Page 91 of Bound and Blitzed

Mr. Garcia pushes to his feet and walks over to shake my hand. It’s firm but not nearly as crushing as the first time we met. “Well played. That was a good game.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

“We all cheered for you,” my sister says, standing from the sofa. She kisses my cheek. “Congrats, brother! I’m off to see my fiancé!” She shakes her hips.

I groan while Valentina laughs.

“Come,” Mr. Garcia says, gesturing toward his wife. “Let’s give them some time.”

Valentina arches an eyebrow. “So considerate of you, Papá.”

Mr. Garcia lifts a hand. “I can admit when I’ve made a mistake, Vale.” He looks at me. “You are a good man, and we are lucky to have you in the Garcia family.” He holds out his hand.

I smile and shake it again. “Thank you, Mr. Garcia.” I smirk at my wife. “But Valentina could have done better.”

Mr. Garcia stares at me for a long moment before shaking his head, his mind made up. “No, I don’t think that’s true, Avery.” He clasps my shoulder. “Thank you for saving my daughter’s life.”

From the corner of the room, Valentina’s mouth drops open. Even Paloma looks surprised.

“Come to Spain in the off-season. I will take you to a realfútbolmatch,” he offers.

Valentina snorts.

I laugh. “I’m going to take you up on that, Mr. Garcia.”

“Good. And call me Rueben.” He walks closer to Valentina, bending to kiss the top of her head and to whisper something in Spanish.

Paloma’s eyes soften and she smiles. “He says he’s proud of her.”

Tears gather in Valentina’s eyes, and I know her father’s praise means the world to her. The fact that Rueben gifted her those words as a result of our marriage means everything to me.

I walk them to the front door. “See you tomorrow?”

Paloma nods. “We’re at the hotel just around the corner. Why don’t we bring over breakfast?”

“That sounds good to me,” I say.

Once Valentina’s parents leave, I turn back toward my wife. “How are you feeling, Lena?”

She lifts her arms, and I go willingly, wrapping her in a hug. “Better now that you’re home.”

“You’re eating?”

“Between your mother and mine? Very well.”

“Drinking water?”

She points to the large tumbler on the coffee table. “Raia’s been filling it up for me.”

“Your ankle in pain?”

“Not really,” she promises, moving my chin so she can tip her lips to kiss mine.

I close my eyes as I kiss her back, wanting to take her right here on the couch. God, it’s been too long, and I’ve felt on edge for days. I need the physical connection with Valentina to reassure myself that she’s okay and that we’re solid.

“We need to talk, beautiful,” I murmur.

She shakes her head, brushing her nose against mine. “I think we covered everything that matters.”

---