Page 223 of Wild Card

“She made a mistake, albeit a huge one. How long should she be punished? Dad still loves her. He won’t talk about it with me, but I sense it.”

“Make him talk to you.”

Her eyes and nose crinkle as if I’ve suggested something outrageous. “Have you met my dad? He isn’t very forthcoming when he doesn’t want to discuss something.”

“You’re his daughter and he loves you. If he knows it’s important to you, he’ll listen.”

She seems to think about this, her mouth splitting into a smile. “Manipulative mind. Use his affection for me to make him open up?”

“Not manipulation if you play it right.”

“You are exceptionally cunning, Mr. Simms. Even trying to help me reunite my parents.”

“No joke, Stacy isn’t my favorite person, but Sterling is growing on me. Or maybe it’s the wedding vibe going on.”

“Did you go with Ford today to get his tattoo?”

“We all did.”

“Do you think it hurt?”

“Babe, he didn’t even flinch.”

“Do you think that’s something you’d want?”

Her question is laced with apprehension. “You want me to wear a ring, not an issue, but your ink will be under it.”

Her gaze fills with excitement. “I like the ink.”

I hold back telling her I already spoke to our guy at the shop with a design in mind.

The song ends with another roar from the guests as Sayge gives the stage back to the band.

The hair on the back of my neck prickles and my eyes find Robbie and Finn across the room by an exit. My blood runs cold.

I steer Willow to Sterling. “Princess, now’s a good time for that talk.”

Her eyes glitter with amusement. “How about a dance, Dad?”

He glances between us, taking her hand.

“Be back in a few.” I kiss her quickly, taking off in the direction of the bar, and slip into the hall.

Robbie, Finn, James, Major, and Ace are all waiting.

Their grim expressions tell all.

All thoughts of the day vanish, knowing what this means.

“He made contact?”

Robbie gives a nod, his face sharp as stone.

Finn crosses his arms, his voice harsh. “They’re in Mexico, hostages taken. That was yesterday. He’s gone dark.”

Fuck!

Here we go again.

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