KING OF GREED
BONUS SCENE
ANA HUANG
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Copyright © 2023 by Ana Huang
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CONTENTS
Dominic
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DOMINIC
“D o I look like a caterer to you ?” D ante followed me into the
backyard with a scowl and a giant bowl of Camila’s famous guacamole.
“I’m a guest, not hired help.”
“Put the guac next to the salsa.” I ignored his grousing and nodded at
the outdoor table, which already groaned beneath the weight of various
dishes, condiments, and drinks. “When you’re done, find Marcelo and tell
him to make extra caipirinhas. Vuk can hoover half a dozen of those on his
own.”
“I’m going to need a dozen of those after this,” Dante muttered, but
after more grumbling and a colorful curse in Italian, he complied.
“You might want to check your drink in case he poisons it later.” Kai
laughed from his spot near the grill, where he was monitoring half a dozen
beef patties. “He’s not used to playing caterer.”
“Tough luck.”
I’d eschewed a professional catering company for a reason. Last year, I
went all out for Alessandra’s birthday with a two-week trip to Southeast
Asia. The food, hotels, and activities had been amazing, but after the first
week, we both missed home, and I suspected she’d want something more
low-key this year around.
Instead of a black-tie event at a fancy venue, I’d invited our close
friends and family over for surprise party slash potluck. It was distressingly
quaint, and whoever invented the concept of a potluck deserved to be shot,
but it was too late to back out.
“Daddy!” A flurry of yellow burst through the back door and into my
arms. “Daddy, look what I made!”
Any reservations I had about the potluck melted away when Bea
brandished her homemade card. Happy Birthday, Mommy! arced across the
top in girlish red writing. The rest of the card was dominated by three sticks
figures holding hands. The two taller figures flanked the smaller one. One
had long, wavy dark hair and a blue dress; the other had yellow hair and a
cell phone in his free hand. The child wore a tiara and a toothy smile.
“Do you like it?” Bea’s eyes glittered with hope. She had her mother’s
dark hair and infectious grin but my eyes and drive to succeed. Even at the
tender age of six, she refused to settle for anything less than being the best.
“I love it.” I kissed her on the cheek, smiling when she erupted into
delighted giggles. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart.”
I’d been terrified during Alessandra’s pregnancy—terrified that the birth
would go wrong, that I wouldn’t be a good father and that I’d somehow
fuck up my child for life because what experience did I have with
parenting? I didn’t exactly have role models to look up to when it came to
being a good father.
But the moment I held Bea in my arms, it was over. I knew I would do
anything to keep her safe and happy.
Six years ago, I’d been certain I only had room in my heart for
Alessandra. Then a little girl with dark hair and blue eyes came along and
proved my heart was bigger than I thought.
“When’s Mommy coming?” Bea asked. She loved surprise parties, and I
could tell she was itching to see her mother again.
“Soon, I promise.” Vivian, Isabella, and Sloane had been tasked with
distracting Alessandra with a spa day while we set up at home. “Why don’t
you put your card in a safe place while we wait?” Knowing my daughter,
she might get food all over it before Alessandra arrived.
If there was one thing Bea inherited from both of us, it was appreciation
for a good meal. No picky eating like some other kids her age.
She was already ahead of me. She shoved the card in my hand and ran
off to the swing set, where Dante and Vivian’s daughter Josephine was
playing with Kai and Isabella’s son Theo.
“Bea…”
“You’re my safe place, Daddy,” she said with such sincerity that my
attempt at sternness dissolved before it fully formed.
Bea went back to playing with her friends, and I was stuck with Kai and
his shit-eating grin. “Dominic Davenport whipped by a six-year-old. What a
sight.”
“Look who’s talking.” Kai doted on Theo so much it would be
disgusting if I didn’t understand where he was coming from.
“I’m just enjoying it while it lasts.” Kai flipped the patties. “One day,
they won’t think it’s cool to hang out with us anymore.”
Don’t I know it. I dreaded that day, but I tried not to dwell on it. Bea was
only six, and if there was one thing I’d learned over the years, it was how to
appreciate the good moments as they came instead of constantly worrying
about the future.
Kai and I kept an eye on the kids and put the finishing touches on the
backyard setup while Alessandra’s family and our other friends took care of
the interior.
I’d just saved the cupcakes from a mischievous Theo’s grabby hands
when the glass door slid open and Marcelo poked his head out. “Quick,” he
hissed. “She’s here!”
The slam of a car door in the distance emphasized his warning.
Shit. I wasn’t expecting her to be back for another half hour.
I herded Theo away from the food while guests flooded the backyard
and tried to look for hiding places. It was infinitely harder hiding in broad
daylight than at night, but I couldn’t start the party too late because of the
kids.
