Rio POV

I woke up to the sound of this pounding at the door, I hated having to lock my doors but I knew that it would make Beth feel better. I shifted slightly so that I could get a better look at Beth. Her fiery red hair as widely mess but I don't mind.

She could be dressed in a dirty t-shirt and sweat and she would still be gorgeous. The pounding at the door persisted, you think they would have taken the hint. I slowly made my way out of the bed I hadn't even made it to the door when I hear Beth shifting in the bed.

Her petite figure moving toward my vacant spot like she was trying to suck up the warmth of the sheets, moaning when she realized I wasn't there anymore.

"Can you turn the heat up." I smiled and nodded my head before walking back over to the bed kissing her gently on the head. Her eyes didn't flutter open about she hummed in ascent as she spoke to me.

"Oh and shot whoever is nocking." I chuckled under my breath before jogging down the steps in record time. I was shocked that I didn't fall down the stairs considering how fast I was going.

As I reach the door it took me a moment to unlock the door, it was a strange concept for me, I got a Glock under my pillow so I ain't that worried when someone comes knocking.

The things that I do for Beth, as I opened the door I was frozen in place from shock. Standing at my door was a man with a shaved head in a black long sleeve shirt with black jeans and canvas working boots.

He looked like he was coming from a funeral but I knew that if he had lifted the sleeve on his right arm it would say Lucia on it in curves. Or his right pec would say, Maria.

"Papi?" I just stood there stunned as a bright blinding smile found its way on my dad's face. He had gotten taller he had to be at least 6'2, maybe 6'3. It felt like a dream that I would wake up form any moment.

But even with him standing in front of me I was too stupid to even speak, "Hola hijo you mom told me that you would be here. Have you been sleeping the day away."

I ran into my dad's arms, he was startled but quickly wrapped his arms around me. I could feel my face breaking out into this huge grin as I realized that this wasn't a dream. That this was really him and not some tick my eyes was creating.

He was even wearing the same collagen that he wore the day that the cops raided the house. I was overwhelmed with some many emotion and they all seemed to overwhelm the anger from this morning.

"It not that I'm not glad to see you hijo but would you mind if we head in the house it's pretty cold out here." I chuckled under my breath as I pulled out of the hug an into my house. I doubt that you could say that I was embraced by the warmth of the house since it was still pretty cold in here.

"Jeez it's colder in here than out there hijo you are going to get sick like this," I smirked at the concern in his voice I felt like a kid in the candy store. All of this seems so unable 10 long years in prison were finally up.

I didn't think that he would ever get out yet here he is comparing my heat and my health. I could feel that shit eating grin working its way back to my face as I walked over to the thermostat.

I didn't think that it was that cold but apparently it was 60 degrees in here or so say my thermostat. I sighed and watched as the 60 turned it a warm bright red 70 on the screen.

"So I have been told, what are you doing here papi did something happened is mamá and Lucia okay?" I looked at my father for a moment taking in every detail of his face like he was going to disappear again.

This time for life, the way that his eyes crinkle when he smiles of the pride and concern that shone in his eyes as he watched me move. I wanted to memorize all of it because life isn't always certain.

I made my way to the kitchen after taking a moment, I knew that Beth was going to want coffee and I wouldn't mind some right now. I moved around the kitchen effortless not even needing to think about it. The shining red coffee pot stared back at me as I poured in ute Cuban roast.

"Coffee will kill you, Rio." I snorted he was open to talk he loved drinking coffee straight black.

"It's not for me, and even if it was you always said the only coffee worth drinking was Cuban coffee, which just so happens to be the only kind I have in the house."

He laughed to himself recalling the time I asked why he drank Cuban coffee foam when I was a kid, he said there was nothing better than a dark roast with flavor. I jumped up sitting on the island as I felt my father gaze on me.

"I have to ask, why did you think that there was something wrong with your mother and sister. Is there issues with the rival gangs or am I just missing something."

I sighed and looked at him this understanding light in his dark brown eyes that almost made them look black. It was like looking at oil slick or black coffee.

"Nah, nothing like that, uh didn't mamá tell you what was going on with Lucia." I Looked at him and this suspicious light took up residence in his eyes as this worry grin formed on his face and his arms folded across his chest. Great, they didn't tell him.

