Chapter 14 #2
“Then we’ll see you soon, sweetie.”
“Sorry.” Maggie winced. “I should’ve called them, but I didn’t want them to worry, and I didn’t need the added drama right now. Just drop me at Home Plate and I’ll call you when I’m done.”
“Oh, no.” Ace gripped her hips. “I’m coming to this breakfast.”
Emotions flitted across her face. “Okay.” She didn’t sound thrilled.
“And if your father says one thing to you that I don’t like, we’re leaving.”
“Ace—”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “No buts. Now get some clothes on that sweet butt of yours before I need to fondle it some more.”
That got a smile out of her, but he still saw the shadows in her eyes.
Ace hated his biological father. He’d never met him, never wanted to, but he had researched the hell out of him. It was a clear-cut case of Ace wanting nothing to do with the man who contributed his DNA.
But Maggie’s relationship with her father was a more nuanced thing. It was clear she loved him, even when he left her bruised.
Soon they were driving to Home Plate, not far from her apartment. Ace snagged a parking spot close by, and they walked into the old-school-style diner, his hand on Maggie’s lower back.
A couple stood up at one of the long, wooden tables at the back, and instantly, he knew it was her parents.
Maggie had her father’s height, dark hair, and body, but her mother’s face.
Beside him, he felt Maggie steeling herself.
“Mom, Dad.” She hugged them both. “This is Ace. Ace Oliveira.”
He met their curious gazes. Kiki Lopez was eyeing him with interest, but Leo Lopez didn’t bother to hide his disapproval.
Luckily, Ace didn’t scare easily.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Ace held out a chair for Maggie.
They sat and a young server hurried over. Maggie was a little pale, and just ordered a croissant. Ace ordered pancakes.
“What happened to that crap Jeep of yours?” her father barked. “I told you that you needed a new car years ago.”
Maggie lifted her chin. “Someone put a bomb in it.”
Her parents’ mouths dropped open.
Ace curled a hand at the back of her neck. “There’s a police investigation. We can’t discuss the details.”
“Maggie.” Her mother reached across the table and grabbed her hand.
“I’m staying with Ace. The guys at Norcross are taking good care of me.”
Leo sat back in his chair. “You work for Norcross?”
Ace nodded.
“Oh.” Kiki sipped water and sent a worried glance at her husband.
“I’ve been telling her that she shouldn’t be working at that place. It’s too dangerous.”
Ace arched a brow. “Maggie is a hell of a pilot. She is an indispensable part of the Norcross team, and we would never put her in any unnecessary danger.”
Leo grunted. “And yet someone’s putting bombs in her car.”
“Which has nothing to do with Norcross,” Maggie said.
The older man grunted.
Thankfully, their food arrived.
“You can’t say…more about who blew up your SUV?” Her mother was clearly worried.
“No, Mom, the police are investigating.”
“The person responsible has been arrested,” Ace told them. “But whoever gave the order is still on the loose.”
“Come home with us,” her father said. “You’ll be safer out of San Francisco.”
Ace tensed. He didn’t want Maggie anywhere out of his sight.
Maggie shook her head. “I can’t, Dad. I have work. I have bills and loans to pay.”
“You should never have gone into all that debt.”
Kiki got a pinched look. She was clearly bracing for an argument.
Maggie set her knife down. “Dad—”
“I ran a successful business for years,” he said. “I know—”
“Yes, you know. You have to be right all the time, and have things all your way.”
Leo’s face turned red. “Don’t talk to me that way. I’m your father, and you’ll show me respect.”
“If you don’t respect my decisions, I’ll talk to you however I need to.”
“Maggie’s good at what she does,” Ace said. “She’s put together an excellent business, and like I said, she’s a hell of a pilot. You should be proud.”
“You stay out of this,” her father barked.
“Dad,” Maggie snapped. “Do not talk to him that way.”
Ace squeezed her neck again. Under the table, she gripped his thigh.
“Maggie.” Kiki tried to be the peacemaker. She’d probably had lots of practice. “We’re just worried about you. Please think about coming home with us.”
“Thanks, Mom, but I’m staying with Ace. I’m safe. I promise.” Suddenly, she went pale.
“Here.” Ace held out a glass of water and stroked her back.
“Thanks.” She shot him a wan smile and sipped the water.
Her parents frowned at her.
“Sweetie, are you sick?” her mother asked.
Maggie met Ace’s gaze. He nodded. He figured it was best to rip the bandage off.
She straightened her shoulders. “No, I’m pregnant.”
Silence fell across the table.
Kiki blinked rapidly. Leo didn’t blink at all. He looked frozen.
Then Maggie’s father set his knife and fork down. He looked at Ace. “You got my daughter pregnant?”
“She’s having my baby, yes.”
Mmm, saying that didn’t make him break out in a sweat quite as much as it had a few days ago.
Leo fell worryingly silent, and Kiki was watching him, as though he were a ticking bomb.
Kiki finally took Maggie’s hand. “This is a surprise.”
“It wasn’t planned,” Maggie said. “We’re both still getting used to the idea, ourselves.”
“When are you getting married?” her father demanded.
“Dad, it isn’t the Dark Ages. You don’t have to be married to have a child anymore.”
Leo went red again. “No child of mine is having a baby out of wedlock.”
“Wedlock?” Maggie said. “Who even uses that word?”
Ace felt his anger swelling.
“I do,” Leo growled.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “I’m not a child, Dad. I’m an adult. Fully grown.”
“What you are is a silly girl, with mountains of debt, and now unwed and pregnant. A total failure.”
Maggie jerked like he’d hit her. Ace had had enough.
He threw his napkin down, stood, and pulled Maggie up with him.
“That’s enough. You should be proud of Maggie’s accomplishments. She achieved them all by herself, with no help from you. And you should celebrate your grandchild, and know that Maggie—smart, sassy, lively Maggie—will make a wonderful mother.”
She looked at him, her lips parted. There were tears shimmering in her eyes.
Ace took her hand. “A brilliant mother, who’ll help me be the father this child deserves.”
Ace pinned her parents with a hard stare. Kiki had tears in her eyes, Leo’s jaw was working.
“Not a father like you, where love and approval are conditional on following your orders.” Ace tugged Maggie’s hand. “We’re leaving, gatinha .”