Chapter 148

King POV

When Alyssa suggested we have a family fun day, I never expected we’d end up at a goddamn petting zoo.

A few months ago, I didn’t even like children. Hell, I still don’t—except for the ones that are mine. And I sure as shit don’t care for animals. They’re filthy, loud, and unpredictable. Paying money to touch something that belongs on my dinner plate? Hard pass.

“King, look at this piglet.” Niko grins, holding the squirming animal up like he’s about to start singing one of those stupid fucking songs from the movies Alyssa forces us to watch.

Alyssa stands beside him, helping Zuri feed a goat. Her laugh rings out like sunshine cutting through the storm cloud in my head. She snaps a picture of Niko with her phone, her eyes glowing with a soft happiness that tugs at my chest.

“Aww, I think he likes you,” she teases.

Niko nuzzles the piglet. “Oh my god. I’m in love with him. We’re taking him home.”

The fuck we are.

We’ve go