“Nope.”
“Here we go, a double and double onion rings for Hell, and a regular with cheese and a single onion ring for Cristie,” one of the girls said, walking out of the back with a tray in her arms that bore all the food and two chocolate shakes. “Vince said you forgot about drinks so he sent two chocolate shakes.” She put the food down on the table, then watched spellbound as Lucien walked over and pulled out a chair, dropping into it and digging into the double order of onion rings.
“Stop eating my food!” Hellen snapped, slapping at his hand.
“You ordered a double. You knew I was coming.”
“I did not! I’m stressed. I eat when I’m stressed.”
“You want to talk about stressed. Let’s talk about being left with a family you don’t know, who just found out the Golden Child’s woman has been hiding the fact that they’re preggers, and your damn woman ran off and left you there to try to explain how you two met. The only damn one that didn’t want to hang me was Harley, but her freaking lizard did!”
“Uuh, do you want some food of your own?” the waitress asked.
“Yes, please. Just add it to her tab,” he said, smiling at the waitress as he thumbed toward Hellen.
“Coming right up,” the waitress giggled and practically skipped back to the kitchen.
“Did you see that shit?” Hellen asked Christian.
Christian nodded while grinning at her.
“I can’t help that women love me.”
“You can stop encouraging them!”
“Why? You have yet to admit that you’re my mate!” he said, stealing another of her onion rings.
“You take another of my onion rings and I might rip your damn head off!” Hellen growled.
“Fine,” he said, picking up her burger and taking a huge bite.
She snarled and picked up her plates and her shake and moved to another table.
Lucien wiped his hands on his jeans and looked at Cristie. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Cristie. I’m Riley’s daughter. Hellen is my aunt. Maverik is my Poppy.”
“What’s a Poppy?” Lucien asked.
“My grandfather.”
“I understand. You’re nice. Why isn’t she?”
“I’m related by marriage. My dad, Riley, married Maia, but he already had me.”
“That explains it.” Lucien looked over at the next table. “Hi.”
“Hi. I’m Christian. My dad, Vince, is Valerie’s brother. I’m actually blood. This is my mate, Addie.”
Lucien offered his hand, and Christian shook it. “Hi, Christian — sorry about that. Addie, good to meet you. Y’all doing alright today?”
“We’re doing very well,”Addie said, grinning while Christian laughed at Lucien’s apology about being related to Hellen by blood.
“Good for you. Glad being somebody’s mate doesn’t suck for everybody,” Lucien said.
