Page 57 of A Game of Ruck
But sharp.
Like the air itself thickens—cooling down even in this warm, candlelit room.
The low clink of silverware pauses.
The murmur of conversation shifts direction.
People are turning.
“Annabeth, your father is here,” a woman says.Gray curls, coral lipstick, double strand of pearls—the infamous Aunt Cecilia, I think.
She’s pointing toward the front of the ballroom, where a ripple of polite excitement is moving through the tables.
Annabeth sets her fork down.
“Oh, okay,” she says.She turns to me, a flicker of nervousness in her voice.“You okay meeting my dad?”
“Of course,” I tell her.
I rise first, hold her chair like I was raised right, and take her hand in mine.
Her grip is soft but sure.
Together, we step away from our table and begin weaving through the crowd.
Faces turn to watch us pass.Annabeth lifts her chin and smiles—polite, practiced.
But when we get closer and her eyes find him, something real blooms on her face.
And I see it hit him, too.
So, this is Marco Martinez.
Sharp suit.Expensive watch.Silvered temples and a predator’s posture.
He sees us approaching, and his expression shifts like a scene change in a movie.
First guarded, then curious, and then it softens.Only slightly.
But enough to let me know he loves his daughter when his dark gaze reaches her.
“Mija,” he says, his voice warm.“There you are.You look radiant.”
Something in me eases.A breath I didn’t realize I was holding escapes my chest.
I think it’s pride and gratitude because Annabeth deserves love and respect.And something in me is happy she gets it from her father.
But not only him.Because even though it’s too soon, too fast, too damn crazy—it doesn’t matter, because I know I love her, too.
“Papa, you’re late,” Annabeth says, a mock scolding in her tone.
“Apologies, I had a very important meeting I couldn’t rush.Potential new partner.You can meet the man in a moment, but first, tell me something?”His gaze narrows slightly as it shifts to me.
“What, Papa?”
“Well, I see you’re not alone.So, who are you, young man?”
I open my mouth to answer.
