Page 182 of Blackwood

Bella turns to me, resting her chin on my shoulder. “Wait, I thought your dad was coming?”

“He is,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket and checking a text. “He’s trying to find a parking spot. Last I heard he was stuck behind a beer truck full of Row boys tailgating like it’s the damn Super Bowl.”

Bella laughs, but there’s a flicker of worry in her eyes. “I’m kind of nervous to meet him.”

“Baby, he’s gonna love you. Trust me.”

She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off before the spiral can start.

“My dad’s the good one,” I say with a grin. “He loves three things in life—classic architecture, high-stakes poker, and sexy women who are smarter than him.”

I shoot her a look, cocky as hell. “You’re all three, baby. Built like a masterpiece, impossible to read, and guaranteed to ruin him.”

She laughs but I can tell she’s still overthinking.

“He’s cool,” I say more gently. “Way cooler than I deserve. Mom couldn’t make it tonight. Something about a meeting with my uncle, which is most likely Bratva code forselling a missile system to a dictator with a yacht.”

Bella snorts, her body relaxing against mine. “Great. Can’t wait for that family dinner.”

“Hey,” I say, curling my arms tighter around her waist. “You’ve survived shootouts, CIA-grade ops, Laing, and Fight Night, baby. You can handle my dad. He’s just… human.”

My thumb drags lazy circles over her thigh. “You weren’t this nervous meeting Cade’s parents.”

“That’s because she met my parents when she was a teenager,” Cade says, sipping his beer. “Back before she was dancing in outfits that could get her arrested in half the country.”

He shoots her a look. “Speaking of getting arrested, remember when you and Ellieaccidentallyended up in Canada?”

Bella bites her lip, trying not to laugh. “It was supposed to be a road trip to Buffalo.”

I raise a brow, grinning. “You crossed into Canada by accident, baby?”

“They didn’t even realize until customs had them detained,” Cade says, shaking his head. “Two teenage girls, zero map skills, and a trunk full of snacks like they were prepping for a zombie apocalypse.”

Bella shrugs, pure mischief. “We made it back.”

“Barely,” Cade says. “My parents were losing their minds and you were like, ‘but the maple syrup was worth it.’”

“Zeke almost killed me that weekend.”

Two quick beeps crackle in our ears.Walkies live.

Knox’s voice comes through, crisp and controlled. “Mic check, everyone.”

“Hugh?”

“Everything’s good up here in the booth, Knox,”Hugh replies, already half distracted by his soundboard.

“Javi?”

“Claro, mi amor. And if anyone ruins my formation tonight, I swear to God, I’ll retire mid-routine.”

Knox snorts. “Lex?”

“Present, Bestie.”

“Cade?”

“All good.”