A Baby for the Bear (Wylde Brothers 1)

Yeah, if she had broken his heart by leaving, then the world really had ended. Just days after she broke up with him, she’d seen him all over a human female. Shaking because of his icy touch, she straightened her shoulders and told herself she would not let him get to her.

“I have nothing else to say to you.”

The saccharine smile he wore vanished, and he narrowed his eyes. She went to turn again, but his hand gripped her wrist in a tight hold, and he refused to let go.

“You bitch. I put up with your shit for a whole fucking year, and now you act like you’re too damn good to even talk to me? You fucking bitch—” Before he could continue on his rant, he was thrown across the aisle, slid along the polished floor, and landed at the base of a soup can display. Chicken noodle soup cans fell all around him, and he moved away before he got buried in them.

Charlie stood a foot in front of her, and looking at his profile showed his rage and the fact that he was seconds away from shifting. Knowing she had to defuse the situation before it got worse, she took a step forward and placed her hand on Charlie’s forearm. The heat that came from him told her his muscles were contracting, preparing to shift and fight.

“Looks like Ary found herself a protector. Not that she’s gonna need a big bear to watch over her.” The fact that he was making yet another reference about her looks wasn’t lost on her, but then again, she didn’t care at the moment. There was no doubt Charlie could easily kill him, but then that would just open up a lot of problems she didn’t want Charlie to deal with.

“Come on, Charlie. It isn’t worth it. He isn’t worth it.”

Frank had since stood, and she could tell he was doing everything in his power not to attack or make another nasty remark. He had never been known for his restraint, but clearly he knew what he was up against and was actually thinking about the repercussions for once in his miserable life.

There was no contest that a bear could take a jackal, but Frank had never been the brightest male, and his temper and arrogant attitude had gotten him into a lot of trouble when they were dating.

Exhaling the breath she hadn’t known she was holding in, Ary was able to steer Charlie out of the grocery store, although she knew he was allowing it or it wouldn’t have happened. Once they were back in his truck, her groceries tossed in the back, all she wanted to do was drive out of there and never look back, but he didn’t start the truck or pull away from the store.

He had a tight grip on the steering wheel, and his knuckles were white as bone.

“Charlie, please, let’s go.” She kept her voice purposefully soft and placed her hand gently on his thigh. His muscles twitched beneath her palm, but he covered her hand with his and looked at her.

“That was the ex I take it?” He said it through clenched teeth. She nodded once, and a muscle under his jaw jumped. He returned the nod and went back to staring out the front windshield. “I could have torn him in half for what he said to you, and when he put his hands on you, kitten….” His voice was scary low, and she didn’t know any way to make things better aside from just leaving.

“I’m glad you controlled yourself, because he isn’t worth the air he breathes. Come on, Charlie, I’m excited to meet your brothers and tell everyone the good news.” She placed a hand on her belly and offered him a smile she hoped didn’t look unsteady.

He turned his upper body so he was facing her. His smile was forced but still there. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, baby.”

“I know, but when I said he isn’t worth it, that is exactly what I meant. I don’t want you getting in trouble because of some asshole like him. I love you, Charlie.”

He exhaled, and his smile wasn’t forced this time. “I love you too, baby.” He kissed her on top of the head, and she closed her eyes and felt herself relax for the first time since the whole altercation started. They finally left and headed toward Bram’s cabin not far from where Charlie lived. She just wanted to put everything that had to do with Frank behind her and thought she had until she had seen him tonight.

Maybe she wasn’t as stable with her self-worth as she originally thought.

16

Melissa and Candace kept passing around the ultrasound picture, oohing and aahing at how cute the baby looked. Charlie and his brothers were at the dining room table drinking beer, while the girls stayed in the living room.