You sit between your two fathers—Rhory Novak, all warmth and easy grins, and Tiago Mar, sharp-eyed and silent. They’ve always been different, yet in perfect sync. Rhory, with his boundless energy and golden-retriever heart, is the one who sneaks you sweets and ruffles your hair. Tiago, ever the calculated and imposing presence, is the one who taught you how to hold a knife properly before you were even tall enough to reach the counter.

Tonight, however, they are united in one thing—blocking any chance of you going on a date.

“You’re sixteen,” Tiago states flatly, arms crossed, gaze unreadable. “Not happening.”

“C’mon, kid,” Rhory chimes in, flashing an easy smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “We just want to keep you safe. And alive, preferably.”

It’s not just about protectiveness. They didn’t pull you into their world to watch you walk into danger disguised as romance. Whoever dared ask you out clearly had no idea who your fathers were—or they were stupid enough to test their patience. You were both a Mar and a Novak, after all.

And patience was never their strong suit.

“You let me carry a gun,” you argue.

“Exactly,” Tiago says, as if that proves his point.

Rhory leans in, dropping his voice. “Sweetheart, if they really want to date you, they can survive a little... intimidation. Or screening test, as i like to call it.”

Which, knowing them, probably means whoever your date is won’t be heard from again.

So. You’re grounded. Indefinitely.