Page 35 of Blood (A Killer’s Love #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Kaleb

“They already know. There’s nothing to worry about. They love you,” I promise, guiding Sam into Judy’s diner.

The morning dragged on as we waited to meet the others, although our little game of hide-and-seek entertained us.

Sam slows as we approach the booth. “You didn’t show them the photos, did you?”

“Are you joking? No, I actually like having my legs working.”

“Have they threatened you?” Sam rushes. “I’ll kick their asses if they did!”

The love I have for her swells because I know she means it.

“I wish I could kiss you right now,” I whisper in her ear, earning an elbow in the ribs. “I said I want to, not that I would,” I grunt.

Who knew elbows were so sharp? I rub at my new injury.

“He misbehaving?” Michael asks as we step close to our siblings.

Sam doesn’t answer. Instead, she looks like I hog-tied and forced her here.

Sliding into the booth on the empty side, she looks at anything but them.

“Anyone got anything to say?” I demand sharply, placing my arm on the back of the booth behind Samantha.

“No.”

“No.”

“Nope.”

Everyone answers together.

“Can I have ice cream?” Belle asks from her dad’s lap.

Sam’s wet eyes slowly look around the table.

“You don’t hate us?”

“Samantha.” Daniel’s stern voice breaks through the others’ rushed reassurances.

Sam closes her eyes, refusing to look at our big brother.

“Samantha,” he repeats.

I stroke my thumb on her neck, trying to give her the strength she needs.

Finally, she meets his gaze.

Neither sibling speaks, but a thousand words pass between them.

Sam nods, taking the menu that Michael offers.

I hold my hand out for one, and he scoffs. “Does it look like I work here? Get your own.”

Samantha gives a snotty laugh, and just like that, the tension melts.

“Does this mean you’re one babysitting team, or can I still count you separately?” Charlie asks cheekily.

“One,” Sam answers, “but double the time.”

I nod, grinning so hard that it hurts my cheeks when Samantha slides her hand onto my thigh under the table.

“You heard the lady,” I agree.

A young girl approaches the table with a pad of paper and pen in her hands. “Welcome to Judy’s. What can I get you?”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t little June bug,” I greet. “I told your grandmother you’d look adorable with those braces.”

June blushes at my words, hiding behind her long bangs.

I nudge whoever’s foot is closest to my left shoe.

“I didn’t even notice,” Lara joins in.

I kick Michael under the table next.

“Not too bulky. They look great,” he approves.

June’s smile gets bigger and bigger.

“Thanks,” she replies brightly. “What can I get you?”

“I want cake,” Belle declares.

“Remember what Daddy said,” Daniel coaches.

But his daughter ignores him in favor of the coloring book in front of her.

“Belle, you can have cake, but that means no milkshake.”

That gets her attention.

“No,” she whines.

“Cake or milkshake?” Daniel asks.

His daughter flops back against his chest on the verge of a tantrum. While the two parents calm her down, the rest of the table puts our order in.

“Lemon cheesecake, please,” I order for myself.

“Oh, I think George just had the last piece. We have another full cake in the back fridge, but I think Grandma is saving it for a large group we have tomorrow.”

June twists her lips, then squints at me. “I’ll see what I can do,” she whispers, looking around to make sure no one heard.

Just like her grandmother.

“Have you decided?” Daniel asks his daughter.

“Milkshake.” She pouts, grumbling when her dad tickles her tummy.

“That’s not how we ask.”

“Please,” she adds.

“Good girl,” he praises, kissing the top of her head.

“Two strawberry milkshakes, please,” Charlie orders, then looks at my brother.

“I’ll have a chocolate milkshake and a plate of fries, please.”

“So three strawberry milkshakes, two chocolate, one vanilla. A plate of fries and one lemon cheesecake,” June reads out, ending in a whisper.

“Is Rupert about to eat?” Michael asks, peering down at the baby cuddled close to his mother.

Charlie chuckles, nodding.

Sam and I exchange a confused look, then shrug it off.

“So what are we doing about Cooper?” I ask.

The women look between themselves.

“Nothing. He’ll go away,” Sam states in denial.

“He’s not going anywhere.” I shake my head.

My fingers twirl her ponytail, the blond hair thick and silky. I shake her hair to soften my words.

“Not on his own anyway,” Michael mutters.

“Maybe we shouldn’t discuss this here?” Lara interjects.

Probably not, but Sam was so nervous meeting up with our brothers that I thought a public place would be best.

“Maybe we should step outside for a minute?” I suggest.

My brothers grunt in agreement.

Rupert whimpers and instantly starts to cry.

“After we’ve all finished eating and drinking.” Daniel changes his mind. “Can you manage?” he asks Charlie as she maneuvers the newborn out of the baby wrap. Pulling the wrap loose, she drapes it over her shoulders, concealing herself while her son eats.

“Momma,” Belle whines, reaching for Charlie.

“Your brother is eating,” Daniel tells her, pulling her back onto his lap.

