Page 62 of Living Without

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When we arrived at Dive’s, Mum came out the front door wearing an apron, waving wildly. Stoke soon followed. He rolled his eyes at Mum, then leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest.

Saxon was already out of the truck and around at my door opening it before I had the chance to do it. He took my hand as I slid out and then continued holding my hand as we walked together to the front door. I took in my mum’s gaze. Her eyes were on our hands, and they grew misty and soft.

She blinked as we got close and smiled, taking the few steps to us where she wrapped me up in her arms.

“My girl.”

“Mum,” I whispered into her hair. Like mine, there was a lot.

“How you going, honey?” she asked.

“Better. It was hard to see Kelsey go, but I’ll be okay.”

Pulling back, her hands rested on my shoulders and she studied my face. A small smile formed on her lips, and she nodded. “You will be. Now, come help your mum in the kitchen while the guys chat.” She turned and threw her arm over my shoulder, leading us to the door. “Hey, Saxon.”

“Malinda.” He sent her a chin lift.

We paused at the door where Dad was. “Don’t I get any lovin’ off my daughter?” he asked, raising a brow.

Grinning, I said, “Of course,” then wound my arms around his waist.

“Saxon, come on through and grab a drink,” I heard Mum order and sensed them move off, but I just kept holding onto Dad. I wasn’t sure if it was for his benefit or mine. “Josh!” Mum scolded from inside. “Get your feet off the coffee table. This is not our house.”

“Jesus, Mum, we’re at Dive’s house, not the Queen’s.”

Both Dad and I chuckled. When he moved back, his hands came to my cheeks. I placed mine on his wrists. “Can already see,” he muttered, while looking at me.

“What?” I whispered.

“You, my girl, coming outta the darkness to be herself again.”

“Dad,” I whimpered, tears pooling, my bottom lip trembling.

“Fucked up, what happened, but my girl is strong. Nothin’ will beat her down, not when she has us at her back and that kid in there who would do anything to keep her safe and happy.” He smiled. “Can already see his magic workin’ now he’s not being a dick.” I snorted a laugh. Dad’s expression sobered. “You may need to be strong again when he tells you his past—”

My brows pulled together in confusion. “How—”

Dad shook his head, slid his hands to my shoulders, and I dropped mine to his waist. Dad interrupted with, “He didn’t tell me. I found out, and I know, you being my girl, you can handle it, and I know when you do… when you show him once and for all he’s worth your love like you’vealwaysbeen worth his, it’ll be fuckin’ beauty for the rest of your lives. He’ll make it so, and so will we. But my girl is also stubborn like her ma, so I know she’ll do anythin’ to make it happen.”

“I will.” I nodded.

“Be happy, my girl,” he said and leaned in to kiss my forehead.

“I’m getting there.”

“Good.” He grunted. “And if Vicious does anything to fuck it all up, which is highly goddam doubtful, I’ll take the guy down myself.”

Laughing, I hugged him again. “I know you will.”

“Now, we’d better get in there or your mum will worry I’ve got you crying out here.”

“It was close.”

“Don’t tell her that. She’ll have my balls,” he said and opened the front door again. I wasn’t sure who’d closed it before, but I was grateful for the peace to have that moment with Dad.

Chapter Twenty-Three

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