Just My Luck (The Kings)

I paced back and forth across the hardwood floors and drilled holes into the front door with my stare.

Where is he?

I glanced at the envelope on the kitchen island and worry gnawed at my insides. When Abel stomped out of the brewery and tore out of the parking lot, I knew in my bones that something bad was going to happen. Somehow I managed to dry my tears and compose myself enough to call a server and beg for her to cover my shift.

A car pulled down the driveway, and a tiny knot of tension unfurled in my stomach when I saw Granddad’s car pulling up to the house. Ben and Tillie climbed out of the car, and I opened my arms. They hugged me and I squeezed them so tightly they both groaned and wiggled away. When I released them, they ran past me and into the house.

My grandfather walked up to the front door and looked at me with soft eyes. “What’s on your mind, Sloaney? Your face looks like a punching bag.”

A watery laugh escaped me as I swiped under my swollen eyes. “Thanks.”

His hand found my shoulder and squeezed.

I tipped my head toward the sky and groaned. “Ugh, I don’t want to get into it again because I’ll start crying. Jared is coming after the kids.”

He shook his head, a fierce line forming between his white eyebrows. “That won’t happen.”

I nodded, trying to make myself believe it. “I know. I know . . . but then Abel found out and left the brewery in a rampage. I’m worried about him.”

“He’s a good man with a smart head on his shoulders. He wouldn’t do anything to mess up what he’s got here.” My granddad’s reassuring words settled over me.

My voice was tiny when I looked at him. “I hope you’re right.”

Granddad patted my arm. “I’m always right. Now I’m off to see if Bug wants to join me for a movie.”

My eyes went wide. “Another date?”

His hand smoothed down his shirt. “I’m too old to date. I just enjoy her company, that’s all.”

As he turned, I smiled at his back. He deserved this happiness. I watched him walk to his car and turn down the road that led away from the house. I worried my lip as the sun sank lower and lower behind the trees.

“Mom, can we play in the back?” Ben shouted from inside the house.

I nodded and lifted my hand, unable to clear the emotion that expanded in my throat.

I sat on the front stoop, willing his truck to turn down the driveway. I checked—and rechecked—my phone.

Fresh tears prickled behind my eyelids as I watched the sun sink lower and waited.

Finally, his truck came into view, and I stood. My heart squeezed, relieved that he was safe and home.

Abel climbed out of his truck and paused.

He took one look at my red-rimmed eyes and splotchy face before his long strides ate up the distance between us. With his hands on the sides of my face, threading through my hair, his mouth crashed to mine. I opened for him, my gasp swallowed by his demanding kiss.

This.

This is everything.

In the distance, muted shrieks from the kids playing in the backyard rang through the air, dragging us back to reality.

His voice cracked through the haze. “I love you.”

I gulped. The riot of emotions I’d experienced in the last few hours was utterly draining. “I know. I love you too.”

His dark eyes were intense as he smoothed the hair from my face.

“Where did you go?” I asked.

He stepped back so I could look at him. His eyes shifted to the side, and my stomach tilted with a nauseating flop. “Jared never left the area. I’d been keeping tabs on him, so today I sought him out and made sure he knew who he was dealing with. His days of scaring you just because he thinks he can are over.”

My eyes went wide as my thoughts jumbled together. “Did you . . . hurt him?”

His jaw tensed. “I wanted to fucking kill him. I almost lost my cool and pummeled him without thinking twice, but thankfully I had some help.”

My brows pinched together. “Your brother?”

Abel nodded. “Royal was there, but it was actually Lee Sullivan who beat the shit out of him with one punch.”

Surprise pulled a laugh from me. “Lee?”

Abel wound an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him. “That guy’s got a surprisingly effective right hook.”

Abel turned and led me into the house.

Our home.

“Right now I just want a normal night with the kids.” He looked down at me, affection and reassurance shining in his eyes. “We can talk about our next steps later. Can we do that?”

“Yeah.” I squeezed his middle and leaned into his comforting warmth. “We can do that.”

Two weeks went by without a word from Jared or his lawyers. I contacted a family law attorney and laid everything out in the open. She assured me that she would fight tooth and nail for us. Given Jared’s past history with aggressive behavior and my previous order of protection, she was confident I wouldn’t lose the kids—it was my only thread of hope.

