Page 28 of Kingston

Relief brightened his eyes.“I love you so much, baby.”

“Can I…?”I flicked my eyes to the smaller table beside where Charlie was secured.To the different weapons that were old and rusty.There was a hacksaw and wire cutters and things I didn’t know the names of, but they had all been used.Their jagged edges had left old and fresh imprints on Charlie’s extremities.“Just a little?”

Gripping my chin, Kingston forced me to meet his gaze.Green eyes stared down at me for a long moment, as if making sure I was okay, before he finally nodded.“Come here, love.Let me help you.”

When Kingston moved, Charlie whimpered, the sound so pathetically weak I couldn’t hold back a little giggle in response.His helplessness made me oddly giddy.Which was most definitely wrong, but he’d done such a spectacular job of breaking me, I didn’t think it mattered any longer.

Kingston smirked down at me.“There’s my little hell-raiser.Are you ready to play, sweetheart?”

I took the carving knife he handed me, a tiny thrill tingling down my spine.“So ready.”

“That’s my girl.”

Epilogue

Demi

Humming to myself,I fastened Iris into her car seat before jumping down from the back seat of the truck.My little car sat parked off to the side in our new driveway, but I hadn’t driven it since we’d moved in to our four-bedroom house three months ago.Kingston preferred me to drive his truck, and I liked how powerful I felt when I was behind the wheel of the huge vehicle.

Not gonna lie, it was kind of fun seeing people’s reactions when I stepped out of the tank-like machine.Most of the citizens of Creswell Springs didn’t even blink at the sight these days, but there were always tourists or new college students at Aggie’s who dropped their jaws whenever I hopped down from the driver’s seat.

It wasn’t long before I was pulling into my favorite spot in Aggie’s parking lot, right beside Kingston’s motorcycle.Iris was already unbuckling herself before I could get the door open.Helping her down, I made sure there was no traffic coming and allowed her to rush ahead to open the front door.

There was no need for the little bell above the door to alert anyone to our entrance when Iris was already announcing our arrival.“Gammy, I misseded you!”

Quinn stopped in the middle of taking someone’s order to scoop her into her arms.“Hi, sweet pea.I missed you so much.”

Hiding my smile, I bypassed them and went straight for the kitchen.Three plates were already in the pass-through window.I met Kingston’s gaze just as he called, “Order up!”

Green eyes flared with pleasure and heat, and I had to restrain myself from running to him.He came out of the swinging double doors before I could reach them, already kissing me and not giving me a chance to open my mouth.

“You got something to tell me, hell-raiser?”he murmured, brushing his nose against mine.

“I love you,” I breathed.

“Love you back, babe.”He stroked his hands down my back before squeezing my ass.“Give me five minutes, and I’ll be able to have lunch with my girls.”

“Take your time.We’re early.”I stole another kiss and pushed at his thick chest.“Get back to work, slacker.”

“Go sit down at our booth.I’ll bring your food.”

I waited until he was back in the kitchen before moving behind the counter to grab drinks for us.Iris and I had lunch with Kingston every day he worked.I didn’t expect anyone to wait on us when I could get what we needed on my own.

Noticing the coffee was running low, I started two fresh pots while I was getting Kingston’s Coke and a lemonade for myself.

“Hey, I don’t want to be a bother, but I’m running late for my interview and I’d sell my soul for a Diet Coke.”Turning at the sound of the melodic voice, I found myself sharing a grin with the blonde standing by the counter.“Sorry, I wouldn’t normally jump the line, but seriously, my soul is on offer here for a to-go cup of my drug of choice.”

Finding myself laughing, I filled the largest to-go cup with Diet Coke and slapped on a lid.When I placed it on the counter, she did a little victory dance, her eyes sparkling.Noticing their unusual color, I gave her a once-over.

Long platinum-blond hair hung to her waist.She had a pert nose and a perfect Cupid’s-bow mouth.Without a doubt, she was gorgeous, but it was her eyes that caught and held my attention.The centers were a soft brown that blended out into green and then light blue that darkened to navy around the rings of her irises.I’d never seen anyone with eyes like that before.

Grabbing a straw, she stabbed it through the top and took a long pull before releasing a contented sigh.“Ah, yeah.That’s the good stuff.”She dropped a ten on the counter.“Keep the change, lifesaver.”

I shook my head, handing it back to her.“This one’s on me.Good luck with your interview.”

“Thanks, girl.You’re the best!”With a wave, she hurried toward the door, and I went back to making the coffee and the drinks for my little family.

It felt like a dream most days, but it was my new reality.I had a large house with more rooms than I knew what to do with.My daughter was healthy and thriving, her hearing completely restored, and she hadn’t suffered from a single ear infection since the tubes procedure.I had a man who loved me and adored my little girl.We’d created a home together where I was given the security of feeling cherished every day.

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