Chapter Twenty-Five
Lucky answered the doorbell with Krystal by her side and Damon at her back.
He’d been such a big help today, keeping her and Krystal company, playing with her pseudo niece, and making her feel safe, knowing she’d have to face her nemesis again, while she pretended not to know everything she knew now.
She’d enjoyed his company and getting to know Hawk’s brother.
He was definitely the easy-going one, ready with a smile and one humorous or disastrous story about his travels after another.
Hawk would be home in another hour for dinner with them. He couldn’t wait to see Damon, too.
Jase had texted that Desiree was on her way back about ten minutes ago after she’d finished gathering her blackmail on the district attorney.
Lucky’s stomach turned at the thought of her going out of her way to ruin people’s lives like it was nothing but an errand.
She opened the door and held up Krystal’s backpack. “I fed her lunch. She’s ready for dinner.”
“I have my own snack cupboard,” Krystal announced.
Desiree didn’t respond to her child. Her eyes were glued on the Gunn brother behind Lucky. “Well, well, well, looks like the wandering Gunn is back. And looking really fine.”
Damon’s gaze shot to Lucky’s. “You were right.”
Lucky smirked at her new friend. “Told you.”
“What the hell is going on?” Desiree planted her hands on her hips and glared at both of them.
Lucky stared down her “friend.” “I told Damen when you saw him here he’d be the only thing you focused on and that you’d flirt with him, shamelessly, even though you pretend to be only interested in Lincoln.
Or Hawk. Really it’s any of them because you don’t really care as long as you get the guy, even if he’s with someone else. ”
“Jealous?”
“No. Furious that my friend”—she made air quotes—“betrayed me.”
“What’s going on?” Krystal stared up at all the adults.
Lucky reined in her fury. “Sorry, sweetheart. Your mom and I had a disagreement. We’re going to talk about it tomorrow and sort everything out.”
Damon squatted next to Krystal and kissed her on the head. “Thanks for hanging out with me and kicking my butt at Candy Land. I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.”
“I could fix that for you.” Desiree had no shame, even after what she’d just said about them being in an argument.
“Mama, when can I see my dad again?”
Desiree lost her smile and glared at Lucky. “I don’t know. I need to work some things out with him and your aunt tomorrow. Then, we’ll see.”
“I want to see him and talk to him. Maybe he’ll play games with me, like Damon. Maybe he’s nice, too.” Krystal looked up at Damon. “You’d be a really great dad.”
Stunned, Damon’s eyes went wide, and then a huge smile broke on his face. He picked up Krystal and held her to his chest, so they were eye to eye. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me, munchkin. I would be the happiest dad on the planet to have a little girl like you.”
Krystal beamed, wrapping her arms around Damon’s neck and hugging him tight.
Damon’s eyes shined with unshed tears before he blinked them away and set Krystal back on her feet. “You’re really special. Never forget that.”
“Can I come back and play tomorrow, Aunt Lucky?”
“No,” Desiree cut in. “You’re with grandpa tomorrow while Lucky and I figure some things out.”
“You never let me do what I want to do. Everything always has to be your way.”
Lucky understood Krystal’s frustration and the absolute truth in her words.
Desiree took Krystal’s hand. “Come on.” She pulled Krystal out the door, calling over her shoulder, “We’ll hash it out tomorrow, and then let it go.”
Not this time.
Lucky closed the door, hoping everything went as planned.
Krystal deserved better.
Desiree deserved to get what was coming to her.
And Lucky wanted to be free from Desiree’s brand of friendship, so she could fully embrace her new life. With Hawk. His family. Soon to be her family, she hoped.