Page 77 of Desperate Actions

Oh God. She’s actually crying.

Somewhere in the hurricane of emotions, my own mother has joined in the chaos, hugging, sniffling, speaking in half-sentences as they congratulate us and each other like they’re the ones who just got married.

Meanwhile—the men?

They are definitely not hugging.

No, they’re standing a few feet away, engaged in some silent testosterone-filled standoff, eyes locked, bodies tense, like they’re about to throw down right here on the tarmac.

For fuck’s sake.

“Oh my God, will you two stop staring at each other and congratulate this beautiful couple already?!” my mother yells, her patience clearly evaporating.

She reaches behind my father, and I am pretty damn sure she pinches his ass.

Which is also something I never, ever, ever want to see.

Like ever.

“Ouch! Dammit, Koukla,” my dad mutters, his gruff tone betrayed by the way his eyes go soft when they land on her.

And just like I’ve witnessed my entire life, his entire expression changes.

Like he’s completely fucking gone for her.

Andres finally breaks his glare, stepping closer to Sammy, ignoring the still-awkward tension between him and my dad as he looks his son over.

“You okay?”

Sammy nods, but wince-smirks when his dad grabs his chin, tilting his face, examining the damage like a seasoned doctor inspecting a wound.

“You couldn’t duck?” Andres asks, raising a brow.

Sammy grumbles, shifting uncomfortably.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here.”

He sounds chagrined, and I can’t help but stare at the ruddy flush creeping up his cheeks, the way he looks genuinely embarrassed that my dad got the better of him.

He shouldn’t be.

My father is still a powerful man. Fit. Tough as nails.

“Okay, I need an explanation,” Mom interrupts, her arms crossing over her chest.

I feel my stomach drop.

Shit.

“What do you mean?” I try playing dumb.

Mom narrows her eyes.

“How did this happen? When did you two decide to get married?” Ellie adds, eyes twinkling, far too amused.

“Oh! Uh,” I hedge.

My face burns.

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