“You do. Did you find Mom at the hotel?”
“No, she picked me up. We’re back at the hotel room now.”
“It has one of those fancy coffee machines in it,” Mom called from the background.
I couldn’t help but smile. I loved my parents. I really did. Despite what had happened.
“Is…” Hesitation filled Dad’s voice. “Has Lucas been…I mean…is he with you?”
I watched Lucas remove a gallon of what looked like OJ from the fridge. “He is. In every way conceivable.”
“Ronnie.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly at Dad’s exasperation. “I know you think you know who Lucas is, but you don’t. Trust me. Until only a few weeks ago, I thought I knew what he was about as well, but I was wrong. He’s been protecting me, protecting all of us—you, Mom, his mom, for as long as we’ve known him. Without us even knowing it. Apparently, he’s one of the best mixed martial arts fighters in this country. He’s made a lot of money from it.”
“Protecting? How?”
“I will tell you everything, Dad. I promise. But not over the phone. It’s a long conversation and I’m still decompressing from what happened with the judge.”
At the mention of Maureen Ford, Dad let out a groan.
“It’s okay, Dad. The people in Lucas’s life, in my life now? They won’t ever let anything happen to us. You met one of them today. Fluffy. Just wait until you meet Dr. Winchester.”
“I like this doctor. Whoever she is.” I didn’t miss the smidgen of approval in Dad’s voice. I also couldn’t help but grin.
“You know all those times we thought Lucas was out getting into trouble, causing trouble? He wasn’t. Not really. Yeah, he’s scary, and dangerous, but only to those who threaten the people he loves. And he loves me, Dad. More than anyone could comprehend. More than I do, to be honest.”
A ragged, drawn-out sigh sounded through the phone. I had no problem seeing Dad, his hand in his hair, his face scrunched up in one of his Goddamn-this-world-is-crazy frowns. “I just…you’re my little girl, my daughter.” His voice cracked. “And what kind of father would I be if I wasn’t worried for my little girl?”
A hot lump filled my throat. Tears prickled at the backs of my eyes. “A bad one. And you’re not a bad father. Not really.”
“Are you really going to marry him, Veronica?”
“Yes, Dad.” My smile stretched. “I am. Very soon, in fact. As soon as we know what’s going on with the judge and hear word that Fluffy is okay.”
“The judge has been arrested, and Fluffy is okay,” Lucas said from the kitchen, before drinking juice straight from the bottle.
“What?” I blinked, throat tightening. “He’s what?”
“What?” Dad asked.
Lucas lowered the bottle, wiped the back of his hand over his lips, and then smiled at me. “Maureen has been arrested. And Fluffy is okay. They removed the bullet from his shoulder and he checked himself out about…” He shot his watch a quick glance. “Ninety minutes ago. He was muttering something about getting ready for a date with a paramedic when I spoke to him on the phone.”
Returning the bottle to the fridge, he closed the door and stalked towards me, Groot still under one arm, gaze raking over me from head to toe and back again. “So we can get married whenever you like.”
“What?” Dad repeated.
I stared at Lucas. My heart smashed into my throat. “Dad, I’ve got to go. I think I’m about to get married.”
“Ronnie?” Dad’s voice sounded through the phone. “Ronnie?”
“What, Dad?”
“You’re going to be happy, aren’t you?”
Lips curling, Lucas came to a halt directly in front of me. My whole body craved his. Like a force beyond nature. I smiled, gazing up at him. “You have no idea, Dad.”
“I love you, cupcake.”