Lev rolls his eyes. “It’s my daughter’s wedding; you have other priorities.”
That alone nearly breaks me.
I clear my throat. “How are you feeling?”
He studies me for a long moment, like he’s about to say something brutal. Then he says, “Like I got shot.”
I bark out a laugh.
Lev smirks. “There’s my boy,” he mutters.
I step forward and adjust his tie, because he’s doing it wrong and because I need to do something with my hands that isn’t gripping the memory of losing him.
Then he speaks again, lower. “She okay?”
I nod immediately. “She’s perfect.”
Lev’s eyes narrow. “You’re taking care of her?”
“With everything I have,” I promise.
Lev leans back slightly, nodding once as he accepts it. Then his gaze flicks down my chest. “You’re nervous,” he adds.
“I’m not nervous,” I lie.
Lev hums. “You’re terrified.”
I glare at him, and he smiles like he’s won. “She loves you,” he says, simple and blunt. “And you love her.”
My chest tightens again. “That’s the whole problem,” I mutter.
Lev’s brows lift. “Problem?”
I exhale through my nose, looking away. “She’s everything.”
Lev’s gaze stays on me. Then he reaches out, not as strong as he used to be, and grabs my wrist.
That familiar grip.
The one that used to mean danger. Now it means something else.
Family.
“Listen to me,” he says quietly. “You’re not the man who brought death to my door.” My stomach drops. “You’re the man who brought my daughter back to life.”
My throat burns.
He squeezes my wrist once. “Don’t waste it.”
I swallow hard. “I won’t.”
Lev nods, and then his mouth twitches. “And if you ever make her cry?—”
I chuckle. “Lev, she cries at dog videos.”
“Proud of you,” he murmurs. “Son.”
That nearly takes me out. I look down, blinking hard. “Thank you for everything,” I manage.
