Page 242 of Labor of Love

“It’s no one’s business.”

Dante snorted. “They’ll know from your scent. People aren’t stupid. What they are is curious. Someone is going to ask.”

Lothian waved him off. “I’ll figure that out later. Right now, I’m going to look at some bedding. Are you coming with me?”

“You know I am.”

They spent the afternoon moving from store to store, purchasing items that caught Lothian’s eye. Toys, clothes, all the little things one might need for raising a baby. He was growing hungry again when they left the last shop.

Dante stretched his arms over his head.

Lothian hummed. “Shall we go to a restaurant for supper while we’re here?”

Dante looked around, as if noticing where they were. “Oh, I should like to do a little more shopping first, I think. There was a darling walking dress at the modiste.”

Lothian smelled leather and rum and his heart wobbled.

“Lothian.”

Ryland’s voice was just as deep and rich as he remembered. It sent shivers down his spine. He spun to find the alpha standing behind him, brow furrowed. He couldn’t help but remember smoothing that line on his forehead when they were in bed together.

Lothian cursed. His hands automatically dropped to his belly, as if to shield it from the alpha’s eyes.

Ryland followed the movement, his frown growing deeper. Then, he drew in a deep breath, scenting. After a long moment, that golden gaze rose up to Lothian’s.

“Were you going to tell me?”

Dante made a noise from his side, but Lothian ignored his friend. He lifted his chin. “I didn’t think you’d care.”

Though the traffic was sparse, they were drawing looks from the few people on the street. Perhaps it was because they could sense the tension between them. He smiled at an old woman coming out of the milliner, and she huffed and looked away.

“Why would you think such a thing?” Ryland’s hands clenched into fists and his voice was strained.

Tears stung Lothian’s eyes, but he blinked them away. “How could I not? You disappeared without a word.”

A muscle jumped in Ryland’s cheek. “I was trying to give you achoice.” He glanced over at Dante.

When Lothian swung his gaze to his friend, Dante shook his head sadly.

“I tried to tell you,” Dante said.

Lothian’s heart hammered. “What?”

“You’re so stubborn. I tried to tell you to reach out to him, but you refused.”

He looked from Dante to Ryland. The knight was still frowning. Dante just looked sad.

Anger, the same anger he’d felt on the morning when he’d woken alone, burned in his chest. “You left me alone without so much as a word. I can’t read minds, Ryland. I thought you were done with me.”

Ryland’s mouth dropped open. “I never even got started!”

“What does that mean?”

The alpha stepped in closer and took Lothian’s elbow in his calloused grip. “It means I have thought of nothing but what you wanted this whole time. You wanted a guard, I guarded. You needed—well, I gave you what you needed.” His cheeks turned red. “Then, I tried to give you the space to make your choice. You swore to Dante you would!”

“I didn’t!”

Dante coughed. “You actually did.”

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