Page 29 of Facing the Music

He sheds his gloves, brows furrowed as he moves farther in before whirling around and smacking me across the face. “I’msurprised you even passed this semester but it’s obvious now why your grades were so low. Who’s been in here, son? And don’t tell me no one.” He reaches around one of the chairs and produces a thong that I must have missed while cleaning.

It’s not my fault that we all have healthy sexual appetites.

He dangles the shard of lace on the edge of a pen before chucking it back on the floor. “Tell me who could have possibly stolen your attention. I hope it’s not that lady I’ve been hearing about in the news. What was her name? Tia? Tia Fraser, yes, her. Her mother is a fucking disaster, going to jail for endangering studentsandstalking her own daughter.”

I can’t lie to this man. Lying will only set me down a path that will have me packing myself into his car. “Yes, I’m dating Tia.”

“I should have known that you would pick the mere riffraff off the street to be at your side. You do know that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, right? Because I’ve heard enough about her involvement with the little fight ring no one was supposed to know about. Sure, it’s all gone now and everyone can go on about their merry way but that doesn’t mean I won’t beat that streak out of you.” He raises his hand and my shoulders drop as I realize that I’ve only put myself in a situation I can’t get out of.

That is, until Paval strolls through the door and stands right in front of my father before turning to face me, ignoring the man of my nightmares. “You were acting weird this morning. Was it because of him? I told you I would protect you and you do this by yourself?”

I have to hold back a laugh because now is not the time to piss off my father any more than he is. “Pav, I can handle this.”

“And you shouldn’t have to.” He grabs my hand and drags it to his lips before facing my father. “You’re the man that beats my boyfriend. Why are you here?”

I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the shocked expression on my father’s face. He clears his throat, pointing atwhere our hands are joined. “What is that? Isn’t my son dating Tia?”

“Both of us and you shouldn’t be here. He’s not going with you.”

This is either going to turn out very bad or be one stroke of luck. “You don’t get to dictate what happens to my son. Who do you even think you are? I’ve paid for many of the buildings and activities on campus. You’re just a student.”

“I’m Paval Kolas.”

He says it so matter-of-factly and in certain circles, his last name holds way more weight than it should. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of stories but the adventurous escapades those men went on is terrifying to learn about. My father steps back, several emotions working through his face. “Kolas? Like Valentyn Kolas? That’s impossible.” I watch fear become the dominant emotion, my father reaching back for the door. “You’ve got until graduation. That’s it, Cairo.”

When he disappears, I meet Paval’s gaze in confusion. “What the fuck was that?”

“I knew you were—”

“Not that.” I should have known that Paval would have caught on to my strange behavior after studying me incessantly for the last several weeks. Having him try and predict my every move has been odd at best but endearing at the same time. I’ve gotten used to it and more often than not, he’s been there where I needed him to. Like now. “Paval, I’m talking about the fact that my father basically shit his pants when you told him your name.”

“Oh, that! I talked to my fathers to see if they could get you a job—before the gym and they couldn’t do anything in their security business but they looked up your dad and apparently they all run in the same circles. Or did? Your father hired one of my dad’s friends and the relationship fizzled out. Your father isdue on a payment or something. I stopped listening. I just knew my last name would mean something to him.”

A laugh bubbles up from my throat as I drag him into a kiss. “That’s very sweet but he’s still got me by the balls after graduation.”

“No, not really. I might have called the friend and gave him your dad’s address.” He grins like he’s won the fucking lottery but Paval has no idea what he’s just done for me. I feel like I’ve been uncuffed from a world I never wanted to be in. Hell, I fucking hate business but I’ll finish the degree and then jump into that gym with everything I have.

“You’re precious, you know that, Paval?”

“You keep telling me that.”

“And I’ll keep saying it, every goddamn day.”

Chapter twenty-eight

Epilogue - A year later

PAVAL

I ride the elevator to the penthouse the three of us decided to rent, my fathers telling me time and time again that money would be spent better buying a property. It might be, but the three of us have moved two times in the last six months, still trying to figure out what works best. As of now, the private elevator and entrance to our newest place have given us the luxury we’ve been seeking.

Mostly because a lawyer, a security consultant, and a local fighter in one relationship spark enough conversation as it is. Tia nearly lost her job when her kiss with Cairo went viral, one of the partners at her firm believing that he was bringing down their image. After they learned who Cairo was, however, they suddenly wanted to invite him to lunch so that he’d hire them as their legal counsel.

It didn’t happen.

I step inside the apartment, chuckling as the smell of a fresh roast hits me in the face. None of us are experts at cooking but I know that aroma anywhere. Which means that my fathers dropped off dinner because they always think we’re going to starve.

Cairo peeks his head out of the kitchen, holding a spatula, a stupid grin on his face. “Was wondering when you’d get home. I was starting to get cold.” A frown takes over my face as I glance over at the thermostat. It’s nearly 70 degrees in here.

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