“Fu—fudge it,” Dante amended quickly when Josephine stared up at
him with wide eyes. “There’s no point trying to hide. You have no cover
back here.”
His face softened when his daughter wrapped her arms around him and
buried her face in his side like that would somehow prevent Alessandra
from spotting her. I remember a time when Dante’s scowl was as ingrained
in his physical appearance as his dark hair and signature suits, but marriage
and fatherhood had changed him as it’d changed all of us.
He was still a grumpy bastard, but at least he was more tolerable on a
daily basis.
The women’s voices drifted through the crack in the sliding door.
My heartbeat tripped as Alessandra came into view. She was glowing
from her spa day, but even if she wasn’t, she’d still be the most beautiful
woman present.
Luckily, she was too engrossed in whatever Isabella was showing her on
her phone (thank you, Isa) to notice the spectacle in the backyard until
Sloane opened the door fully and a chorus of voices boomed through the
open space.
“Surprise!”
Alessandra’s head jerked up. Her mouth parted with shock, but it
eventually gave way to a huge smile as everyone swarmed her for hugs.
“You guys!” She shot a mock accusing look at Vivian, Isabella, and
Sloane. “Were you in on this?”
“Us?” Isabella blinked, the picture of innocence. “Of course we were.”
“I’m an event planner,” Vivian added. “This is my bread and butter.”
“I just wanted a spa day.” Sloane rolled her eyes. “Kidding.”
Someone put on music. Chatter filled the backyard, followed by the
rustling of plates and napkins as people dug into the food.
I hung back, letting the others have their time with Alessandra until the
crowd drifted away and I had her to myself.
“Finally.” I closed the distance between us and gave her a gentle kiss on
the lips. “I thought they would never leave.”
Her laugh vibrated against my mouth. “You’re the one who invited
them. Dominic Davenport, event planner,” she teased. “Who would’ve
thought?”
“Don’t get used it. I only did it for you.” I brushed my mouth over hers
again. “Happy birthday, amor.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, her eyes soft in a way that could melt the
hardest of hearts. “I know you hate parties, so I appreciate you doing this.
And I’m glad you went with the orange cake instead of the tapioca.”
I’d spent weeks debating which kind of cake to get her. How did…
My face fell. “You knew?”
“No,” she said quickly, obviously realizing her mistake. “Okay, fine,
yes, but it’s the thought that counts.”
I couldn’t believe it. I’d been so damn careful I even bought a second
phone to plan the party. “What gave it away? Was it Marcelo?” Her brother
was awful at keeping secrets.
“I heard you talking about it on the phone when I came home early one
day.”
Fuck. I knew I should’ve taken that call in a soundproofed room.
Alessandra laughed. “Seriously, it doesn’t matter. It’s still the best
birthday I could’ve asked for.”
“But it wasn’t a surprise birthday,” I grumbled.
However, my disgruntlement gradually faded when I saw how happy
Alessandra was. She loved nothing more than being around those she cared
about, and the next few hours blurred into a stream of food, drinks, and
laughter.
Bea held off on showing Alessandra her card until she’d opened the last
of her gifts at the end of the night.
“Happy birthday, Mommy,” she said shyly, her earlier energy dampened
by nerves and exhaustion. She’d been running around all day, and it was
well past her bedtime.
Alessandra stared at the card, her eyes glistening with a sheen of
emotion. “You saved the best for last.” She kissed the top of Bea’s head.
“Thank you, sweetheart. It’s beautiful.”
“That’s what…” A giant yawn split Bea’s face. “That’s what Daddy
said.”
“Well, Daddy was right. I’m going to put it right on the fridge where I
can see it every morning. But for now, it’s time for bed.” Alessandra
smoothed a hand over Bea’s hair. “We’ll make your favorite pancakes for
breakfast tomorrow.”
It was a testament to our daughter’s sleepiness that she didn’t protest
going to bed like she usually did.
The house was quiet after we tucked her in. The rest of the guests had
left, leaving Alessandra and I alone in the living room. We sat on the couch,
savoring a rare quiet moment together.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder while she snuggled against my
side.
“Today was a good day,” she murmured.
“Mmm. Even after Marcelo got drunk and threw up in the bushes?”
“Even then.”
A smile touched my mouth. Another long, quiet moment passed before I
spoke again. “Are you happy?”
She lifted her head to look at me. “Yes. And you?” she asked softly.
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.” Short, simple, honest. The truth didn’t need explanation.
It’d been a long day, but we stayed in the living room for another hour.
We didn’t talk much; we simply held each other, basking in the comfortable
silence until sleep urged us upstairs and we dozed off, perfectly content.
He’d never wanted anyone enough to chase them…until he met her.
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