Ink (being edited)

Chapter 19: Famiglia

SAGE

I have never been more nervous in my life.

And that is saying something, because normally I'm cool and calm about these things. Not now though. Right now? I want to crawl into a hole and never come out.

"Are you sure this is a good idea babe? I don't want your dad to hate me and-"

"Oh shut your pie hole for two seconds. If anything, he's overjoyed to meet you, seeing that you saved his only son's life."

"Pie hole?" I giggled and threaded my hands through his hair.

"Yes, because after you come back from this totally not scary lunch date with my dad, we're gonna eat all the dessert in this house. Including the pie," he hummed and gave me a smile.

Getting an incentive gave me a little more of a push to go. Tucking a curl behind my ear, I inspected myself in the mirror one last time. I was nowhere near ready for this.

"Are you sure you can't come with me? I'm friggin nervous, babe."

"He wanted to talk to you alone. And besides, there is nothing to fear. He knows you're the only serious girlfriend I've ever had for a reason. If I love you, he will too."

Excuse me as my heart melts a little.

"Fine. I'll see you when I get home. This pie better be the best flavor available."

"Only the best for you, babygirl. I love you."

"Love you more."

. . .

Have you ever had the stomach rising feeling but you aren't on a swingset and/or rollercoaster? Yeah? That was me as I approached the very well dressed man in front of me.

"Mr. Fallaci? Hi"

"You must be Sage I presume. Please just call me Daniel," He smiled and opened his arms inviting me for a hug.

So far so good.

"Come, sit, sit. You seem very tense."

"Tense? Me? No way..."

He chuckled and called a waiter. Once our drinks were ordered and given to us, the real conversation began.

"I invited you here for a couple reasons. First of all, thank you for saving my son. He's an idiot, and had you not been there with Nathan and contacted me, he could've sustained much worse."

"That's what you do for someone you love," I shrugged and sipped my iced tea.

"That's my second topic of concern. I can tell you and Ethan are in love with each other really and truly, but are you aware of what you're getting yourself into?"

"What do you mean?"

He sighed and swirled his drink around, "Did Ethan ever tell you what happened to his mother?"

. . .

DANIEL

"Why are we here again, Snake?"

"Because this is where our shipment is coming from today? It's well worth it because they threw in some complimentary ivory. They really are trying to keep you as a client."

I rolled my eyes as we sat in the jeep and waited for our contact. I didn't know what took him so long, they're the ones that gave us a specific time.

Then, out of the corner of my eye I saw movement.

"Who is that?" Snake asked in my ear.

I turned my head and my breath caught in my throat. She was... a goddess among mortal men.