We walked into the dining room where I’d spoken with her father, and there was a large sixteen-foot tree in the corner, fully decorated with lights and ornaments. Red and green centerpieces were along the table, along with covered serving dishes like the food was already ready.
Damien sat next to Anna, while Richard sat across from them, enjoying their cappuccinos as they waited for us. They were a normal family, growing up with the kind of wealth and love I’d never had.
But Catalina had given me all the love I didn’t receive all those years ago.
“Merry Christmas,” Catalina said as she announced us. She barely made it to the table when Anna screamed.
“Oh my god.” She pointed at Catalina’s left hand. “What the hell is that?”
I was holding the presents, so I walked to the tree and set them down next to the rest of the piles. Catalina may have been dreading this moment, but I wasn’t. I did as her father asked, made a big sacrifice, so I had every right to give her a ring. The least she could do was put it on and not hide it.
She’d made the right choice.
Catalina held out her left hand, letting the diamond sparkle under the chandelier. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Shit, it’s gorgeous.” Anna took her hand and examined it, turning it to watch it sparkle.
I’d known stepping into this room would be tense, so the ring broke the ice and made it less awkward.
Damien stared at the ring, not saying a word.
“I love it,” Catalina said proudly.
Richard didn’t say anything either, probably caught off guard by the sudden announcement. But he recovered much quicker than his son did, and he did it with a lot more grace. He slowly got to his feet and embraced his daughter with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”
He took her left wrist and examined the ring. “It’s stunning—just like you.”
I respected her father for being selfless, for being there for his daughter instead of getting sucked into his own feelings—like Damien.
“It’s perfect for you,” he whispered as he dropped her wrist. “It reminds me of your mother’s.”
“It does, huh?” she said, looking at it again.
Richard turned to his son. “Damien, get up and congratulate your sister.”
I stood at the other side of the table, near the tree, watching the scene as a spectator.
Damien ground his teeth, like he didn’t enjoy being bossed around, especially when he really didn’t want to do what he was told.
Anna got up first, like that would make it easier for him. She hugged Catalina, squeezing her hard like she was genuinely happy for her friend. “I’m so happy for you. That ring is gorgeous, girl.”
“Thank you,” Catalina said as she squeezed her back.
Richard 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.