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“Mr. Galloway,” I cut in, placing Gina down with one hand. “Respectfully, you raised a brilliant, gorgeous daughter.”
He rolls his eyes. “Yes. I know. I’m not referring to you at all. Gina, what promises did you make with Castle?”
“Dad, you can go home. I’m spending the rest of Christmas with Santino. And Geraldine and Zane. Santi.” She looks up at me. “Would you like to go to Jamaica?”
“I’ve got that room ready for you, partner,” Zane says from next to a rental car.
I nod to him. “Yes.” I kiss her.
Her dad snarls, “Gina, what did you promise Alexander?!”
“That’s between him and I,and Donavan. Alex said not to tell Avery.” She winks. “Bye—”
“Gina, please?” Mr. Galloway huffs. “Santino, I’ll admit . . .”
Her father blubbers silently for a few beats. “When I saw the video of you grabbing my daughter into a van—that was the scariest moment of my entire life.”
“Dad, Santi didn’t hurt . . .”
I place a hand on Gina’s shoulder, kneading it softly. “I would never intentionally hurt Gina. You have my word that night was out of character for me.”
Mr. Galloway nods. “I have the feeling that the middledaughter of minereturned to her old antics. Playing with people’s lives. I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on rehab for Gabriella in the past. Cocaine and alcohol,” he scoffs. “Rich people issues were once the bane of my existence prior to her marriage. She admitted having her old friends make some sort of video to your mom, Gina. I presume it was to prove that you could do better. Ahem.”
My women’s fingers reach for mine as we continue to listen.
“Gabby also said something about drugs. Gina, you’ll be happy to know, your mother was the only rational person this entire time.” His tensed face contours into a smile for a few beats. “Gina, your intelligence comes from your mother. However, Mr. Morelli, Gabby’s entire scheme leads me to believe a conversation with your employer is necessary. I’ll clear up the confusion.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Gina squeezes my palm. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Now, back to Alexander.” Her father holds his ground. “He isnota friend of mine. I’ve said it to his face.”
“Heh,” Gina begins. “You joke like that about a lot of your friends, while smoking cigars, Dad. Nevertheless, I get it. Uncle Alex has something on you.”
Mr. Galloway’s eyes lower and he clears his throat. “Nothing too bad, I assure you. Depending on the level of dirtCastlehas, that indicates how much he hates a person. If we’re being technical, I am his fondest associate. Do I need to make him my enemy?”
Gina’s tiny fingers slide away from mine, she steps over to her father and hugs him. “I can handle Uncle Alex, okay . . . okay? Dad, don’t give me that look. Your obstinacy is the reason why I’m not spending another moment of Christmas with you.”
“Come to the house for a few minutes. I left your gift.” He tries, doting on her with an affection that I’ve never seen.
“Nope. Hold onto it for next Christmas.” With a silly smile on her face, Gina backs away from him. “I’ll handle Uncle Alex and see you in the office in the New Year.”
“But Gina . . .” he calls after.
Gina winks at me. “Better yet, make it February—end of February there’s a holiday. Bye, Daddy!”
I clear my throat as I follow Gina’s ass.
“Goodbye, Dad,”she whispers to me. “How does that sound?”
“Much better.”
As Geraldine and Zane are waiting for us in their car, and her father wriggles his jaw near the SUV, I clasp Gina’s hand. “Who are the people he’s talking about?”
“Alexander Castle, or Uncle Alex. I mentioned him to you a while back. My play uncle. His daughter is marrying someone beneath them. Though, the two have been in love their entire lives. I have to do a bit of recon during the wedding and tell Alex anything concerning.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
