Page 128 of Executing Malice

The girls’ ear-splitting shriek follows us as we pass the pair and continue to the Ferris wheel.

“Oh, I can’t wait,” Dante sighs, slipping an arm around my middle and hauling me into his side. “And my princess would never.”

I snort and roll my eyes. “Not even born and already getting coddled.”

“Look, she’s going to have two parents who love the shit out of her. Who look after her, protect her and raise her to be a functional member of society. Sure, she’ll do stupid stuff, test boundaries, but that’s how you learn, and we’ll be there when she needs us.”

Head nestled on his shoulder, I tilt my face up to his. “And if it’s a boy?”

“Same thing. I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. Point is, we’re going to be great parents, baby. Our kids are going to be soloved and wanted.”

I’m thinking how nice that sounds when my name gets shouted over the din. My head turns, but Dante is faster.

He jerks me in the opposite direction, arms crushing me as he puts himself between me and the twin demons with water pistols.

Over my head, he grunts as he takes the assault meant for me. His arms unfold as he crumples to the ground with a dramatic cry of anguish.

“They got me!” he wails.

Several feet away at the water game station, Jeremy and Logan Rowe roar in triumph. The water guns anchored to the booth by rusted chains clatter as they hold them over their heads.

At my feet Dante plays dead which only amuses the two to no end.

“Boys!” Still in her Mama May’s uniform, Kimmie wrestles the guns from her twins and glowers down at their grinning faces. “You can’t spray people!”

Revived, Dante leaps to his feet, hands dusting his backside.

“No harm done,” he assures her, then says, “Hey, I remember you.” He turns to me but gestures to Kimmie. “She’s the one who told me you like the fried chicken.”

I introduce the group.

Kimmie makes the boys apologize, but Dante waves it away. Instead, he sprints to the games and demands they showhim how it works. The boys scramble after him, as delighted as he is, leaving me alone with a tired-faced and mildly amused Kimmie.

“He seems really nice,” she remarks.

I fold my arms and watch Dante’s wet back. “Yeah, he is.”

She nudges me playfully with an elbow. “I heard what he said to Dolores. I wasn’t there but I would give up a week of pay to see it.”

I can only offer a grunt as I try not to let my brain spiral with all the what-ifs. “He’s certainly vocal.”

“Maybe we need more vocal, hm?” Her head cocks as we both watch Dante badly lose to the boys in a game I could have won with my eyes closed. “Sure is good with kids, though.”

She gives me a wicked little grin that has my cheeks warming.

“Actually, before I forget, can you do me a huge favor?”

After explaining the candy incident, Kimmieawsloudly and claps a hand over her chest.

“What a sweetheart. Of course I’ll grab those on my way home.”

I’m just thanking her when the team returns. Somehow, Dante is even wetter. Logan is a close second with Jeremy grinning like he’s the king of the world.

“Jeremy Rowe! You have some explaining to do.”

I take Dante’s hand, and we leave the trio with a wave.

That seems to be the consensus with most of the people we encounter. Despite his rough, tattooed exterior, everyone seems to love him, and he just fits. He adapts. He asks the right questions and answers in a way people respond to.