I watched his eyebrows dip further down his face as the worry grin turned into an aggravated frown, nice going Rio really only you could cause family problems his first day back. "No Rio, but you can just tell me what's going on."

I hear a beeping going off in the background which was the perfect excuse to have it talk about this. I hopped off of the counter and had the coffee pot in my hand in one swift motion. I watch the blacklist slosh in the pot as I grabbed two mugs from the glass cabinet.

How the hell was I going to explain to him that his daughter was dating a Santos and flunking out of college? I'm sure that mom didn't tell him for a reason but as I stared into the coffee mugs watching the steam come out of the cups. I couldn't think of a single possible lie that wouldn't bite me in the ass.

I gripped the mugs while stealing my nerves I wash suit going to have to lie my way out of this. Which I can do I lie, murder and steal for a living this should be easy. Compared to staring down thugs and FBI agent that has been chasing me up and down Detroit.

But as I looked up from the mugs handing one to my father I could see that hard cold look that forced fear into the heart of the other gangs. The same hardcore boss that was sent away 10 years ago and ended up running the prison before a year as up.

I'm a fucking idiot, there is no way that I would be able to lie my way out of this or not slip up. Not without some outside help to distract him from the topic but that wasn't coming, so I was just going to have to add him.

"Cuban coffee and black just like you like it." I could feel his aunty gaze as he took a sip not once taking his eyes off of me.

"Rio what are you talking about, your mother said that even though she told you she didn't tell your sister. She is in class right now, she has no clue that I am even here, I wasn't supposed to get out for another week. I wanted it surprises her but if there is nothing that I should know about your sister then I would like to know now!"

Before I could even say a word, to give him some half ass like that would blow up in my face I hear moment coming from upstairs. I completely forget that Beth had been sleeping. I must have woke her up, or dad woke her up.

An eerie sound filled the air which I knew was the third to last step of my staircase, which meant Beth would be in the kitchen very soon. That was two things that I don't want it to happen, my dad meeting Beth and my dad finds out something that mom didn't want him to know. Great just great I was digging myself into an even bigger hole then I started in.

"Rio where are you." I heard Beth's gentle voice as my father look at me for a moment smirking like this was highly amusing to watch me squirm.

"So that is what you look like you have been sleeping all day." I shook my head sadly as I saw Beth from the corner of my eyes. Thank god she was fully clothes.

But as she walked into the kitchen the loving look in her eyes was replace with one of anger, what could I have down now. This frown formed on her face as she glowered at my dad like he had done something wrong.

"You said no work today, that it was a lazy day, god it only took you, 3 hours to break out deal. So rude." My dad's laughter bellowed in the kitchen as he shifted his vision from me to Beth.

"You a lazy day yeah right, how tired are you, Rio." I shook my head, how was I the one on the chopping block and not Beth. "You must be the girlfriend that Rio's mother said he would refuse to bring around. I'm Ricardo but everyone just calls me Rico, I'm Rio's father it's nice to meet you."

Beth looked around for a moment simply looking at my father before glaring at me, I could tell that she wasn't pleased that they were meeting like this but she gives him a coy smile and nodded her head. "It nice to meet you, my name is Beth."

She stretched her hand out to shake his and he took it gently smirking at her before looking at me.

"Tu madre no estará feliz de verte saliendo con una cena de chica blanca esta noche, así que se interesante" I choked on my coffee as I looked at him he couldn't be serious.

"Dinner with you, mom, and Lucia you're not serious." He shook his head sadly before turning to look at Beth. This knew twinkle in his eyes as he thought about tonight.

"It was nice to meet you, dear, hopefully, you will be at dinner tonight, Rio's mother invited you. Oh and Rio we aren't done talking about that thing, so don't think that you're in the free and clear."

I nodded my head sadly resigned to whatever hell I just put myself in. "It's good to see you again papi." He smiled and nodded his head before walking out of the house leaving me with Beth.

"What the hell was that all about, and why didn't you tell me that your dad was going to be here I wouldn't have looked like a bum and I wouldn't have yelled at you." I looked at her for a moment so if she knew he was here. Then she would have yelled at me secret.

"I'm made you coffee there is french vanilla creamer in the fridge and sugar on the countertop." She was startled I could tell by the look on her face and it was rather insulting like I couldn't know how she lied her coffee.

"Thanks but you still didn't answer my question." I snorted lightly before walking over to the frigid kissing her lips before walking out of the room.

