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“It’s okay. This is your family. I hope they’ll be mine one day, too.” She pats my chest as if she can feel my heart thundering.This is the first time she’s spoken about our future in a concrete way, and I nod.

“I hope so, too.”

“My father died in a fire that I was accused and convicted of setting. I was thirteen and pled guilty to avoid the trial and to reduce my sentence. But I didn’t set that fire. I loved my father very, very much. He was all I had in the whole world, and we came because we’re trying to find new evidence to have my case reopened.”

I keep my eyes trained on my father while she speaks and am braced for any sign of disdain. He can think what he wants, but I’m not going to let anyone treat her badly.

“I see” is all he says, his expression neutral until he looks back up at me with tears in his eyes.

I have never, not once in my 37 years of life, seen this man come close to crying. “Dad, are you okay?”

He wipes his eyes and takes a deep breath to compose himself. “I’m very proud of you, son. So proud of you. You know better and have done better than me already.”

I glance at Jules, and concern is etched on her face. “So you’re not upset?”

“That you’re in love with a wonderful woman who has overcome unfathomable circumstances? No. I’m not. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

He walks over to Jules and extends his arms. “Come, daughter. Give me a hug.”

My two worlds collide and lock into place next to each other, and there’s a crack of thunder and rain starts.

“Damn it,” my father says. “I left my radio outside on my porch. I have to go. I’ll be back later with Mimosa. She sends her love.” He dashes out of the house.

“Does he live in Rivers Wilde, too?”

“Yes, but in the Ivy with the cool kids.”

“That story gets easier to tell every time. I can’t believe he responded like that.”

“We’ve all come a long way. You okay?” I ask her, searching her face for signs of strain.

“Almost.”

“What do you need, baby?” I ask, and her smile turns sharp and sensual.

“You between my thighs.”

I lift her into my arms. “Your wish, my command.”

She wraps her arms around my neck while I carry her up the stairs. “I’m so happy right now.”

“Me, too.”

I’m glad we built this day into our trip. She needed this moment of feel good. I just hope we’ll still be feeling this way when the sun sets tomorrow.

CHAPTER 37

BATTLE ROYALE

Omar

“So isthis place like Rivers Wilde?” Jules asks as we turn down Rivers Oaks Blvd from San Felipe.

“Not even close. This isn’t an everybody’s welcome kind of community.”

“The houses are so big.” She gawks at the mansions on both sides of the street. “How canonefamily live in such a big house?”

“Very easily.”