“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.
Hamish strode into the bakery, tugging on his shirt. “What the hell are you doing on DeBeque territory, you old bastard?” He grabbed Reed’s father by the neck.
“He’s my son,” his father gurgled.
As relieved as he was to see Hamish, he was even more furious at his father. “Not anymore,” Reed spat. “Now I am his mate. And Alistair DeBeque’s assistant and best friend. And I never want to see you again.”
Hamish dragged his father to the door of the bakery and flung him out. “You heard him. And if I ever see you on this territory again, the peace is off, and I will kill you.”
Reed ran to Hamish as soon as they were sure his father was gone, hugging him hard. “Thank you for coming for me.”
“Always, my love. But I think you had this well in hand. And thank you, Kevin.”
“Wasn’t going to happen to me again, sir.”
“Good deal.”
“I got all your stuff ready,” the girl said.
“Thanks, Hannah,” Hamish murmured. Clearly, he got here a lot more than Reed.