I leaned into that nugget of relief as we all tried to squeeze out the last drops of fun as summer started to wane. I also realized that Abel’s comment about having a normal night turned out to be painfully accurate.

After that night, something had shifted—he was quieter and more intense than before. Something was weighing on him, but he wasn’t letting me past his walls to figure out exactly what it was.

On the back patio, Abel was grilling hamburgers while Ben and Tillie played a rowdy game of tag. When I looked out the back window, I watched as smoke billowed out from the grill.

I popped my head out the door. “Hey! I think your burgers are burning.”

Abel jolted and looked at the grill. “Shit.” He fumbled to move the patties away from the flames and salvage our dinner.

Lately, despite the lawyer’s reassurances, I would often find Abel staring into space. A pinch poked behind my ribs.

I walked outside and set the platter of burger toppings on the table. My hand found his back. “Lost in thought?”

He frowned at the blackened food. “Something like that.”

I watched him and worried. Whenever I had asked him about what was weighing so heavily on his mind, he simply smiled softly and said that it was nothing. His stress baking told me otherwise—we’d had more cookies, pies, and brownies in the last two weeks than we could eat.

“The salad is ready and lemonade is freshly poured.” I infused my voice with brightness to try to lighten the mood.

He only nodded and scrubbed a hand against his face.

“Chickens!” I called to the kids. “Dinner’s ready. Time to wash up.”

Ben chased his sister, making her giggle, and they made their way into the house.

“These burgers are shit,” Abel complained as he scowled at the overdone patties.

“Are you kidding?” I slapped a black patty on a bun with a smile. “I love that perfectly charred crust.”

He shot me a flat look, and when I gave a cheesy smile, he cracked.

Reaching his hand behind my neck, he pulled his mouth to mine. “I don’t deserve you, woman.”

I winked at him. “Well, that’s true. I am pretty awesome.”

He laughed and shook his head as the kids bounded down the steps and clambered to the table. I leaned over to make their plates as they got settled.

“Abel, what’s the best part of your day?” Ben asked between pants.

He smiled at my little boy. “Well . . . probably watching you two⁠—”

A pounding knock sounded at the front door. Abel and I exchanged a glance as he stood.

“Are you expecting anyone?” he asked.

Silently, I shook my head. I glanced at the kids and smiled. “We’ll be right back. You can keep eating.”

I followed behind Abel as he walked through the house. When he opened the front door, fear gripped my chest. Two police officers stood at the front door with serious expressions. Abel angled his body to block the kids and me from view.

“Mr. King? We need you to come with us,” one officer said.

“Dusty.” Abel tapped his own chest. “You know me. What’s this about?”

The man’s serious expression didn’t waver. “We’d really like to have this conversation at the station.”

I shouldered past Abel. “What conversation?”

The blond officer spared me only a glance before looking down at his notebook. “Mr. King, we have some questions in regards to your altercation with Jared Hansen at the Grand Harbor Hotel.”

Abel’s arms crossed. “What about it? The guy can’t take a beating like a man?”

The second officer’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re openly admitting to a battery?”

“Abel.” I straightened and placed a hand on his arm. “Stop talking.” I lifted my chin toward the officers. “He’s not admitting anything, and he is not going anywhere with you.”

“Mr. Hansen has been reported missing. Recently his vehicle was found abandoned. You and the men you were with were the last known interaction shortly before his disappearance. We’d like to talk to you about that. We would like you to come with us right now.”

I didn’t miss the way the officer’s fingertips brushed his handcuffs. The gesture spoke volumes.

“No!” I shouted. Panic zipped through me.

Abel shook his head. “Sloane, it’s fine. I’ll go with them.” He looked between the officers. “They just want to talk.”

The second officer stepped forward. “This way.”

I watched in horror as shame consumed the man I loved. Before my own eyes, he was transformed.

My eyes bounced between his, desperately trying to understand what was happening.

From behind, Ben pushed past me, clinging to Abel’s leg. “Stop! Please. Please don’t go!”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Abel’s eyes pleaded with me. “Ben. This is just a misunderstanding. I’m going to talk with them. It’s going to be okay.”

Ben cried out and tightened his grip.

I carefully pried my wailing son from Abel’s leg. “I’m calling the lawyer. Just don’t say anything. We’ll figure this out.”

Abel only nodded.

In his truck, he followed behind the squad car, and I watched in horror as they drove away.