Page 74 of Falling for a Killer

Her blinding smile helps put me at ease enough to climb out of the car. She makes it all the way around to me before I can finish smoothing out my collar in my reflection, but I only smile a little wider at her chuckle. “Alright, let’s go meet my new family.”

I tug her hair teasingly as we begin walking, relishing the way she bites her lip and tells me to behave.

I will... but not for long.

It’s not even my fault.

Thankfully for her, the door opens before we even reach it and Violet rushes out to launch herself at me.

I’m knocked back by a force that shouldn’t be possible from a woman her size, but I hug her back without hesitation. She’s the one that’s brought my girl comfort all her life, and because of that, I fucking admire her. “Hey, Vi. Thank you for being there for my Roo.”

“Your what?” she laughs, stepping back to get a better look at me as a little girl with wavy brown hair nearly trips trying to get closer. “Roo?”

“Long story,” Roo mutters, scooping Avery up to hold her. “Say hi, baby girl.”

She eyes me skeptically for a moment. “Are you Uncle Killian?”

Uncle. I’ve always wanted to be an uncle, and now I can be because this family has welcomed me with open arms. It feels so damn good I struggle to find the words. “Uh... yeah.” I clear my throat. “I’m Uncle Killian. You must be Avery, I’ve heard so much about you.”

She beams, wiggling forward to throw her arms around my neck. “Yay!”

I look to her mom for permission before I take her into my arms. “It’s nice to meet you. You wanna introduce me to everyone?”

“Mmhm.” She points to her mom. “That’s Mom.”

“Hi, mom.” I’ve been here less than two minutes and my cheeks already hurt from smiling. “Where’s dad?”

Avery leans around Violet and points. “He’s over there being a stink.”

Suddenly, a man with a full beard pops around the corner with a sheepish expression, one that doesn’t at all match his burly appearance.

He’s a big dude, and that’s coming from me. “I’m Greg,” he says. “I was trying not to overwhelm you. I know how... welcoming my wife can be.”

She sticks her tongue out at him as my girl’s parents join us. After I shake his hand, I let Avery climb into his arms as I face my future in-laws.

Joey definitely takes after her mom, but I can see her in her Moses’ hazel eyes. They’re both wearing warm expressions that have me feeling at ease even when he shakes my hand a little harder than Greg did, and when Sheri pulls me in for a tight hug, I linger there a little longer wishing my mom could be a part of this. “Thank you both for supporting me when you didn’t have to. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate everything.”

“Thanks for doing the Lord’s work,” Moses laughs, nudging me with his elbow. “Fuck that guy.”

“Dad!” Violet covers Avery’s ears, but it’s too late. Her shocked expression says she heard him loud and clear.

I can’t help but laugh and toss him a little shrug. “Yeah, I agree.”

We make our way into the living room where I meet Noah. It’s obvious he was slowly making his way over to where all the noise was coming from, and when he pauses to look up at me, I feel my chest tighten. He’s so fucking cute it hurts. “Hey, buddy.” I kneel down to his level and take his tiny hand. “Man, you got a grip, huh? I know you’re the one I have to answer to here, so I give you my word I’ll take care of your auntie, okay?”

He just stares at me with giant brown eyes, but slowly breaks out into a cheeky smile, his soft dark curls falling over his forehead. I think that means I have his approval.

“Are you hungry?” Sheri asks. “You have to be, prison food is hot garbage on a good day. Come eat. Joey said you like a good steak.”

Yeah, I think I’ve fallen in love with this whole damn family. “Did she also tell you I’m always hungry?”

I lift him up and follow her to the kitchen, the delicious smells ofrealfood making me cuss under my breath, and when Noah repeats it, I fear they might toss me right out the window. “Damn. Damn. Damn.”

Damn is right, kid.

“Oops. My fault.”

I meet Vi’s narrowed gaze and hand him over, but she softens as everyone starts to sit down. “My kids will grow up to be heathens because of you.”

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