Page 6 of Killian
She was five-seven from her serviceable white shoes to her forehead, and her MacLaden blonde hair added another six inches under the hairnet. Fake black lashes caked with mascara lifted, and her MacLaden blue gaze landed on the coffee pot. The color of her eyes competed with the blue eye shadow, and I had to look away to keep from staring.
She set a cup in front of me and poured, the steam rising from the mug. I wrapped my hands around it and soaked in the warmth.
“Well, aren’t you purrty. I’m Charlene. What brings you out so early in the morning?”
“A hot breakfast,” I said. “I’m Killy. It’s nice to meet you.”
She pulled the pen from behind her ear, tapped it on her pad, and smiled. “What can I getcha?”
“Eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes?” I wasn’t quite sure I could get that based on the smoothie machine and all the fresh fruit behind her.
She leaned her head back and hollered, “One groovy breakfast, Marv!”
“Groovy?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Well, now. You got that sparkly look aboutcha and the fiery, wicked gaze. Only ones around here that eat eggs and bacon for breakfast is us.” She leaned closer. “You ain’t exactly us, is ya?”
I smiled. “I’m a Blood-right.”
“Now, how did you git way down here?” She set the cream and sugar out for me, and I doctored my coffee while I thought about the best way to explain.
“It seems I’m the new King. The last two are dead, the Queen has stepped down, and for some reason that leaves me.”
“For some reason, huh?”
“So, my mother was Delilah Di Gatti, and my father was-”
“Destin MacLaden,” Charlene smiled. “You’re the one Lilah took home with her to Colorado when she and Des parted ways. Has she passed on then?”
“About fifty years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Well, if you’re the new King, what are the taxes?”
“Taxes?” I lifted my head and frowned at her. “You don’t pay me taxes.”
“You sure now? Old Xeno decided we owed him every spare penny we made. Got so bad I was hidin’ the tip jar in my panty drawer. Goddess knows I don’t have a prickly pine hidden under my dress, so he wasn’t lookin’ there. Cass came around once a week for money.”
“I have my own money and funds for the Pride, too. You make yours. We all have jobs.” I was confused.
“Well, now, you don’t have to convince me. I knew your mama. Was her lady’s maid when she lived up at the big house for a while.”
“That big house collapsed last night. I’m stayin’ a mile down.”
“That nice new house up there? The one Zee just finished?”
“That’s the one,” I nodded.
A bell dinged, and Marv hollered, “Order up!”
Charlene held up a finger and went to get my food. She returned, set the plate in front of me, and leaned her elbows on the table. “So, that Axl. He’s a goner?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I tucked into my food, and she continued to talk about the town and who needed what, making me a list on her pad. The last thing she said was, “You takin’ care of Cassandra’s bills, too?”
“I am.”
She presented me with Cassandra’s bill for the diner, including delivery fees. I pulled my phone off my arm and removed the case, taking the credit card from the little slot for it, sliding it across the counter. The two twenties in my pocket wouldn’t cover the five hundred dollar bill Cassandra had racked up.
“Well, now,” she picked it up and took it to the register. “Mighty fine doin’ business with ya, my lord.”
