Page 96 of Hawk
“Watch yourself, madman,” I warned, and the whole group laughed, including Stella.
“I’m just joking with you, Hawk,” Devlin said as Stella linked her hand with mine.
She rolled her eyes at him before I guided her away from the table. My car was parked in the lot, and as we approached, I tugged her hand slightly, silently requesting she stop. Turning to look at me, her bright blue eyes stared up as she waited for me to speak.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, and she pushed to her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“I’m more than okay. I feel lighter after talking with the ladies.”
“I’m so glad. All I want is for you to be happy.”
She gave me a look I’d never seen from her before as she pressed her lips to mine. The kiss was all-encompassing, and I never wanted it to end. Slowly, she pulled back and said, “As long as I have you, I’m happy.”
The smile must have covered my entire face as I replied, “Then prepare to be happy forever.”
“I like the sound of that,” she returned and lowered back down. “Let’s go get the kids.”
I gave her bottom a light tap, and she wiggled her eyebrows at me before I opened her door and helped her inside. Jogging around the car, I got behind the wheel and cranked it up. As we pulled out of the lot and drove toward the front gate, I looked over at her with her hand in mine and almost pinched myself.
Never would I have thought Stella would be here with me, happy to go pick up my kids and looking forward to forever. I just needed to keep Lucian away until we discovered where the mystery girl was, then hopefully, I could determine what happened and how to reconcile the siblings.
Or kill him. Whichever needed to happen.
Pulling up to the school, we waited in the line of cars for the kids to exit the building. Stella was smiling as a soft song played on the radio, and when I heard her singing, my mouth nearly dropped open. Her voice was angelic, and I questioned if she had any more hidden talents I wasn’t aware of.
When I saw Matthew walking out, holding Anna’s hand, I squeezed Stella’s and she turned to see what I was looking at. When they got to the car, Matthew opened the door and helped Anna inside before closing it behind him. They hooked their seatbelts before I pulled out of line and got on the road to our house.
“How was school today?” I asked, and Anna began to ramble about what she learned and who she played with at recess.
Matthew was a little quiet, and I made a mental note to speak with him when we got to the house. I wanted to make sure he was okay with Stella being around and make sure there wasn’t anything else bothering him. He was so sensitive, and I worried he would carry the abandonment of his mother around for the rest of his life.
“Are we staying at home tonight or at the cabin?” Matthew asked when we were turning onto our street.
I glanced at Stella, and she shrugged before I replied, “I was thinking we could stay at the cabin and Ms. Stella could have a slumber party with us. How does that sound?”
“Yay,” Anna yelled with her little hands in the air, and I looked into the rear-view mirror to gauge Matthews’ reaction.
“Are you going to be our new mom?” he asked. Stella’s eyes grew wide, and she cut them to me.
“If I said yes, how would that make you feel?” I answered as I pulled into the driveway.
“I think that would be okay, as long as she doesn’t leave like Araneta did,” he said before opening the door and getting out of the car.
Anna grabbed her bag and got out, leaving Stella and me alone in the car. I watched Anna run after Matthew and they waited on the porch for us to join them.
“Is he okay?” Stella asked, and I shook my head.
“Something’s up with him. Would you take Anna into the backyard while I talk to him?”
“Of course.” She paused before adding, “I don’t have to stay with you if it’s upsetting to the kids. I never want to come between you and them. They have to be your first priority.”
“I can make you all my priority. Don’t take this as anything other than he had a bad day. I promise, Matthew likes you, but he always seems to be waiting for the other shoe to drop after that bitch left us. I promise, it’s not you.”
I kissed the back of her hand before we got out of the car and walked to the front porch. When we entered, I looked around and saw nothing out of place. Lately, I’d had the feeling someone was in the house when we weren’t at home, but nothing was missing or stolen, so I assumed it was me being paranoid.
“Anna, why don’t you show Ms. Stella your playset in the backyard while I get some clothes together for the weekend?”
“Okay, Daddy,” she replied in her sweet voice. Taking Stella’s hand into hers, she said, “Come on, Ms. Stella.”
