Page 39 of Night's Fall
He moved to me and lifted his slightly-brighter-than-normal, just-that-teeniest-bit-see-through hand as if he would cup my jaw.
He couldn’t, butIfelt the warmth anyway.
“I would ruin them, if you’d just say the word,” he whispered.
I knew who he was referring to, soIturned my head away.
ButItook note, because, man, couldCatlastab at aPalm, summoningMammonTruelocklike that.
“Your heart is too kind, but they deserve it,” he continued.
I pulled breath into my nose and looked back at him.
“You’re the best,Mr.Truelock.”
“I’m actually not.I’mjust a male.Anda father.Iknow what they did to you…here.”Hemoved as if he was touching my forehead, and then he dropped his hand. “Itisn’t real,Laura.Youare beautiful.Youare kind.Youare immensely talented.You’renot my daughter by blood, butIclaim you by right, andI’mimmensely proud of you.Setaside what they left you, and know,Alekseiis no fool.Hesees whatIsee.”Heswept an arm out to indicate the females behind him. “Whatwe all see, it’s only you who doesn’t see it.”
“I think he just needs a break from all the super-celebrities,”Ishared.
“No one on this planet ever needs a break from basking in the best there is to have, and as such, he isnotdoing that.”
Oh.My.Gods.
I dugMr.Truelockso much.
ButIcouldn’t do this now.Hewas going to make me lose it.
“Don’t make me cry,”Iwarned. “Mymask gave me the perfect look.”
He shot me a fatherly smile, something he did a lot, and something that never failed to move me, and then he pulled hisPalmout his pocket, said, “Enjoytonight,Laura,” and he turned to the gals, “Ladies.”
“Bye,Mr.Truelock,”Gaylesaid.
“Always good to see you,Mr.Truelock,”Moniquesaid.
“See you later,Daddy,”Catsaid. “Andthank you, you’re mega.”
Mr.Truelockwinked at his daughter.
“Disengage,” he said, and blinked out.
“That was dirty dealing,”ItoldCatthe instant he was gone.
“You know, you have a mirror,”Catreturned.
“I knowI’mnot…hard on the eyes,”Iforced out.
“Gods, she can’t even say it,”Gaylemuttered.
Monique sighed.
“Who says, ‘I’mgorgeous’?That’sgross,”Isniped.
“Do you know you’re gorgeous?”Catasked.
Ulk.
I decided not to reply.
