“Sit for a minute,” Slash said.
Fuck. Fuck me. Why did I do that?
“I… um—” His dad looked at Carrera.
Carrera nodded.
Paul Santini eased into the chair across from her. Despite the grief both families shared, she’d never met him. Seeing father and son, she could see where Carrera got his good looks. A fit man with short, dark hair, Paul Santini had large, brown eyes and a sad smile.
Elsa had told her that when his wife had been murdered, he tried to keep it together for his children. The oldest son had just left for college, but Carrera and his two sisters were still at home. Carrera’s dad started drinking heavily, ended up losing his job. He stopped caring for himself, the house, and the kids. That’s when Elsa got involved. She sent her son to rehab, Carrera’s sisters went to live with their aunt and uncle, and Carrera moved in with her.
When Carrera’s dad got out of rehab, Elsa spent time with him at his house, but he never came by to see her. Slash knew it was because she was there, and Elsa just wanted to protect her.
“Great night for a cruise, huh?” Paul asked.
Slash could feel his uneasiness. This was an awkward situation that Carrera had thrust them into, but she’d do her best to get them through it without things blowing up.
“Perfect,” she replied. “How long have you been a ship’s captain?”
“Seven years. After I got sober, I worked for Carrera as a server, got my captain’s license, and have been on the water ever since.”
She smiled. “It’s very comforting, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I love it. So, what kind of work do you do?”
She couldn’t tell him she was with ALPHA. She wasn’t telling him she was working a case undercover as an exotic dancer, so she fell back on something she hadn’t used in years.
“I work at Luck Marketing,” she replied.
“No kidding,” his dad said. “Did Carrera tell you we’re hiring? I’ve stepped in to help out—Son, did you talk to Gracie?”
“I did, Dad,” Carrera replied. “I told her the job was hers, but she’s on a thirty-day trial.”
His dad’s shoulders fell. “I have to manage the team for another month.”
“Just a week, until she feels comfortable doing it without you.”
His dad smiled. “Thank you.” He slid his gaze to Slash. “Thanks for letting me crash your dinner party. I’ve gotta bring you back to the dock.” He grew silent for an extra beat. “Amanda, I owe you an apology. I blamed you for something that wasn’t your fault. I’m very sorry.”
Overcome with emotion, tears pricked her eyes. “Thank you, Paul.”
Carrera rose and hugged his dad. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I love you, son.”
When Carrera sat back down, his eyes were also wet with emotion. She leaned over, kissed his cheek. “How’d you manage that?”
“When I stopped by the office today, I threatened him within an inch of his life,” he replied.
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about,” she said. “Maybe you do have my back.”
“Damn straight I do,” he replied.
Carrera
The cruise had been perfect,his dad had stepped up for him, and he was ready to get to work at Blue Suit. With their plan in place, he parked at the club. She grabbed the backpack, and left. Watching her disappear into the club had him pushing out of his vehicle.
Yes, Slash could handle herself, but he couldn’t have her back if he was sitting on his ass outside. While she didn’t want it to look like they were a couple, he didn’t give a fuck what that GM thought.
