“Seriously?”
She nodded. Aunt Trina was a woman of many talents and she’d thought me plenty of things that made me forget about the bullying from my mother or the wankers at school. Some of the stuff we did, made me feel so grown up.
“That will be awesome.” I grinned.
“Good. Go wash your face and we can start making plans. We can start with a little tour first. What do you—”
“Are you fucking kidding,” the sudden boom of man’s voice cut her off and had me sitting up right, my surprised look meeting my aunt’s. We both stood then rushed to the door. “You sold my fucking daughter!”
“Oh, my God.” I covered my mouth with both hands to stop my excited scream, my eyes wide. “Dad’s here?” I whisper shouted, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. Quickly, my feet carried me down the stairs with my aunt on my tail.
“This is a new low even for you, Sandra,” dad barked as I entered the kitchen.
Mother stood at the kitchen, her face neither contrite or anger before her eyes levelled a glare on me. “Did you call him? I warned—”
“Shut the fuck up. One more word out of you and I’ll have you thrown in prison no matter the circumstances,” Dad tore into her as he swivelled to face me. “Sweetheart.” He opened his arms and I all but barrelled into his chest. “Oh, God, Levana, I missed you.” He kissed the top of my head, over and over.
The sobs that had dried up a moment ago, burst through once more. “I missed you too.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding on for dear life in case he disappeared again.
He leaned back to cup my face. “God, you’ve grown into such a beautiful woman.” He kissed my brow. “Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”
“No, dad. I just want to forget all about that now. How are you here?” I asked, my excited gaze darting quickly to my mother. She looked ready to kill someone.
“It doesn’t matter now.” His thumb brushed my cheek lightly. “I’m here and you’re coming back to the States with me.”
“Really—”
I was cut off by my mother’s bark, “how dare you come into my house—”
Dad swung away from me, anger bouncing of his stiff shoulders. “Say one more fucking word, Sandra and I will nail your ass to this floor. My daughters are coming with me, and no fucking court is going to stop me, I don’t care what leverage you use,” he roared.
“Sandra,” Aunt Trina who’d been standing one side watching everyone, took a step toward my mother. “I think you should let this one go. Dean is right. He will have a strong case if this goes to trial.” I caught her glance as she smiled at my father, and I wondered if she’d called him and told him what happened.
“Fine,” my mother huffed. “What about Eliana and all her pageants—”
“My daughter is fourteen. She has plenty of time if she wants to take up modelling and only if she wants to.” Dad’s no-nonsense tone dared her to challenge him.
“What about school and visas?” I could tell she was trying every possible avenue to fight my father on this, and I prayed he won.
“It’s all been taking care off. I’ve been planning this for years, Sandra. I didn’t move on with my life just because you said stay away from my kids.” He slipped an arm around me as he spoke.” I made friends in high places. The second I knew I was coming here, I put my plans in motion. So don’t sweat, it’s all covered. My children are coming with me and that’s final.”
“Are you serious?”
We both turned to find Eliana at the door, her smile just about cracking her face. She’d gone to a piano lesson this morning.
“Eli, baby.” He opened his arms and she flew into him. “God, you’ve grown into a beautiful girl too.” He rubbed her back and with his eyes on me, he winked.
Finally, my life was starting to look promising. My loving father was back in my life.
