Page 66 of Text Me, Take Me

“Newsflash, Evie. I’d do anything for you. Will Meatball be okay?”

She lights up for a moment. “I love that you asked that. And yeah, he’ll be okay as long we’re not gone too long.”

“I’ll crack the window and turn on the AC.”

“Good thinking.”

I climb from the car and walk around to her side, meaning to open the door for her. But she’s already climbing out, pure independence. Together, we walk toward the diner. A few of the men nod at me, and I nod back, recognizing them from my youth.

Father is already watching us when we walk in. Not with suspicion. Nor the sharp-eyed coldness I’ve seen him turn on rivals, allies, even me.

I hold the door open for Evie. My hand finds the small of her back instinctively. Her presence steadies me. Seeing Father again is rocking my confidence, truth be told.

He stands before we even reach the booth.

That nearly knocks the breath out of me. He’s never stood for anyone. But he’s on his feet now, gray suit crisp, silver hair neat, face open in a way I don’t remember seeing on his tough face.

“Dom.” His voice is low, warm. A different tone than the usual. “You look good.”

“Father,” I reply, giving him a nod. My chest tightens when his hand clasps my shoulder, firm and steady, before turning to Evie.

“And you must be Evie,” he says, softer now. “It’s good to meet you.”

Evie steps forward, extending her hand. “Thank you for making time for us.”

“I’d clear a week for you two if you needed it,” he says with a smile that reaches his eyes. “Sit, sit.”

We slide into the booth. I let Evie take the inside seat, tucking in next to her.

He watches us both for a long moment. Not saying anything. Just taking us in.

“You remind me of Dom’s mother,” he says quietly.

That’s not the direction I expected.

“The way you look at her,” he adds. “I used to look at your mother like that. Like the world stopped spinning when she smiled.”

Evie glances at me, her hand finding mine beneath the table.

He chuckles and leans back. “I didn’t ask you here for strategy. I wanted to meet the woman who’s made my son sound like he’s finally found something worth living for.”

“We only had a short phone call to arrange this meeting,” I murmur.

“And that was enough. I haven’t heard your voice in years… and suddenly, it was like a weight had been lifted. You weren’t the usual, Dom.”

“You make it sound like I’ve been angry since birth.”

“You were,” he says, smiling again. “I didn’t help it. I was too busy grooming you to take over a life you never asked for.”

I swallow hard. I didn’t expect this, and it’s a lot to take in. “You were trying to protect me. That was always your logic. Groom me for the Family so that when our enemies came for me, I was ready. That’s what you said.”

Under the table, Evie presses down on my hand, silently warning me to calm down.

“I know. And I was wrong.” His voice drops, honest in a way that feels foreign coming from him. “I should’ve been more of a father. Less of a don. And when you walked away, I told myself I didn’t blame you, but the truth is… I did. Because I missed you. But I was also proud. I just didn’t know how to say it.”

He shifts his gaze to Evie. “But then you called, told me you’d found a girl, and now it all makes sense. The leaving. The walls you built. You weren’t running. You were waiting.”

“For what?” Evie asks.

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