“Sure, you can help Gina and Santino. Honey,” Mom says as if reminding him of what I said.
“I’m not certain how . . . I could be of assistance.” Dad pats her shoulder.
“Maybe we can all . . . Talk to the person in charge?” Steven lifts a brow. Damn, and I was about to snub him with a formal handshake. I pull the elitist into a brisk hug.
“Thanks, Steven.” I glance back at my dad. “I doubt you would assist if you had the means to.”
“That uneducated buffoon was swinging you around and tossing you into an—”
“Anunmarkedvehicle particularly popular in ambush and abduction cases.” A highly authoritarian voice cuts off my father. Dad’s eyes flutter in annoyance as we all turn around. The president of some sort of “secret society” Dad was inducted to in college gives him an arrogant smile. One that readshecan do what my father is incapable of—the impossible even.
The black man also challenged my father when they were children. The term ‘oldest friend’ has been tossed around, not to be mistaken withbestfriend. Unless the male species is opposed to that term.
“Took you long enough,” I mutter. I drop the crusty blanket and head over to my play uncle, Alexander Castle. Everything about him screams flawless. From the subtle silver in his goatee, the expensive aftershave, the quality of his suit. I’ve never met an African American so influential in my life, and I’ve entertained many black millionaires.
Though I was crawling around intimidated by him as a child and still feel the same level of fright, I hug him. “I asked for you hours ago.”
The federal agents had looked at me, eyebrows raised, as I told them they’d want to send the name up the chain of command.
Alexander plants a kiss on my forehead. “Humph, Galloway, these daughters of yours are as spoiled as ever. Gina, I was told you practically assaulted the alpha in the tactical team who saved—”
“I didn’t need to be saved.”
“Princess, I am not your father,” his tone is as scary as it was when I came up to his knee.
Shit, I cut him off. I shouldn’t have cut him off.
He levels me with an officious frown. “Why should I assist you, Gina?”
“This was all a big misunderstanding,” I grumble, trying to keep my eyes from Gabriella.
“I gathered that when I was awakened on Christmas morning. I am also aware of Santino Morelli’s entire lineage. Namely, theRomans.” His intense stare diverts toward Dad. “Although it’s rather delightful challenging your father’s wishes—”
“Castle,” my father growls.
“Galloway,” Alexander snarls.
My arms deflate. “I’m in love, Uncle Alex.”
He has the same stone-cold expression as my dad. Their love-hate relationship is triggered by those they deem unworthy.
I rub a vulnerable hand over my tight throat. “Geraldine is married to the man she loves. When you all caught up with us before last New Year, you and Aunt Verdie admitted how proud you were of Geraldine and Zane.”
“Ah, yes, Verdena had nothing but wonderful things to say about them.”
“What do you mean, Geraldine’s married?” Dad stumbles over his words.
“Ginaaaa,” my eldest sister tests as an FBI agent moseys by the corridor.
Alexander glares at the inquisitive official, who scurries along, then he grins.
“Galloway, Verdrena sends Geraldine and Zane a spa basket every Christmas. Same as you and the missus. Of course, they’re married.”
“The nicest gift basket I’ve ever seen in my life. Thank you,” Zane mutters.
Dad stares at my mom in shock. She lowers her head. For years, she’s faked oblivious too.
I snap. “Dad, they eloped from the start—married this entire time. Now get over it!” I return my attention to Alexander. “Please, help me. I can tell you the entire story later, but I can’t bear for Santino to be held a moment longer. This summer, Avery’s marrying the man she loves,” I mention his very own daughter. Avery and Donavan were mad about each other before any of us understood the meaning.