He raised a brow. “So? I’m taking care of my girl. I don’t think anyone should have any problem with that.”

“But—”

He pressed the bell. “No buts.”

Then the door opened and appeared my beaming parents. Tess, Caleb, and Tobias strolled behind.

My cheeks flamed at their amused looks. But Mom and Dad held concern and curiosity in their eyes.

“Hello, everyone,” my caveman greeted, walking past them.

“Sweetie, is everything okay? Why is Ace carrying you?” Mom queried.

I opened my mouth when he butted in.

“Jet lag, Mrs. Hutton. She was tired.”

“Ah, all right then. Come, let’s go to the living room.” Smiling, Dad led us inside. He had a glint in his aged eyes, giving Ace a look of appreciation.

Mr. Valencian didn’t have to try to win my parents’ heart. They always loved him as their own son. And now they welcomed him as their family with whole heart.

Once we were all seated in the warm living room, Dad took Ace aside to talk about business along with Caleb, while Tess teased me about how I had her brother-in-law wrapped around my finger.

“I thought he was your best friend?” I raised my brow.

She slumped against the couch. “He still is. But he’s also my brother-in-law now. You know, I’m trying to feel this new relationship between us. Because I don’t have any freaking in-laws here except him. To think about Arthur and Ophelia, one is in the jail and the other is in Italy. And I don’t even know if my future children would get to have any kin from his father’s side except an uncle and…” she winked at me, “aunt.”

My heart skipped at her suggestion. I glanced at him from across the room, only to find his eyes already fixed on me, turning me into a deep shade of red. The intensity in those stormy gray orbs made me avert my gaze and twirl the bracelet he gave me.

Did he hear what Tess said?

“So? How did your meeting go with his mom?”

I let out a sigh. “It was good. She was nice. Just was a little uncomfortable, as Ace said she would be.”

We went to meet her in Italy before leaving for Turkey. Ace wasn’t up to meet his Mom as he wanted to focus only on us during the trip and he knew she wouldn’t be happy to see us. She only allowed Ace and Caleb to meet her on her birthdays. But I wanted to meet her. I wanted to know why she still maintained so much distance from her son. I understood she had issues with this place, but she could at least let Ace see her over there.