Page 65 of Law Maker
Kaia turned, smiling so brightly my chest squeezed. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. He was looking forward to meeting you. We’ll grab drinks, maybe dinner.”
“Okay. I’ll wear something nice then.”
Anything on her was perfect. “You’re stunning no matter what,” I said. “But sure—take your time. Come down when you’re ready.”
Ale texted me a list of restaurants while Javi and I waited in the foyer. Fabric rustled, drawing my eyes to the stairs. Kaia descended with a shy smile, smoothing her black miniskirt. My gaze slid lower to the high boots that made her already long legs seem endless. Her hair bounced with each step, and I couldn’t help smiling at how adorable she looked.
“Preciosa,” I whispered when she reached me. Javi smirked, and Kaia hooked her pinkie through mine.
“Where are you going?”
Russell stood in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, glowering at his daughter.
“I’m going to show Javi around. Kaia’s coming with us, if you don’t mind.”
“I mind.” His face hardened into a mask. He turned to her. “You don’t have my permission, Kaia.”
What the fuck?My jaw locked. Before I said something I’d regret, Javi squeezed my forearm in warning.
“We’re just going to dinner, Mr. Demeri,” he said evenly. “It won’t take long.”
“Kaia can have dinner at home. She needs to study.”
“Dad, please.” Kaia’s voice trembled.
I hated it. Hated the way her face crumpled and her shoulders sagged when minutes ago she’d been happy. She was sensitive, and Russell crushed her spirit every chance he got. She studied daily and hardly left the house. What else could she fucking do?
“I’ll look after her and bring her home safe,” I promised.
“Go out with your friend, Asher.” Russell leaned against the frame. “Kaia is staying.”
Dick. My fists curled, tongue itching to spit what I thought of him, but one look at Kaia’s stricken face made me breathe deep instead. “Then we’ll stay—”
“No,” Kaia cut in. “Go. Please. It’s okay. Have fun, guys.”
She waved, then rushed upstairs and slammed her door. Rage scorched my veins, hot as lava. I wanted to chase her, hold her, make it better—but Russell’s gaze pinned me like a guard dog making sure I left. Asshole.
“Let’s go,” I muttered to Javi and bolted for the front door. Outside, I yanked at my hair. “¡Joder!Fuck!”
“You sure he doesn’t know?” Javi’s glance flicked toward the house. “She’s old enough to have dinner in town. What’s his problem?”
What wasn’t his problem? The urge to smash something throbbed in my chest, and I had to count to ten before opening the driver’s door.
“I hate him.” I pressed my forehead to the steering wheel. “Sometimes I think his whole purpose is to drain the joy out of people. I don’t know what the fuck’s wrong with him.”
“I’m sorry.” Javi set a hand on my shoulder, brief but steady.
“Me too.”
I straightened and started the engine. The drive downtown was silent, Kaia’s devastated face stuck in my head. Guilt gnawed at me—she was surely shut in her room again, alone, while her father didn’t give a fuck.
At the restaurant, Javi skimmed the menu. Cozy place, candles, potted plants—exactly Kaia’s style. Russell had ruined what could’ve been a perfect evening yet again. How the hell were we supposed to date if I couldn’t even take her out?
“I think I’ll have the steak,” Javi said. “You?”
I wasn’t hungry, but I couldn’t sulk. He’d flown across an ocean for me. The least I could do was try. That said, I hadn’t so much as glanced at the menu.
