stared down his son.
Damien got to his feet but didn’t move to his sister. He looked at me instead. “My father said you could marry her after you left the Skull Kings, and from where I’m standing, it doesn’t look like you—”
“I didn’t marry her,” I said simply. “I just asked her to marry me.”
When he shut his mouth, his teeth clenched together tightly.
“I’ll uphold my end of the deal.” I made my way around the table, passed behind Damien, and joined Catalina’s side.
Damien struggled with this the most, like his hatred for me was so strong that my gestures weren’t good enough. He released a heavy sigh, as if he was beyond frustrated with all of this.
His father walked over to him, placed his hand on his shoulder and lowered his voice so no one else could hear. But I made out every word. “You trust your sister?”
He sighed quietly.
“I trust her,” Richard whispered. “I trust that she wouldn’t ask us to do this unless this man was that important to her. We’re a family that sticks together and supports one another. You need to let the past go, Damien.”
He said nothing.
“A man doesn’t walk away from everything unless it’s love, Damien. He agreed to walk away. Focus on that—not the other stuff.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on.”
My respect for him grew tenfold.
Damien finally cooperated, walking around the table until he was face-to-face with Catalina. He took a deep breath before he dropped all his pride. “Congrats, Cat.” He wrapped his arms around her and embraced her.
She clung to him harder than everyone else, as if his approval was the one she needed the most. “Thank you…”
He kissed her hairline before he pulled away. “It is a beautiful ring.”
“I know it is,” she whispered.
“Exactly what you wanted.” He patted her arm and stepped back.
That went better than I expected. I moved to Richard next and extended my hand. “Merry Christmas, sir.” I’d never called anyone sir in all my life. I was the fucking Skull King. I didn’t say shit like that to anyone. But he deserved my respect.
He took it, giving me a firm shake that belied his age. “Merry Christmas, Heath.”
Catalina watched us, her eyes a little wet like that simple handshake was all she wanted for Christmas. She lived for her father’s approval, dreamed of having us all together—the people she loved.
I moved to Damien next, not bothering with Anna until I figured out what his response would be. He clearly didn’t like having me near his fiancée, not after what I’d done. I extended my hand to shake his, wordlessly greeting him.
He struggled with it, struggled with it just as much as he’d struggled to congratulate his sister. We’d never shaken hands before, and that was the final nail in the coffin for his acceptance. A part of him hoped I would just go away, that I would change my mind about stepping down and I would disappear from his sister’s life. But now he knew I was in this forever—that I wasn’t going anywhere. So, he reciprocated, placing his hand in mine, giving a firm shake with eye contact. “Be good to her.”
I spoke before I released his hand. “I’d die for her.” That was what a man wanted to hear, complete dedication and loyalty. I would always be faithful to her, always protect her, always provide for her. That didn’t even need to be said.
He nodded.
I turned to Anna but didn’t touch her. “Merry Christmas.”
She glanced at Damien, liked she was waiting for permission to come near me.
Damien slid his hands into his pocket and looked at the floor as he nodded.
She walked up to me with her hand extended. “Welcome to the family.”
I smiled slightly. “You too.”
“Alright,” Richard said. “Food’s getting cold, so let’s eat.” He moved to the table and took a seat.
I turned to Catalina, who stared at me with a look she’d never given me before. It was a mixture of love, gratitude, and a million other things I couldn’t identify. I watched her come closer to me, watched her wrap her arms around my waist and kiss me on the mouth, showing affection like there was no one there at all. “I love you…”
My arm circled her waist, and I rested my lips against her forehead. “I love you too.”
The large fireplace against the back wall was lit with high flames, and we gathered around the tree in armchairs, exchanging gifts while we enjoyed slices