Roja sighed. “There’s less than two weeks of school left.”
“I get you,” I told Hero. “I’ll check in with Storm. We’ve got your backs if you need our help.”
“Appreciate it.”
“We’re ready.” Karma’s voice pulled my attention away from Hero and Roja. She had a hold of Nova’s hand. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Mrs. Fuentes, right Nova?”
“Mhm. Bye, Mrs. Fuentes.” Nova waved, but her eyes remained on me. I wasn’t sure what to make of her staring at me.
If she rejected me, it would slay me. It would be a severe punishment for my actions, one I couldn’t bear and would never accept.
I’d win her over, win her love and be the best damn father she deserved.
19
Karma
The tension in Abe’s truck on the drive back to my house had put my stomach in knots. Nobody had said a word. There wasn’t even music on in the background. Why hadn’t I turned on the radio?
I was a nervous wreck. Had Stein found out where I lived? How did he find out where Nova’s school was at? I had been careful and never went outside of Storm’s territory.
But none of that mattered as the three of us sat in the living room. Nova knew I had something important to talk to her about. She hadn’t asked why Abe was there when I picked her up. However, she had asked if we were bolting again.
I had dreamed about this moment a million times since the day she was born. Not once had I imagined I would be terrified for Nova’s reaction. I wanted her to love Abe instantly. Even if at first she didn’t embrace him, she would eventually. God, I hoped she would. It would break my heart, and I was sure it would devastate him if she shut him out.
We were horrible people. We should’ve thought through our actions, thought about the consequences more carefully. Now our daughter was about to pay for our mistakes and get the shock of her life.
Abe cleared his throat as if telling me to get on with it.
“Mommy, what’s going on?” Nova flitted her gaze between Abe and me. “Is he the person you said was coming to dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Is he making us go to the compound again?”
“No.” I took her hand. “Before I tell you about our guest, what did Stein tell you?” I needed to find out about my ex first. If Nova freaked out about Abe, she might shut down, then I wouldn’t be able to get any information out of her.
“Nothing.”
“Nova, I know you talked to him. What did he say to you? I’m surprised he’s here and that he found your school.”
“Are you angry? I just wanted to see my dad.”
Abe growled low. Nova scowled at him.
“Nova, how did Stein find us?” I tugged on her hand to get her attention back on me.
“I called him.” She whipped her hand away and crossed her arms over her chest, raising her chin defiantly. “For my family tree project.”
“Oh, mercy. How did you call him? When did you call him?” This was worse than I thought. “How did you know his number?”
“I used Jaynee’s phone at the sleepover. I had memorized his number when we were in Branson.”
“Oh shit.” I pressed my hand to my forehead and stared at Abe.
“Daddy wants to tell you he’s sorry. If you talk to him, you can make it better. Then we can be together again.”
“No, Nova. We can’t.”