“And TerraVive? How did they take you coming here?”
“I sent Jamie an email about not going to Brazil, and she hasn’t replied yet.”
Which was a white lie. He didn’t need to know that she had received a short email from Jamie stating that she was going to bring that to the board. Hence, she was fucked. She didn’t even tell Ilias either, since he was traveling down to Brazil. The last thing she wanted was to worry him while on a gods-know-how long flight.
“Did you play the ‘my father is about to die’ card?”
“Obviously.” Sofia chuckled, appreciating his ever-dark humor. “Still… contracts aren’t my thing. If needed, I’ll have Gabri check.”
He nodded, then looked at her with a rare intensity. “I’m proud of you, you know that? And ti voglio bene, you know that?”
“I know, Papà. Ti voglio bene anche io.”
He pulled her into a hug, tighter than usual. It was the kind of hug that carved itself into memory.
When the bell rang, they exchanged a glance.
“Were you waiting for someone?” Sofia asked.
“I really hope it’s not the fucking priest. Your mother will be thrilled. I, on the other hand, can’t stand that man and his pitiful face.”
Sofia chuckled. Her father’s atheism had always amused her. They were raised Catholic more for their mother’s tradition than his beliefs. His only religion had always been the sea, and that, she had inherited.
Voices echoed through the open windows. Spanish. Plural. Familiar.
“That voice…” her father’s brows furrowed, surprised. “It can’t be—”
And then the front door opened.
José appeared first, his arms wide, that big contagious smile lighting up his face. Marina followed closely behind him; her cheeks already flushed with warmth.
But Sofia didn’t register them for long. Because suddenly, Alejandra and Carlos were there, side by side, both smiling fondly at her.
And then she saw him. Her mouth went slack for a couple of seconds, her brain short-circuited because, what do you mean he was there and not in Brazil?
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Tawny skin. Those hazel eyes locked onto her with a look that saidI’m exactly where I’m supposed to beaccompanied by a goddamn apologetic smile.
“Ilias?” Her voice was barely a breath. “What thefuckare you all doing here?”
But she was already running, already flying from her father’s side and into Ilias’ arms. He caught her instantly, pulling her up into a bear hug, like gravity had never mattered.
“I’m here, habiba. I’m here.”
And just like that, the dam broke again. Tears poured down her cheeks as he held her tight, as if he could stitch her back together just by keeping her close. The ache in her chestsoftened, not erased, but somehow made bearable by the arms wrapped around her.
At that moment, she didn’t care how he got there. She didn’t care who knew. He came. And that was everything.
48
ILIAS
All Your’n – Tyler Childers
“Why areyou here and not in Brazil?” Sofia finally asked.
The initial shock had passed, replaced now by a more inquisitive look. Her hands on her hips, her gaze sharp. She looked like a goddess with the Mediterranean Sea behind her, powerful and commanding, and Ilias was perfectly fine with being destroyed by her wrath.
“I dropped the USL.”
