“We were always going to find each other,” I whispered, finishing his sentence.
“And I’m glad we found each other sooner,” he said. “So I can spend more time with you.”
The moment was interrupted by a beep on his phone, reminding him we had to leave. There was something important he needed to show me, and there was a time limit on it, so we were rushed right out of the apartment and into the fancy car, which Ronnie was still driving, and still apologizing to Santo about what happened to me. I knew it wasn’t his fault at all, it wasmine, for having a disaster of an apartment.
We reached the construction offices but we didn’t go inside.
“This is something we’ve got to see from this level,” Daddy Santo said, taking my hand. We walked around the building and across to the walkway up and down the pier. Ronnie was steps behind us, looking menacing. Daddy took my hand and pointed to the import harbor dock. “That’s what we’re here to see. Plus, this is where I tossed my dad’s ashes. So in a way, you’re getting to meet him too.”
I watched, feeling heat rise around my collar. It was spring, and yet my body was feeling like summer. “Can I be scared?” I asked in a whisper.
“Yes, but no, you’ve got no reason to be scared,” he said. “Just keep watch. Look.”
A medium-sized boat came in, docked with a couple of containers on it. And on the side of the boat, “Cordello” was written in a fancy script. I continued to watch, my eyes scanning everything to see what it was I was supposed to be looking for—and feeling like a failure for not understanding it.
“You can see them, right?” he asked, as I was faced with the five men who’d kidnapped me, including Locke. I froze, but they weren’t looking at us, they were boarding the boat.
“Are you getting them to leave?” I asked.
He nodded. “Something more permanent,” he said. “I made a promise to you.” He took my head and kissed it. “And now, you need to watch and make sure you see everything.”
My gut felt heavy, like the Eggos I’d eaten had become stones. “Everything.”
It happened all at once. There was a small explosion on the ship—it boomed, splitting the ship in two, and everything sank, including the men on board. I stared at the chaos unfolding, and then I saw Locke, standing right there on the pier, staring back at us.
“He’s still alive,” I said.
Daddy wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “I can’t create an all out war, not just yet,” he said, kissing my cheek. “But trust me, Locke will get what’s coming for him.” He kissed me again, harder, like he was proving his love in strength. “And if he ever tries touching you again, then we’ll go nuclear.”
I let out a giggle. It was from the nerves, I couldn’t really help it.
This was a little fun. It felt powerful. “Good,” I said.
“Now, let’s get upstairs and watch the police arrive,” he said. “My cousin, if he knows his worth to the family, will find the drug shipments in that boat, and he’ll be able to make a casefor putting them in prison. Locke might never see daylight again, if we’re lucky.”
It really was like watching a movie. We had popcorn. We had sodas. And we had floor-to-ceiling window views as we watched the boat split apart and sink. The smoke from the fires spiraled. The masterpiece of it all was seeing Locke in cuffs, and for a moment, I placed a hand around my bracelet. At least mine was for protection.
“Now, this doesn’t mean you need to make a list of people who’ve wronged you,” Daddy said, chuckling. “But if anyone does, in future, I’ll teach you how to get revenge while keeping your hands clean.”
I didn’t know if that was what I wanted, but it made me excited either way.
Life was looking up. Finally. I was outside, in the office, and I didn’t quite fear for my life.
Everything felt so completely natural with him, from playing to living. I’d found my perfect match, my Daddy, and the love of my life. I couldn’t ask for anything else in this world—except maybe a proposal, but it was too soon, right?
Right?
Wink.
Continue reading for the epilogue.
EPILOGUE
Three Months Later
ISAIAH
I was overseeing the LGBTQ center project, and it was all coming together. I’d built up some buzz for it, and we were rehabbing the Bianchi name from a family that shook businesses down for protection money. I knew it wasn’t because of me, but I think I was helping them become less criminal and more legal business—even if they were still a little shady.
