the lanai for a chat too.” James motioned toward the sliding glass doors off the living room. “I’ll grab the beers. Thomas will be joining us.”
