Page 156 of Daddy Sees Snakes

The scent of her shampoo mingles with the aroma of chocolate and pine from the tree in the corner. "Me neither, sweetheart. Fifteen Christmases in a cell kinda takes the magic out of it."

She looks up at me, concern flickering in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

I shake my head, offering her a reassuring smile. "You didn't. Being here with you, it's making new memories. Better ones."

Iris relaxes against me, taking another sip from her mug.

The fire pops and hisses, sending sparks dancing up the chimney.

"I still can't believe how much my life has changed in the past few months," Iris says softly. "If someone had told me back when I was working at Mysterious Ink that I'd be spending Christmas with you, pregnant with your child, I would've laughed in their face."

I chuckle, the sound rumbling in my chest. "Life's funny that way. If someone had told me I'd be out of prison and curled up with a gorgeous tattooed goddess, I would've told them to lay off whatever they were smoking."

Iris giggles, the sound light and musical.

It makes my heart swell to hear her laugh.

After everything she's been through, she deserves some happiness.

"Goddess, huh?" she teases, arching an eyebrow at me. "I think the hot chocolate's going to your head, Viper."

I set my mug down on the coffee table, freeing up my hand to trace the intricate tattoos that wind their way up her arm. "Nah, just stating facts. You're a work of art, Iris. Inside and out."

A slight blush colors her cheeks, visible even in the dim firelight.

It's endearing how she can go from confident stripper to shy girl in the blink of an eye.

I love both sides of her equally.

"You're not so bad yourself," she murmurs, running her fingers along the tattoos that cover my bicep. "Although I think you might be more of a god of war than anything else."

I flex playfully, earning another giggle from her. "Hey, I can be nurturing too. Look at me, all domestic with my hot chocolate and Christmas tree."

Iris snorts, nearly choking on her drink. "Oh yes, very domestic. I'm sure all the guys you used to run with would be very impressed."

For a moment, my mind flashes to those old days—the violence, the constant looking over my shoulder, the thrill of power.

I push the thoughts away.

That life is behind me now.

I have too much to lose.

"They can think what they want," I say, my tone growing serious. "All that matters to me is right here in this room."

Iris's expression softens, and she sets her mug down next to mine.

She turns to face me fully, her dark eyes searching mine. "You really mean that, don't you?"

I cup her face in my hands, marveling at how delicate she feels despite her tough exterior. "Every word, sweetheart. You and Allegra, you're my world now."

A shadow passes over her face at the mention of my daughter, but she doesn't pull away.

Instead, she leans in, pressing her forehead against mine. "I wish things were different with her. I miss her."

I sigh, running my thumb along Iris's cheekbone. "I know, baby. I do too. But we've got to give her time. She'll come around eventually. I did text her and let her know that you're not living in the apartment I got for the two of you, and that she's free to stay there whenever she'd like to come back in town. I'm sure everything will be okay, Iris."

Iris nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes.

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