Emilio:
We’re not going anywhere you don’t want to go.
I smile at his response. I love that he wants me to be where I want to be. But a relationship isn’t just about one person. This also isn’t something we need to discuss after one week of dating.
“Why are you smiling like that?” Hudson tries to look over at my phone screen.
I turn it off. “Nothing. Where are you taking me?”
“Home,” he says.
“Hudson,” I groan. I don’t want to go to my parents’ place. I’ve made excuses to avoid it all week.
“Frankie,” he retorts.
“Why?”
“Because I want a drink, and we have the good stuff at home.”
“A drink? Can’t we just go to a bar?” I ask.
“Nope. Why don’t you want to go home, Frankie? If what you say is right and you don’t care what anyone thinks of thiskissing-cousinsthing you have going on, then why are you avoiding Dad?”
“I’m not avoiding him,” I lie.
“Sure you’re not,” Hudson says. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t know and I’m not going to rat you out.”
“Thank you.”
Hudson didn’t lie. He did take me into the games room and poured me a glass of whiskey. It’s the good stuff too, Cinque by the De Bellis family. It comes from Australia. After two glasses, my dad pops into the room.
“Princess, you are a sight for sore eyes.” He smiles as he walks towards me. When my dad engulfs me in a hug, I let myself fall into him. I love my dad’s hugs. He kisses the top of my head. “I’ve missed you. You really should move back home.”
He pulls away and I take a huge breath. “I’m dating Emilio Lopez and I know you don’t approve, but I don’t care. I like him and he’s good to me, so whatever it is you think about us dating, you have to just… not kill him,” I blurt out.
Hudson chuckles beside me. My dad turns to him. “You knew about this?”
“Just found out,” Hudson says.
“I’m going to fucking gut the little prick.” Dad turns to storm out of the room.
“No!” I jump up and chase after him. “You can’t. Daddy, please.”
“Princess, it’s not your fault. Whatever that scumbag did to influence you has turned your usual good judgement to shit. He’s not for you, Frankie.”
“Mom!” I scream at the top of my lungs. I’m going to need reinforcements. “Daddy, he loves me. You have to know that he’d never hurt me. He’s good. You know he is.”
“He’s not good enough for you,” Dad growls—yes, growls.
“Yes, he is. You have no idea how much he’s done for me over the years!”
“What do you meanyears? How long has that little prick been sneaking around behind my back with my daughter?” Dad stares at me.
“We’ve only been dating for a week. Promise. But he’s always been there for me. Times I never told you about because Emilio has always had my back.”
“What’s going on? Oh…” Mom looks from me to Dad. “Louie, you need to calm down.”
“Calm down? Charlotte? You knew? You didn’t think to tell me my daughter was running around with a member of the fucking cartel?” Dad yells.