Page 201 of Labor of Love

We did it, little bean.

Brooks stands close behind me, before pressing the front of his body against my back. I lean against him just as he places his hand over mine. I close my eyes, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and happy. “Thank you, Brooks,” I whisper.

“Of course, love.”

“Let me give you the grand tour, then I can introduce you to my friends and staff.

Three hours later, my two favorite people are laughing and chatting up at the front of the shop when a new shipment of romance books arrives. Rosy and Brooks quickly get to work unloading the truck while I sign the delivery confirmation papers with the driver.

“Where do you want this last box, love?”

I glance up to see that the last box is my shipment of the newest best seller from our favorite author. Brooks grins, and my heart flips. “I think Zial and Coco deserve a pretty window display. What do you think?”

Brooks chuckles. “Agreed. Want me to place them up front?”

“Yes, please.” I nod. “Just gotta grab a few things in my office and I’ll meet you up there.”

Once in my office, I’m shuffling through my file cabinet, looking for extra fairy lights, when the door slams open behind me.

I whip around, only to have my blood run cold as a wave of fear and dizziness hit me. Franky stands there in the doorway looking angry and manic. His gaze rakes up and down my body. Instantly, I cover my abdomen as if to protect my baby. It was stupid and instinctual because his eyes followed the movement.

Confused, he tips his head and sniffs the air. “You’re pregnant,” he sneers.

Rather than denying it, I place my other hand in front of my stomach, ready to fight for my baby. I have no idea what Frankywill think. It has to be obvious to him now that I’m several months pregnant. Whether he assumes I cheated on him or realizes he’s the sperm donor, either outcome won’t be good.

“You need to leave,” I say, proud that my voice doesn’t waver. “This is my bookstore, and you aren’t welcome here.” I strategically walk around my desk, placing a barrier between my baby and this evil man.

Franky watches me, smirking. “Do you think you can just spread your legs for any alpha and get him to marry you? This bookstore should be mine. That baby should be mine, too.”

“Fuck you,” I hiss. “This shop was my alpha father’s. It was the last thing he gave me before he passed. There’s no way in hell you’re taking it from me.”

Franky chuckles. “What will your new alpha think when he realizes you only married him to steal this bookstore out from under me?”

I shake my head. “That isn’t true.”

“You might have stolen your shop back,” he laughs, stepping closer to me. “But that baby in your filthy body is proof I can easily appeal the decision. If I can’t get this place, at least I have a right to that baby.”

He points at my stomach.

“No,” I gasp, trembling with anger.

Franky steps even closer, caging me in. I’m frozen in place with fear. He can’t take my baby. My eyes bounce to the open door, looking for an escape. With a violent tug on my wrist, Franky yanks me into his embrace.

Snapping out of my shock, I scream in his face, stomp on his foot, and shove him away, just as a shadow darkens the doorframe.

“Get the fuck away frommy mate and our baby!” Brooks roars, smoke pouring from his nostrils. His green eyes flash with rage.

I gasp.My mate. Our baby. He knew.

Scales ripple across his arms. Franky peers around frantically, probably looking for a way out. Fuck, if a dragon shifter looked at me like that, I’d get the fuck out of there too. In Franky’s confusion, he steps back.

Brooks steps forward into the room. His emerald wings erupt from his back, knocking into a shelf and toppling all the items onto the floor.

“Oh, gods. Please—” Franky whimpers. The sound is so sad and pathetic. Unlike anything I’d ever made when he used to hurt me. Franky dodges under Brooks’ spread wings and takes off, sprinting out of my office and down the hall.

I rush to Brooks’ side, and we throw our arms around each other. We’re both trembling and breathing hard.

Brooks wraps his wings around us in a protective cocoon. “Are you okay, Kes?”

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