Page 198 of Labor of Love

“Of course. What is it, Kes?” He rubs a small circle on my back.

Right as I’m about to tell him I’m pregnant, my phone takes that precise moment to ring. I pull the device out of my pocket to silence it when I see Franky’s name flash across it. I hit ignore and swallow hard.

That sense of happiness I was just feeling fades away, and nothing but dread tinged with fear is left. Fuck. Why can’t he just leave me alone? Let the lawyers do what they’re going to do. He doesn’t need to contact me. Hell, if I had it my way, I’d never want to hear from him again.

My phone pings with a flood of new text messages.

Franky

Pick up your damn phone, Kestrel. We need to meet up. It’s regarding the ownership of the bookstore.

I don’t know why the fuck you’d take a vacation from the shop when you supposedly want to keep it. Your negligence only looks better for me. You can kiss The Book Corner away.

If you stop this fucking bullshit and come crawling back to me, maybe I’ll let you work there. That is, if you’re willing to get on your knees and beg. You might not be my husband anymore, but I wouldn’t mind if you were my little whore instead.

The last text causes me to gasp and drop my phone. Tears rim my eyes, and suddenly I’m so fucking angry, I can’t see through my rage.

“Kestrel, what’s wrong?”

Like fog lifting, my anger dissipates. “It’s Franky. He wants to meet. It’s about my store.”

His jaw clenches. “I don’t want you seeing him. But I won’t stop you. Just please, let me go with you. I don’t trust the guy.”

I turn to face him. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course, Kes.” Brooks sighs before reaching for my hand and tugging me to a nearby stone bench. He sits down and pulls me onto his lap.

Momentarily forgetting my anger, I giggle. “What are you doing?”

Brooks tucks some of my hair behind my ear. “Remember the other night when you asked me if I believe in fated mates?”

I nod, and he leans forward, looking me in the eye.

“We’re fated, Kestrel. You’re my fated mate, my soulmate. The other half of my soul.”

“We are? I am?” My heart flutters, and a smile breaks across my face. “Oh gods, I thought it might be true, but damn, I had no idea how much I needed to hear you say it.”

Another text notification pings. Brooks growls when he spots my ex’s name.

A stray, angry tear falls, sliding down my cheek. “Franky won’t stop until he takes everything from me,” I whisper.

“He can’t. He won’t.”

I shake my head. “You don’t understand. He doesn’t want me to be happy. He?—”

“Marry me,” he says, a wild, happy look on his face. “We can get married as soon as tomorrow.”

I sit up straight, squirming on his lap. “Wait, do you mean that?”

“Yes. I do. I have something to confess. I’ve had my brother investigating your ex. He isn’t a good man. Asa has found things that can put Franky in prison. He’s just trying to gather enough proof.”

My mouth falls open. I always knew Franky was a terrible person, but enough to land him in prison? I shiver, my hand unconsciously dropping to my stomach. I rub a soothing hand over my stomach and gasp when Brooks places his large hand over mine.

“We’re mates,” Brooks continues passionately. “I’m falling for you, Kes. I can protect you and your bookstore.” His smile widens. “Marry me, pretty omega. Let me help you.”

Happy laughter bubbles out of me, and I bounce on his lap as I nod. “Yes. Gods yes!” I’ve never wanted anything more. “I’ll marry you, my Alpha. My hero.”

Brooks chuckles, peppering light kisses on my cheeks. “My brother, Asa, says I have a hero complex. He thinks I have a thing for saving people. Fuck, maybe I do.”

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