Page 65 of A Game of Ruck
Marco holds out his hand.
“I’m a father, Luca.And if you’re serious about my little girl.If you’re the man who truly deserves her?Then I’m going to make damn sure you prove it.”
“I am the only man for her, sir.I swear it.”
I take his hand, shake it firmly.
It’s a start.
“Shit.I need to book a flight—” I mutter, reaching for my phone like a man possessed.
“Don’t bother.”Marco lifts a hand like he’s flagging a waiter.“Arnold, see to it Mr.Warden’s luggage is onboard and that we’re ready to fly within the half-hour.”
He calls me Warden.
Not Moretti.
And right then, my esteem and respect triple for this man.
“Yes, sir,” Arnold says, already pulling out his phone and moving with military precision.
I just stand there.Blinking.
My mouth probably hanging open like an idiot.
Marco Martinez—tech mogul, father of the only woman I’ve ever loved—just chartered a flight for me like it’s nothing.
Like it’s ordering Uber Eats on a Tuesday.
He shrugs when I gape at him.“Didn’t I mention I have a jet on standby?”
No.He definitely didn’t.
“Rich people, man,” I mutter, still reeling.
“Hey.”He gives me a knowing look.“I’m not doing this for you.I’m doing it for her.You break her heart again, and I’ll bury you in a fucking hole in the Mexican desert so deep in that blistering ground, it will make Hell feel like it has air conditioning.”
“Fair,” I say, nodding.“But I’m not going to break her heart.Not now.Not ever.”
But if Annabeth’s really coming to Consequence?
I can’t stand here peacocking.I have shit to do.
I’ve only got five days to prove I’m not just some tattooed rugby player with a fake last name and daddy issues the size of Ogre’s Jersey.
I’ve got five days to get my ass in gear and show her what it means to be loved by a man who doesn’t run.
Because I don’t.Not anymore.
And if I’m going to convince her this thing between us is real?
If I want her to walk back into my arms without doubt or fear?
Then it has to be adamn goodplan.
The fucking best.
Which means I’m going to need help.
