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“Hello.”

“Word of advice.” She scanned my attire and shook her head while glaring at Dev. “Don’t give in so easily. Make him work for it. How are you ever going to get your way if you don’t leave him wanting on occasion? How do you think the senator and I made it through forty years?”

“Mom, people can hear you.” Jacinta sounded scandalized as she approached.

“Seriously,” Tyler added. “The last thing I want to think of is you and Dad having sex.”

“You can’t possibly think the tooth fairy brought you into existence?”

Tyler groaned. “Stork, Mom, not tooth fairy.”

“Same difference, they’re both made up. The point I was trying to make is, don’t put out unless Devin makes it worth your while.”

“I do, Mom. That’s why she’s standing here with a well-satisfied sex glow.”

“Devin, honey.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Shut up.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I loved this woman. She could make any situation fun.

I grinned as the limo door opened, ready to hug my brother, but immediately my smile vanished and tears filled my eyes.

“Mommy.”

Chapter Sixteen

I ran to the car,hugging the beautiful woman with long black hair and kind eyes who stepped out.

“Mari Dikri, I missed you so much.” She hugged me so tight that I couldn’t help but let the tears free. Five years without seeing her, without her hugs or her little quirks that made me feel loved.

She smelled of jasmine and lilies, the scent I associated with love and my childhood.

“Oh, Mommy. I’m so happy you’re here.” I held on to her and cried for the next few minutes, not caring if I was making a spectacle of myself in front of all the guests.

Finally, when we pulled apart, I glanced behind me and found both Carol and Jacinta dabbing at their eyes.

“Do I get any love or does Mommy get to hog you?”

I stepped out of Mommy’s arms and turned toward my brother, but noticed my father standing behind Ashur.

I peeked at Dev, who gave me a nod of encouragement.

“Ash,” I whispered and let him engulf me in his giant arms. “Thank you.”

“It wasn’t me. The man behind you is the reason she’s here. The reason they’re both here.”

I looked into Dev’s eyes. This was what he’d been doing in Houston. Not meeting with potential donors. He was trying to convince my parents to come see me. I couldn’t imagine what it was like for Devin to stand in front of my father after all the hell Papa put us through.

I love you, I mouthed to him, making him smile at me.

I stepped out of Ashur’s arms and approached my father.

“Papa.”