Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(27)

Elli couldn’t suppress the giggle that came out of her. Penny walked backwards until she was standing with Emma and Jessica.

“Just stay away from them, girls,” she managed through the giggles, the girls nodded, then ran off.

“What did she call me?”

“Big Daddy Adler. My sister-in-law is in love with you, and has a picture of you and her at some hockey thing Max had done. It’s on the mantel and Adina calls you that.” He started laughing, and Elli joined in.

“That’s intense.”

“It really is.”

“You’re really good with kids, Elli,” Shea said after a moment. She looked over at him.

“I love them.”

“Do you want your own?” She smiled, then looked out towards the kids.

“Yeah, I do. When I was younger, I was convinced I would be married by now with a big ole family, guess God had a different plan for me,” she said with a sad smile, than shrugged her shoulders, dismissing the idea. “Do you want kids?”

“I do, but I need a wife first. Luckily, Grace had kids, so my mom leaves me alone.” Elli laughed as Shea shook his head. “When I was being traded, back in the day, my mom would be so mad at us, saying we needed to settle down, find us a partner, thank God we came here and Grace met Jason.”

“Y’all traveled together?”

“Yeah, wherever I went, Grace went.”

“Really!? Everywhere?”

“Yeah, she lived with me wherever I went. When I first left, she would have anxiety attacks and when she came to where I was, she was fine, so, we just stayed together.”

“Wow, I didn’t know y’all were that close.”

“Oh yeah, Grace is my best friend.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“I guess, I’m just glad she has Jason and the kids. I just want her to be happy.” Elli smiled big at him, then looked at the kids some more.

“Are you close to your parents?” she asked.

“Yeah, I talk to my parents at least every day. My dad and I are really close. He taught me to play hockey. Plus, we love going deep sea fishing too.”

“I love fishing.”

“I’ll take you home and we’ll go out on the boat with my dad. You will love him.”

Elli got all warm inside. He wanted to take her home. To fish. With his dad.

“My mom is crazy, but God I love her. She cooks all the time. I swear I gain 20 pounds every time I go home,” he said with a grin, “She spoils me and I’m ten hours away! She sends packages to me of my favorite treats and then she packs stuff for the team. Even Coach Bacter loves her.” Elli had to laugh at that. From what she heard Coach Bacter hated everyone. He was always mean-mugging someone in her opinion. He never smiled! Even when the Assassins won! Shea kept on talking about his family, about all their amazing times. Elli could tell he loved them a lot.

Wish she could say the same about her family.

“I think my mom would love you. My dad would probably steal you away since you love hockey, and mom doesn’t know anything about hockey. She always says it a bunch of baboons fighting around on ice.”

Elli busted out in a fit of giggles. She loved hockey, but she could see where someone would think that. “They sound great.”

“They are,” he said with his one dimple grin. It was funny that she never noticed that before, probably because he always sat on the other side of her. They sat the rest of the afternoon talking about whatever came to mind while watching the kids. When Amelia started crying, Elli went to get up, but Shea was already there, kissing and loving on her.

He was going to make a great dad one day.

Shea brought her over to where they were sitting and gave Amelia her bottle. She pushed it away rubbing her eyes.

“I might have to go. I don’t think she is going to make it much longer,” he said looking over at Elli. She smiled, rubbing Amelia’s head.

“I understand. Grace got at least a three hour nap.”

“She sure did,” he said with a grin as he stood up, Amelia on his hip. Elli grabbed Amelia’s bag and handed it to him. He looked down at her, and smiled. “Did I tell you that you’re sexy in my number?” Elli turned deep red, crossing her legs as she pulled at the bottom of her shirt.

“Shut up,” she giggled as she hit him with her arm. She tried to pull back, but he had an arm wrapped around her so fast that she didn’t have time to protest before he crushed his mouth against hers. When his tongue slid in her mouth, she knew she should have felt dirty since he was holding his niece, but she didn’t. Her hand slid up to his cheek, and she kissed him back just as hard. She hadn’t seen him in two days, that’s two days of no smiles, laughs, or, goodness gracious, those damn kisses.

“Auntie Elli, why are you open mouth kissing Big Daddy Adler?”

Well, shit.





Chapter 7





Shea watched as Penny looked up at them, her eyes were big as quarters and her mouth was hanging open. The other kids stood behind Penny, with Ryan right in the mix.

“Oh, my goodness, it really is Shea Adler,” one of the boys said. Another one was slapping the last boy as Ryan just grinned up at him.

“Yup, and he’s my Unky, are you ready to go yet? I’m tired,” Ryan said.