Page 122 of Dead End

With a reluctant sigh, Gun tugged a card from his shirt pocket. “You’re lucky I adore you.”

Kane joined me on the porch as the other three walked to the truck.

“You didn’t scratch Gary, did you?”

“Your truck has exactly the same number of scratches as when I borrowed it.”

“How can you be sure?”

He smirked. “Josephine insisted on counting them. She tried to take photos with her phone to keep a record of them, but I told her that wouldn’t be necessary.”

I observed the dozen boxes still in the back of the truck. “We should probably help them, right?”

He slid an arm around my waist. “In a minute. Let’s just enjoy this moment.”

I arched an eyebrow. “The moment of letting our friends do the heavy lifting?”

“The moment of officially moving in together. Who would’ve guessed a demon prince of hell and a goddess of the underworld would find love in a small mortal town, yet here we are?”

Pops had only trained me in how to defend my life. He hadn’t taught me how to live it. That part I’d figured out on my own. “All’s well that ends well,” I said.

“End? No, no, my inamorata.” He tugged me into a tight embrace. “Our story is only just beginning.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I setthe table with my best plates, which basically meant the only four plates that matched and weren’t chipped that I purchased at Goran’s favorite thrift store. I was Melinoe—goddess of ghosts, nightmares, and bargain shopping.

“Would you mind skimming the moat when you get a chance? It has a layer of dead bugs.” Thanks to my burgeoning belly, my equilibrium was no longer reliable. With my luck, I’d land facedown in the water and the force of that splash might just relieve the moat of all its water.

From behind me, Kane’s arms slid around my waist to cradle my stomach. “A shame Goran isn’t cursed anymore. We could’ve let him go to town on the moat.”

“I’m pretty sure Goran prefers his new habitat.” The former Slavic vodyanoy was now the proud owner of the Devil’s Playground and was living his best life in Kane’s old lair. He and Alessandro had become best buddies whose favorite pastime was tormenting Josie.

Kane spun me around to face him and planted a kiss on my lips. “And I prefer mine.”

“I’m glad. I thought you might miss the lair.”

He gave my backside an affectionate squeeze. “I have everything I want right here.”

I patted my stomach. “I think you might have gotten more than you bargained for.”

“Oh, I did. And I still can’t believe my luck.” His kiss didn’t stay tender for long. “My wife has never looked sexier.” He lifted me off the floor like I was weightless and sat me on the table.

“I think you have the wrong spread in mind, husband.”

His lips worked their way to my collarbone. “We can move the plates.”

“Are you trying to get me pregnant again? Because I hate to break the news, but this one is still marinating.”

“We’re a goddess and a demon. Who knows what we’re capable of?”

I eased off the table. “Down, demon. Save the lust for later. My parents will be here any minute, and I don’t think Hades will appreciate a front row seat to his daughter’s sex life.” That simple phrase took my breath away.

My parents. Here.

“You make an excellent point.” Kane kissed me one more time. “Should we ask Claude to skim the moat?”

“Good idea. Any idea where he is?”

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