The Chaos Crew: The Complete Series by Eva Chance & Harlow King

Author:Eva Chance & Harlow King [Chance, Eva & King, Harlow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink Spark Press
Published: 2023-09-16T04:00:00+00:00

THREE

Decima

Just outside the Malik family home, I hesitated.

I knew that I had the right place—a large, two-story home with cedar porch furniture and decorations that looked… cozy. I’d imagined a mansion like the household’s or a large, sleekly designed home from a magazine, but this was a more modest building, and one that looked lived-in. Around the side of the wrap-around porch, I spotted a splash of brighter color from beach towels and a pair of swimming trunks hanging over the railing to dry. I couldn’t see the pool from the front of the house, but I imagined the porch would lead me there if I continued around.

Instead, I eyed the beige front door, a wreath hanging there with the word “welcome” written in a calligraphic style across the center. All I had to do was knock, and I had no doubt these people would welcome me into their home as if I truly was one of them. But once they met me… would everything change?

I was nothing like the Maliks. I’d never lived in a cozy house with a pool. I’d never had people who loved me the way that a normal family loved one another. I wasn’t even sure what love was.

I raised my hand to knock on the door, but it opened before I had the chance. Damien Malik greeted me with a wide smile, wearing khaki shorts and a collared shirt with a vibrant Hawaiian print.

Was this how he dressed when he was home with his family? I couldn’t remember ever seeing him in anything that wasn’t on the grayscale, but all my images of him were from his work life. Apparently the guy knew how to relax a little.

A plethora of emotions flashed through his eyes as he looked me over, likely taking in the dress shirt and slacks I’d worn in a misguided attempt to fit in. I’d assumed that meeting a politician in his home would be similar to doing it in his office, but this was nowhere near as formal as I’d anticipated judging by my father’s clothing.

After a second, Malik shook his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you standing outside. My wife would fillet me for my manners. It’s just… it’s hard to comprehend that you’re really here—the daughter I’d spent over twenty years thinking that we lost.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Enough of my sappy rambling. I can tell it’s making you uncomfortable. Come in, please.”

This was the defining moment, so I plastered on my best ingratiating smile and stepped through the doorway.

The inside of the house gave off the same welcoming energy as the outside of it. I walked inside through the entranceway, and despite what appeared to be a coat closet, a few pairs of shoes scattered the entrance rug, and coats hung from makeshift hooks on the walls—over a dozen at least.

How many people had gathered for this get-together?

Malik’s hand hovered over my shoulder and then dropped to his side as he thought better of attempting physical contact just yet.

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