Page 11 of King

She glanced up at him, expecting some sort of judgment—maybe even amusement. But there was none. If anything, she almost thought she saw pride in his gaze.

“That why you took the job with the mayor?” King asked.

She shrugged. “It felt like the best way to actuallybelonghere. To be part of the community and give something back.”

King gave a small hum of approval, and the sound made a warmth settle in her chest.

For the first time in as long as Ella could remember, she felt like someonesawher.

“What aboutyourparents?” She tilted her head toward him.

King leaned back, resting an arm over his knee. “Still in town. Been together since they were teenagers. They’re great people. I don’t talk to them as much as I’d like because my schedule is hectic but when we talk and see each other, we’re close.”

Ella smiled softly. “That’s really nice.”

He nodded. “They’re good people. Always supported me, even when I was a little shit growing up.”

She giggled. “I can’t picture you being a little shit.”

King smirked, shooting her a sideways glance. “That’s because you didn’t know me back then.”

Ella shook her head, smiling to herself.

But before she could respond, a soft voice nearby caught her attention.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Her breath hitched.

Ella’s gaze flicked toward the group, her stomach twisting as she realizedwhat she’d heard.

It wasn’t the first time tonight. She’d heard it earlier and thought maybe she was imagining things. But now… now, she wassure.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket.

King shifted beside her. “Something on your mind, princess?”

Ella swallowed, glancing up at him. His expression was unreadable, but there was somethingknowingin the way he looked at her, something that made her cheeks burn.

Finally, she forced herself to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why do they… call them that?”

King didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let the question hang in the air, watching her closely. Then, slowly, he smiled.

“I’m pretty sure you already know the answer to that, dollface.”

Ella’s entire face flamed.

She looked away quickly, her heart racing.

Oh my God.

King chuckled, low and deep, but he didn’t say anything. He let her sit with it, let her process.

For a long while, they sat in comfortable silence, the fire crackling in front of them. Ella hadn’t realized how tired she was until her body started sinking into the warmth of the blanket.

She must have drifted because the next thing she knew, King’s deep voice was calling her name.

“Ella.”

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