Page 258 of Labor of Love

“All good?”

“It is. He wants chocolate croissants.”

“Cool. I think I want an eclair as big as my head.” Kevin chuckled. “I’m a sucker for choux and pastry cream.”

“Ooh. If they have more than one, I’ll take a couple of those too.”

“That is a good choice,” Kevin said, and soon they were pulling up outside the bakery. It really didn’t take any time at all. “Okay, wait in the car for just a minute while I check everything out,” Kevin said. “I don’t really want this going the same way it went with Starry that time.”

“You got it.” When Kevin got out of the car, he locked the doors again, and Reed sat there while Kevin made his way into the bakery to check things out. He came back just a few minutes later opening the door for Reed to step out. “Looks like everything is all right. I remember what your dad looks like from the peace meetings with Des, and I don’t see him or your brothers.”

“Thanks, Kevin.” He didn’t want to see any of them ever again.

It still felt super weird to have even the suggestion of a bodyguard, but he really didn’t want to go back to his family’s clan, so Reed was grateful. He headed into the bakery, the smell of it almost overwhelming him. His morning sickness was pretty much over save the occasional bout with something that truly surprised him, and the bakery had this intense scent of baking bread and spices and sweet cream. He walked to the counter, smiling at the young lady behind it. He wasn’t familiar with her, but he hadn’t been out and about too much lately.

“May I help you?” she asked.

“Do you have any spice cake?”

“We do. You have whole cakes or slices.”

“Oh, I want a whole one to take home please. And a slice for on the way home.” He could tell she was family and not human, so he patted his belly. “I’m eating for two.”

Her polite smile widened. “Congratulations. Can I get you anything else?”

“I need a dozen chocolate croissants if you have them, and my friend here would like an eclair as big as his head. If you have more than one of those, I would like a couple to take home too.”

She laughed. “I can do all of that. Give me a minute to get it all bagged up. Would you like something to drink?”

“Do you have any herbal tea?”

“We have peppermint, or we have hibiscus.”

“Hibiscus, please. That will go great with the pastries and cake.”

“Perfect.” She walked to the back, and he turned to study some of the art on the walls. The owner’s daughter, Casey McAlister, was a fine arts student, and she sold her paintings here.

The door opened, the bell ringing, and he looked up, freezing when he saw who walked through the door.

His father.

Panic struck him first, and he looked for a place to run, but there really wasn’t one.

Hamish! Hamish, my father is here! Help!He cried out across the bond, making a desperate plea.

“There you are, you worthless boy!” His father advanced on him, anger on his florid face. “Making me hunt you. Making me sign a peace with the DeBeques!”

He reached for Reed, but Kevin stepped between them. “Not on my watch, old man.”

His father sneered. “Can’t even fight your own battles. Still. Absolutely pointless child.”

And suddenly, rage built in his chest. He wasn’t worthless, and he was an omega father now. He would protect his child from this furious, mean old dragon.

“I am not worthless,” he snarled, his dragon form trying to push through. He could feel scales popping up all over him. “I am Reed, mate of Hamish. I am a ranked member of the DeBeque clan! And I am not afraid of you!”

His father actually took a step back, and the girl behind the counter cheered.

Kevin chuckled, even as he stayed between Reed and his dad, but it was the sound of a huge whomp of wings outside, and the shadow of an enormous dragon, that made his father turn, fear on his face.

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