“Always,” his brother called back.
She smiled up at her man. “I love you.”
“Love you more, sweetheart. Always. And I’ll keep you safe and make sure you know every day that you’re loved. Desiree’s time in your life is just about up. Then you’ll be free to be happy.”
“That sounds like a plan, and I can’t wait.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lucky opened the door to her so-called best friend with a smile she hoped looked genuine and a heart that broke at the sight of the little girl she thought of as a niece.
“Aunty Lucky!” Krystal barreled into her legs and wrapped her little arms around Lucky’s thighs.
Lucky choked back tears and hugged the little girl to her, kissing her on the head. “I’ve missed you so much, munchkin.”
“Did you make bow-nies?” So cute.
Desiree walked in and looked around the room. “Where’s your hunky man?”
“Getting ready to leave for work at search and rescue.”
“He’s leaving you home alone on a Saturday?”
“He loves his job.”
Hawk needed it. It gave him a sense of satisfaction and purpose. She wouldn’t take that away from him.
“I’d think you two lovebirds would want to stay cuddled up in bed on a Saturday morning.”
They’d made love practically all night into the early morning. She was concerned Hawk hadn’t gotten enough sleep to fly his helicopter. He woke up assuring her he was fine and last night had invigorated him. He’d kissed her before his shower with the same passion he’d shown all night. The man was insatiable and she loved it.
“By the look on your face, I’d say you two are getting along well.”
Lucky turned Krystal toward the dining room table where crayons and a coloring book awaited her. Krystal ran for them, giving her and Desiree a chance to talk more privately. “We are. He asked me to move in permanently.” She didn’t much feel like confiding anything in Desiree, knowing what she knew now, but that was something she’d share with a best friend.
“Of course you’re going to do it. You can’t pass up an offer like that! It’s the best one you’ll ever get.”
She took offense, tired of Desiree always putting her down. “What does that mean?”
Desiree gave her a look that rang with stupid. “The man loves you. What better offer could you get?” Nice save. “Mind if I use the restroom before I go? It’s a long drive.”
“Where are you going? You never said. Hot date?” She waggled her eyebrows.
“I wish. You never did get me that date with the other hot Gunn brother, even though you have the inside track.”
“He meant it when he said he wasn’t dating right now. He’s stuck on someone else. And you don’t want someone who loves someone else.” Like Neil had loved her while Desiree had manipulated and coerced him into doing things she was sure he’d never get over. “It would be heartbreaking to be someone’s second choice.” Okay, maybe she was being a little mean. And obvious. But she’d earned it.
Desiree couldn’t hide the moment of hatred that flashed in her eyes before she banked it. “I always get what I want eventually. And when I don’t…” She shrugged. “You know me. I don’t wait around for something to happen. I make it happen.”
She made others miserable. She used people, blackmailed them, coerced, and corrupted. Everything was about her and what she wanted. It made Lucky enraged and sick. She wouldn’t stand for it ever again.
“And what are you making happen today?”
“Nothing really. Just a few overtime hours at the office. It’s hard being a single parent. Krystal is growing like a weed and needs new clothes, plus her daycare went up. Again.”
“Has the father stepped up to help you at all? Maybe it’s time to reach out to him and make him pay his fair share.”
Desire stepped closer. “That will never happen. She’s mine. No one is taking her from me.”
