My lips curled the slightest bit, enjoying the bit of a truce we had reached as we eyed one another.
After a moment, Antonio cleared his throat, gaining my attention. “Was that all you wanted to speak to me about?”
I licked my lips, and I felt my expression soften further. “No, that wasn’t all.” I moved to where he was standing and went on tiptoe, crushing him in a hug. “Thank you for doing what you could to help me.” I kissed his cheek, feeling the ice melt from my heart for him as he embraced me back, holding me fiercely. “I’m sorry for being so awful to you.” My eyes stung, and I quickly wiped them on his shirt before any tears could fall. “I’m so sorry.”
He ran a hand up and down my back, and I realized I was trembling in his hold, truly sorry for hurting him. His voice was gruff when he stated, “I know, Lil. I know.” He kissed my temple. “I’ll always love you and help when I can.”
My voice shook, throat clogged as guilt and love rode me hard, hiccups interrupting my words. “I love…you, too…Dad.”
All the air rushed out of me as he crushed me in his arms; I was truly unable to breathe he held me so tightly, his strong arms killing my ribs. I didn’t complain, knowing he wasn’t meaning to hurt me, and I could only imagine the relief he was feeling at this day finally arriving, no longer hurting and unable to tell me about Isa’s father. I only held him back and unconsciously held my breath.
“Your hold’s too tight on her,” King Zeller said softly but firmly behind me. “She hasn’t taken a breath in a minute.”
Instantly I could breathe, Antonio’s grip loosening, and I inhaled heavily, waving off Antonio’s apology. “I would have said something eventually.”
Antonio’s chuckle was soft as he shook his head. “Or passed out.” He had a point, but I wouldn’t admit to it. He kissed my forehead, then he moved and kissed Isa’s forehead, unafraid of baring his neck to King Zeller. Then he surprised me by squeezing King Zeller’s shoulder gently before heading to the tent flap. He paused and glanced over his shoulder at me, eyebrows cocked, and without any of the kindness he showed moments before, he barked harshly, “I spelled your damn bedroom for a reason.” His finger jabbed at me. “Use it.”
My lips pinched with a smidge of humor as he turned and exited my tent in a huff, running hot and cold like normal. My attention went to Isa, hearing her burp loudly, King Zeller having finished feeding her the bottle. I started packing up the videos and other items from my spelled PO Box — although I did remove the photos and marriage certificate, not able to look at King Zeller now that Antonio was gone and we were alone again. “I’m going to keep the photos and marriage certificate in my bedroom since no one can get back there, and once you’re done with the videos, I’ll take it all back to where I had them before for safe keeping.”
He murmured, “That works for me right now.” King Zeller stood, Isa in his arms, and I watched him from the corner of my eye go to stand in front of the tent flap to my bedroom and toe the entrance with his boot. And, just as the spell had been created to work, his boot hit an invisible barrier before he could reach the flap. He grunted, reaching out to run his hand along the barrier, which extended the length of the wall including the outside, which he was probably realizing. “I want to see where my daughter sleeps,” his gaze was on me, I could feel it, “or she comes to my tent tonight.”
My teeth clenched, and I finally met his gaze. “Are you serious?” I threw my arms wide. “This is coming from the man who has drugs stashed in his room?”
His nostrils flared, and he spoke bluntly. “I could have it all removed in a matter of minutes, then you could inspect it.” He knocked on the barrier. “Your room, on the other hand, I can’t even see.”
My arms crossed in irritation as I stared. “I’ll do this because I understand fully where you are coming from, but know that I can take away your access just as quickly as I give it.” I pointed a finger at him. “So, if I allow you in and you breach my trust at a later date, I will revoke your entry.” I saw he didn’t like this, not at all, but intelligently he didn’t argue since my point was valid. I nodded, then I crossed my arms, compelled to also say, “And just because I’m allowing you back there, it doesn’t mean we will be doing...anything,” my hand fluttered, “sexual…in there.” My cheeks were starting to flush, but I didn’t glance away from his gaze, letting him know I meant it.
His lips pinched as he gazed at me, then they twitched.
I jabbed the finger at him again. “I’m serious.” Again, I watched his lips twitch. “And dammit, I’m not funny.”