I crumpled on the black couch staring blankly at the turned off 62-inch flat screen for a moment before turning the tv on. The first thing that popped up was the news and there was nothing I hated more than watching the news.

"Well," I looked up to see that Beth was leaning over the arm of the couch, her blue eyes challenging me to lie to her.

"I didn't know that he was going to be dropping by. He was in jail up until a few hours ago. I wasn't supposed to see him until tomorrow but I guess that he didn't wait. Anyway, that isn't the point my mother is a monster, trust me you don't want to meet her." Beth snarled wildly at me like I had just said something wrong but I thought that I was being nice.

"It funny that you have met my sister, my soon to be ex-husband and one of my kids but I can't meet your mother or sister."

I sighed this wasn't the same thing my family was a mess, so I turn to see her angry blue gaze. I knew no matter what I said I would still be in trouble,

"It's not like that, she's just big on first impressions, if you mess that up then she will hate you for the rest of our relationship. I justed wanted more time to prep you that's all." I look at her hoping to see any indication that she would drop it but, of course, she didn't.

I gripped her waisted gently rubbing a few circles into her pulse point before pulling her down in my lap and kissing her next gently. "Please drop it there will be plenty more times for you to meet her."

I could see the wheel turning in Beth's head as she got ready to argue with me by my phone started to go off. By the sound of the ringtone of Don Omar, I knew that it was my mother.

Dammit did papi get home that fast, I grumbled under my breath before answering the phone? "Hey ma what's up." I looked at Beth who was frowning at me as I had just broken some unspoken rule, I just couldn't when today.

I kissed her temple gently before making my way to get up I didn't want her to here the soon to be a rude conversation between me and my mother. But the murderous glare in her eyes told me not to move a muscle.

I didn't hear anything on the other line except for some movement around the house and this deep sigh. "You papi told me that he met your new girlfriend and that she was a very nice girl.

But the way he had that sly smirk on his face told me that there was something that I was missing. Is there something that you would like to talk about before dinner tonight." I could hear the aggravation in her voice and I could just tell that her eyebrow was probably twitching with anger.

I shifted my vision to Beth real quick get a good look at the suspense that was in her eyes like she was waiting for me to respond. Could she hear what my mother said on the phone or was she just waiting for me to give her the rundown?

"Nope ma, nothing you need to know, it will be fine but are you sure that Beth and I should come over to dinner. I mean you didn't tell papi about the Santos gang."

Before I could another out I could hear screaming and surprise crying as the front door of the house slammed open. I knew that it had to be my sister I mean who else would be that loud this late in the afternoon.

"Your sister just got back from her exam, and I promised her that I would let her tell him so no I'm not going to tell him. But that doesn't change our plans for family dinner your papi got to meet this new girl so should I, now be here by 5, dinners not till 6 but I want to meet this girl and have a chance to talk to her."

I sighed heavily I was really going that she would agree that it was a bad time for Beth to meet the family. But before I could put up another argument Beth was off my lap and in the kitchen before I could say a word. From this angle, I couldn't get a good look but I hear the sound of rushing water as she turned the forest on.

"Alright ma, we will be there see you then." I hung up the phone as I made my way into the kitchen to see Bets teeth grazing her bottom lip as she cleans the mug. I could tell that she was deep in thought as he places the cup absently on the drying rack. "What are you thinking about."

I watched her jump from the sound of my voice she didn't even hear me come up and it was like I was trying to be stealthy.

I could see her clothing her chest as if that would make her heart rate go down. I tried not to laugh but I could feel the corners of my mouth tonguing into a huge smile as she frowned at me.

"That not funny you have to stop scaring me like that." I laughed lightly as I moved closer to her in slow but long strides as I got behind her wrapping my arms around her waist before resting my chin in the crook of her neck.

Swaying back and forth gently as I hear the tv playing in the background, leaving a soft hum of quietness in the kitchen.

"Dinners at 6 but we have to be there are 5." I hummed it softly into the crook of her neck as my lips graze her soft skin. But she fought her way out of my grasp leaving me confused and a little hurt.

"Where are you going?" I looked at her as she started to make her way out of the kitchen at a brisk pace. "Its 3 pm means that I only have 2 hours to get dressed."I laughed as she disappeared up the step this night was going to be a train wreck.