TIGERLILLY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter FORTY FOUR

Frankie Xiao 

… The play date … 

River clenches the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white when he pulls up outside the downtown apartment, reluctant to get out of the car he glances over at me for reassurance.. "Any chance ye' can predict how all this is gonna go?" 

I smile with sincerity, taking his hand.. I am so certain that the animosity he shares with Amberley can be overcome.. River is so good, it is impossible for me to believe that Amberley could hate him..  "Yǐdébàoyuàn, my sweetheart.. Kindness earns kindness.."

He frowns in obvious discomfort.. "And what about stupidity? What'll that earn me?” He glances over his shoulder into the backseat where Lovey is strapped safely into her carry capsule, concern crinkling around the edges of his clover coloured eyes.. “'Cause I feel like a fuckin' idiot for even entertainin’ the idea.." 

I challenge his self-deprecation, a little irritated that he would talk about himself so snidely.. I wish he could see himself through my eyes.. I wish I could give him the same sense of contentment he has given me.. "You're not stupid, River.. And it’s okay to be scared."

He clicks his tongue in dismissal, missing the point I am trying to make entirely.. "I'm not scared of Amberley, Frankie.."

I shake my head and shift in my seat, turning to face him.. "No, I mean you are afraid that Lovey will suffer the way you did, because you think there is something missing.. There isn’t.. This is the life she has been given.. You are her father and Amberly is her mother.. That will never change.. Maybe Amberley will never care more than she does now, maybe she will.. But Lovey will not suffer.. She never will.. This I can see, I promise.. Amberley is not evil and you are not Ronan.. All will be well, trust me, Tiger.."

“Ye’ know I trust you, baby..” He reaches across to play with my hair, tangling his fingers through the loose pink strands that have fallen about my shoulders as he leans his forehead against mine..

My heart rate accelerates at the tender way his touch ghosts down the side of my neck and my skin prickles with tingly static.. There is no amount of chaos that could keep me from being with him and no amount of resentment that cannot be overcome by love.. I will support him to do what is right, even when it is difficult and I will show him that he will never be abandoned by me..

I know that feeling of empty loneliness, the vacant space that remains inside a heart when it is left to die alone.. River will never know that pain again.. “I trust you too.. So, we will do this together?”

"Aye.. I just can'ae be sure I can keep myself in check if she disrespects ye' again--" He worries for me.. The tightness is visible in his neck and the nervous jitter to the way he speaks is unsettling to me.. He is usually so well composed and calm, but when it comes to his daughter his emotions are sensitive and exposed.. I love that about him, how deeply he cares.. How passionately he protects the people he loves.. "I don'ae wanna fight with her but--" 

"Shhh.. There will be no fighting, River.. Please.. I want to know her, because she is part of Lovey.. It is important to you, so it is important to me.. You see, don’t you?" I soothe him, wrapping my hands around his shoulders to squeeze them sweetly.. “I am not scared of Amberley either..”

He takes a deep restorative breath.. "Aye, alrite’.. So, ye' think I'm doin' the rite' thing?" 

I nod.. "Yes.. I know it.."

 "I dunno what I'd do without ye', Wallflower.. Ye’ make me a better man.." He smiles at me thankfully before pressing his mouth to mine with the transcendent taste of love on his lips..