My mum couldn’t argue, and she knew it. She was all for appearances, and this stranger was not about to receive her anger.
Even if she was bristling.
And I loved Zolt for it. I didn’t need protecting, but I was glad he was there to offer it.
“The video will be playing shortly,” Mum said through gritted teeth. “Ensure you’re there for it.”
I nodded, and my family walked out.
Everly and my mum weren’t exactly the best of friends; seeing them on the same side would usually fill me with happiness.
But not when that side was opposite mine. Normally, I could do no wrong. Usually, they fought for me, notagainst me.
Zolt placed his hands on my shoulders. “You okay?”
I nodded.
“Did I go too far?”
I cocked my head from one side to the other. “Maybe. You don’t have to do that for me.”
“I didn’t know where the line was.” He stroked the hollow of my neck with his thumb. “Tell me everything you want from me.”
Your last name? Your kids?
“If you want me to stand here and let you handle it, say. You want me to stand up for you? Done. You want me to be polite or passive-aggressive? Easy. You want me to take you from here? I already know where we’re going.”
I exhaled deeply, knowing that no matter what, I was safe in his orbit. Their words might hurt, and I wasn’t above being hurt by them, but he was there to comfort the ache.
“I don’t want to miss the video,” I said quietly.
“Then we won’t.”
And he took my hand, and we went to sit in our seats again, not looking at my mother or sister. A projector had been put on, and the orchestra stopped playing for a minute for the montage of clips to play. My sister and Luca filmed theirs together, thanking him for bringing them together. My youngest brother spoke from the heart, my middle brother thought he was too cool for such a thing, but he even ended his video with a quick, mumbled, “I love you, Dad.”
And mine started in French, telling him how he’d given me multiple languages, a backdrop to practice them all in, and the travel to enjoy different cultures and worlds. But, mostly, he taught me how to show passion and love.
Zolt squeezed my thigh.
Everly caught the movement; her lips parted, and her shocked eyes drew up to mine.
And I knew I was in trouble.
20
Chapter 20
Fia
The press conference was tying my stomach in knots.
The Austrian conference room was packed with chairs, all facing two long tables draped in white. Each seat at the tables was marked with a name card.
My name was at the end,thank god.The only thing positive out of all of this was that I was the least important person here.
But I was still in the line of one of the four cameras.
The worst part?If Zolt was asked anything, I had to do the talking. He was under strict orders not to risk English.
