Page 17 of Kingston (Angels Halo MC Next Gen #14)

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.

From the other side of the diner, I could hear Iris giggling with Quinn as she helped her deliver food to a customer.

“Please, I’m begging you, Diet Coke!”

Laughing, I turned, but I stopped with a frown when I saw the girl leaning against the counter. It was the blonde with the unusual eyes. “Did you drop the first one?” I asked, pouring her another to-go cup.

She lifted a brow at me. “I’m going with no?”

“O…kay” I snickered, slapping the lid on the new cup. “Maybe savor this one.”

“No promises.” She snatched up the cup and a straw, placing a five on the counter. “You’re a lifesaver.”

Before I could respond, she was rushing out the door. Taking the cash, I gave it to the waitress working the counter, letting her have the tip. Money was no longer a worry for me and would never be something I had to stress over again.

With the death of Charlie Johnson came a new life for me. Kingston didn’t just give me peace that day he’d let me drive an ice pick into my ex’s evil heart. He handed me a new identity and a bank account that had my name on it. All of the Johnson fortune was now mine and Iris’s.

Not that my man let me use that money often.

He was a possessive asshole most of the time.

Kingston provided a good life, and I honestly didn’t want to touch Charlie’s blood money.

It could sit in those accounts for Iris and her future, for all I cared.

I made a nice profit from selling my muffins every morning.

Picking up our three glasses, I walked to the back booth that Kingston had dubbed ours. Getting comfortable, I sat back and waited. When Kingston walked out of the kitchen a few minutes later, he had our plates in hand.

“Princess, get that tush over here and eat,” he commanded Iris.

“Daddy!” she squealed, running straight for him.

Placing our food on the table, he swooped down to get her. She threw her arms around him, squeezing with all her might. “Daddy, you’re all scratchy,” she complained, rubbing a hand over the stubble on his jaw.

“Mommy likes the stubble, so the stubble stays.” He sat her down on one side of the booth then took his place beside me. Brushing a kiss on my lips, he gave me a cocky grin. “You got something to tell me, babe?”

“I love you.”

“Love you back.” His hand dropped to my belly. “Anything else you want to tell me.”

I covered his hand, my heart suddenly pounding with excitement.

Flinching was the last thing I did these days.

At least when it came to Kingston. That instinctive reaction still lingered with others, though, but I was working on my PTSD.

Group therapy and one-on-one sessions with the staff at Sanctuary helped me more and more every week to work through my past trauma.

Charlie’s evil didn’t get to rule my new happiness.

Swallowing the emotions in my throat, I leaned in closer and whispered, “I’m pregnant. All three tests were positive.”

“Heck yeah!” he whooped, grabbing the back of my head to hold me in place for his kiss. When he pulled back, his green eyes glowed with happy tears. “You’re my best life, Demi.”