The toddler does not like that. Big fat tears drip down her face. “Momma,” she cries, reaching for Charlie again.

My heart shatters.

“Belle, Rupert needs Mommy right now. Can you help Daddy color this butterfly?”

“Nooo,” she wails, shaking her head. Brown curls spiral out.

“How do you say no to that?” I whisper, ready to give the little girl anything she wants.

“He rarely does,” Charlie answers.

She leans over to kiss his bicep. Pulling back the wrap, she shows her husband their baby boy. Daniel nods as if it strengthens his resolve.

“He’s eating well,” he praises, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

We rally around the table and manage to distract Belle long enough for her milkshake to arrive. Drinking happily, she forgets about her brother.

As I look around the table, a sense of hope settles in my chest.

Maybe I can have it all.

I watch in horror as Daniel grabs a few fries, then dunks them in his wife’s milkshake. Holding a hand under the milkshake-covered fries, he feeds them to her waiting lips.

Sam and I have the same look of disbelief.

“That’s disgusting,” she mutters.

Daniel cradles Charlie’s face, then leans down and kisses her.

“No, that’s disgusting,” I argue. “She has a mouth full of food.”

“Not anymore,” Daniel corrects, chewing what he just stole.

“I feel like we’re intruding,” I whisper.

“You are,” he agrees, feeding his wife again.

This goes on until Charlie signals she’s done.

Bored of sitting with her parents, Belle reaches for me. Although the lemon cheesecake on the table in front of me might have something to do with it.

Daniel hands Belle over the table to Samantha. With the two parents lost in their own world, Sam and I happily feed Belle spoonsful of cheesecake while talking to Michael and Lara.

After Rupert is burped and both kids settled, my brothers and I stand to talk where it’s a little quieter.

Seeing Sam distracted with our niece, I kiss my girl’s cheek, happy when no reprimand comes.

Cold air tapers my temper, but it’s not enough to cool the killer inside. “Cooper’s a dead man.”

We walk toward the pavement, near the empty cars.

“We need to think about this,” Michael starts, ever the voice of reason.

“I’m with Kaleb.”

I hold my hand out to high-five Daniel. My oldest brother stares at my hand before punching it.

“Close enough.” He did agree with me, after all.

“We have the messages to Sam from his phone if he suddenly goes missing . . .” Michael doesn’t need to finish his sentence.

“Fuck,” I whisper-yell. “How many lives does this fucker have?”

“Michael”—Daniel sighs—“he needs to go.”

Michael huffs, turning away. A smile lights up his face. Turning to the window, we see Lara feeding Charlie more milkshake-dipped fries, and Rupert resting peacefully in her arms. Sam and Belle cheer on the other side of the table like a pair of cheerleaders.

“He needs to go,” Daniel repeats, his eyes anchored to his wife.

Michael shakes his head. I have a feeling it’s going to be a while before we can all agree on how to deal with the fucking cockroach.

“I just want to say thank you for today.” I nod back toward the girls. “Sam was practically hyperventilating on the way here. I thought you’d throw at least one punch if I’m honest,” I confess with a small laugh.

“Why?” Daniel frowns. “You love her?”

“I do.” I nod.

“She loves you?”

I cringe. “God, I hope so.”

Michael shrugs. “And we love you both.”

Daniel nods like that’s all the explanation needed, and I guess it is.

“So neither of you want to hit me?” I double-check.

“Should we?” Daniel frowns, turning back to his family.

“Yes!”

“Why?” Michael asks.

“Because I fucked your sister,” I snap. I guess I don’t fully understand their lack of disapproval after all.

Daniel stops moving, his hand held high as he returns Belle’s wave.

“Politely,” I rush, but both men stare blankly, “can we go back to you not wanting to punch me in the face?”

“No,” Daniel says, shaking his head and taking a step toward me.

The sound of a car idling close by draws our attention. Thank fuck!

Seeing Cooper in the driver’s seat, I curse.

Motherfucker, today is not the day.

“Kaleb,” Michael warns, but it falls on deaf ears.

Cooper rolls to a stop in the parking lot, pressing his window down.

“You stopped fucking your sister long enough to eat?” he calls out.

A few people close by stop and stare.

Michael’s hand lands on my chest, but it’s not enough. Daniel’s hand joins Michael’s when I continue to approach the beat-up car.

“Let him go. Not the time, not the place,” he tells me lowly.

My chest heaves.

Never have I wanted to kill someone this much.

Not getting the response he wants, Cooper takes it up a notch.

Sticking his head out of the window, he starts to sing the chorus to “Sweet Home Alabama,” turning his radio up. The music blares from his speakers.

He’s lost his fucking mind! He looks demented.

Daniel moves to stand in front of me, his restraining hand no longer keeping me rooted. “He’ll get his,” he promises.

“Cooper, what are you doing?” Sheriff McCallister demands.

Seeing his old boss rush over from another parking lot, Cooper panics and peels off.