Page 89 of Operation Annulment
“The time for fixin’ it is long gone?—”
“I still have some of it left!” Nan interjects. “There was a lot—I put it in savings. I thought if I let it earn some interest, it’d be like it never happened. Please…”
My stomach churns, watching my grandparents beg for their lives. “Don’t.”
He jerks his head back and looks down at me in surprise. “Katy, after what they put you and Dakota through?”
“It’s over now. Let it go.” I take a deep breath. “Daddy… please.”
I try not to think about how long it’s been since I last said his name—try not to think of the years we’ve lost because of his lifestyle.
He freezes at the term, nostrils flaring as he stares down at me. I see the war raging in his eyes—the battle between ruthless biker and the man who had been my safe place for the first six years of my life.
“They’re about to start,” Little Ricky announces, popping his head around the corner.
I squeeze my father’s arm, praying he makes a decision he can live with.
Little Ricky escorts me back to the event center, practically bouncing with excitement. “You ready for this, Hail Mary?”
I force a smile. “Sure. Let’s just hope it lasts.”
He stops in his tracks. “Why would you say that? Escúchame—what Caparina and Big Guy have is the real thing. He’d do anything for her and vice versa. For all your education, you don’t know a lot about love. It makes me sad for you.”
“And what would you know about love?” I snap. “Please enlighten me.”
His eyes go dark with pain, and I regret asking. “I was in love before. What’s with the face? Are you surprised?”
I nod dumbly.
“You think you’re an expert on love because you got burned, but you’re not. When it’s the real deal, nothing can stand in the way of it. Now, let’s go. I ain’t about to get my ass chewed out by Caparina because you’re late.”
I tighten my grip on his bicep. “I’m sorry.”
He squeezes me back. “Apology accepted. You and Nate will figure things out—you just need to stop gettin’ in the way of it first. Love can’t be neat and tidy?—”
“Well, it wasn’t love,” I quickly interject. “It was just?—”
He presses a finger to my lips. “Shhh… you’re not the love expert, remember? So, you know nada. Okay, good talk.”
When the music starts, I can’t help but smile. It isn’t traditional, making it perfect for my sister.
Zane stands like a statue, his hands clasped in front of his body, watching the back of the room with an expectant smile. Maybe Little Ricky’s right—maybe they are perfect for each other, and I couldn’t see it because of my own broken heart.
After the ceremony, I’ll apologize to both of them.
The doors open, and my smile fades when I realize it isn’t my sister coming down the aisle but Little Ricky. People begin murmuring when he reaches Zane’s side.
Zane leans down to hear him before stiffening in response. Then he turns to me and growls, “What the fuck did you do, Kate?”
A collective gasp works through the room, and my cheeks heat.
“Nothing!” I turn to Ava. “Was she fine when you left?”
The bridesmaid frowns. “She just said she needed a few minutes alone. What’s going on?”
“She’s gone,” Zane says, almost too quietly to hear.
“Did she mention anything to you that would help us figure out where she is?” Little Ricky directs the question at me.
