Page 34 of Hell's Gator

“Maverik, Lucien doesn’t want beer this early. I’ve got him some things to snack on,” Valerie said, walking past Maverik and handing Lucien a paper plate loaded with donuts and muffins, two breakfast sandwiches, and a cup of coffee.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Lucien said.

“Val, you said there wasn’t any more muffins!” Harley complained.

“You ate three already. That’s enough sugar,” Valerie said.

The door opened and another male and female walked in. “Sorry we’re late,” Bane said.

“I’m just moving slow this morning,” Janie said. “I don’t get to sleep in very often.”

“That’s my brother Bane and his mate, Janie. They’re Daisy’s parents. And Brandt’s, too,” Bam explained to Lucien. Looks like you’re going to meet most everybody except Goldie and Sadie and their son Jobe and his wife and kids. They’re all on a cruise. They’re retired now, so they travel a lot. Jobe finally took some time off work to travel with them for a little while.”

Lucien nodded as he chewed, trying to log in all the names and explanations Bam offered.

“Oh, my. You’re new,” Janie said to Lucien as she walked over and leaned in to kiss her daughter.

“I’m Lucien. Hellen’s mate.”

“Since when?” Bane asked.

“About fifteen minutes ago,” Bam answered.

“It’s longer than that, he’s been staying at her house,” Brandt said petulantly, still peeved that Hellen threw them under the bus.

“Do not touch my daughter until she’s married, you hear me?!” Maverik ordered.

“I thought you just called me son?” Lucien asked.

“That can change in a minute! Don’t get comfortable, now,” Maverik said.

“Daddy!”

“Don’t ‘daddy’ me!” Maverik yelled.

“Ma, please!” Hellen begged.

“Maverik, if you don’t stop embarrassing her, we’re leaving.”

Maverik stuck his tongue out at his mate, then grinned at Lucien. “You love them even more when they irritate you. You’ll figure that out soon enough.”

But Lucien wasn’t looking at Maverik. His focus was on Harley, who was now standing right in front of him with a huge orange and white iguana riding on her shoulder.

“I would like a muffin, please.”

“I heard you already had three,” Lucien said.

“It’s not for me. It’s for Gerald,” Harley explained. “I pick the blueberries out of them and give them to Gerald.”

“And Gerald would be the orange lizard clinging to your back,” Lucien said.

“Yep. He’s my best friend.”

“I see. He thinks you’re his best friend, too,” Lucien said.

“How do you know?”

“Because I speak his language. He’s trying to puff up to make himself look bigger to protect you from me.”

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