Page 137 of Devilish Debt
“Mitch,” Garcia immediately croaks out.
“Dad,” escapes me at a volume just above a whisper.
Rather than say a word, Zero starts choking on the last of his cocktail shrimp, prompting me to pound on the back of his chest while Garcia extends his hand in the milk chocolate complexion man’s direction.“We weren’t expecting to see you here.”
Probably weird to be thankful your boyfriend is possibly choking and needs your focus.
But whatevs.
I am.
I haven’t looked that man in the eyes in I don’t know how long.
I damn sure didn’t plan on having to do it tonight of all nights.
The night that’s meant to be honoring and praising me for the fantastic work I’ve done on the salvage, for accomplishing so many firsts for the city as a woman and as a black woman on top of that.
Tonight was supposed to be about getting all the attention Ravencroft assigned me in public, then all the worship I could handle in private.
Seeing him was nowhere on the docket.
Trust me.
I checked.
They cordially shake yet my father investigates, “We?” His dark eyebrows lift in question.“Who exactly iswe, Garcia?”
“Either of us,” I state, post ensuring Zero is actually alright.
Shock doesn’t hesitate to appear in his expression.“You’re…an us?”
“We are,” he states before I can.
“We’re actuallyallan us,” Zero announces and extends an eager palm.“Zero, Sir.”
“Don’t call him sir,” is swiftly sneered.
“Mitch,” Dad politely states during their shaking.
“Nice to meet you!”
“And you, young man.”Once they’re done, his stare finds mine.“And nice toseeyou, Salacia.In person.”
My lack of retorting encourages both men to loving curl themselves around me in a protective fashion.
Fuckme.
I love when they close ranks like this.
They become like pacific octopus.
All tight.
All tenacles.
I’d totally be turned the fuck on if it wasn’t my father we were dealing with.
“I’ve been seeing your name attached to the find and would’ve extended my congratulations via card or letter except you never have a steady address.I would’ve done it by phone call or texts except I didn’t have your number.And email would be a possibility, but I don’t have that either.”
