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“May I help you?” he asked.

The woman blinked several times, her expression melting from one of determination to one of shock and awe. Her lips moved soundlessly, her eyes darting between him and Moira, who had straightened off his arm and angled her body to show off her pregnant belly while trying to shield him.

He almost chuckled, but swallowed it back and draped his arm protectively around Moira’s shoulders. “I apologize, but do we know you?”

“N-no. I-I…” The woman cleared her throat, struggling to gather her composure beneath his scrutinizing gaze. “I may have the wrong address. You wouldn’t know anyone by the name of Bryce Hampton by chance?”

Shaye didn’t flinch at the name, but as he stared at the woman, he realized he wouldn’t be able to lie. “Bryce Hampton?”

She nodded, casting Moira a speculative glance. “Yes. I was trying to locate him.”

“Is he missing? Shouldn’t you perhaps call the police?”

The longer this woman stood on his stoop, staring at him with shameless lust in her eyes, the more he detected Moira’s frustration. He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, which earned him a few more blinks from the woman.

The ex.

“There’s no Bryce Hampton here. You’ve got the wrong address,” Moira said sharply, turning to face him. “Honey, I’m really tired. Would you kindly help me back to bed?”

Shaye grinned, utterly endeared by his beloved Moira’s wit. He may place himself between her and danger without a second thought, but she’d risk her safety to protect what they shared from an outsider without a moment’s hesitation.

He loved her for it.

“Of course, my love.” To the woman on the stoop, he added, “My apologies. Mayhap you should contact law enforcement to aid in your search.”

Shaye closed the door and scooped Moira into his arms. She groaned, but wrapped her arms around his neck.

“What,ghra?”

“Isn’t that Bryce’s ex-fiancée? How the hell does she know where Rihanna’s been staying?”

“Modern technology is a complicated thing. I’m sure she figured it out using some sort of phone application, if she didn’t resort to stalking.”

She jabbed him in the shoulder. “Like you did?”

He grunted, nudging his bedroom door open with the toe of his boot. “I believe we cleared that up.”

“Youcleared it up. I still consider it stalking.”

As he laid her on the bed, he hovered over her, a dark smile on his mouth. “If I recall, my beloved Moira, you weren’t too displeased with my choice of pursuit.” He slipped a hand along her distended belly. “We wouldn’t be here if not for my ‘stalking’ methods, aye?”

“You make it sound so romantic.”

He leaned over and nuzzled her neck. “My darling. You know how romantic I can be, should I choose.”

“Which is always.”

A deep chuckle resonated through his chest as he placed delicate kisses along her collar bone. “Aye.”

As he dipped his head lower, Moira gasped. A faint essence of discomfort reflected in his own belly as Moira wedged a hand between them and kneaded below her ribs.

Sitting back, Shaye caught the ripples of her belly as Terrek moved about.

“Jealous little guy.” She cringed, arching her back. Shaye followed her hand along the top swell of her belly, sending calming thoughts to their son while helping her dislodge a tiny foot from her ribs. “You’ve competition, it seems.”

“He and Chase are the only competition I’ll bow down to.” As the firm bulge shifted and the area turned soft, Shaye grinned and stretched out on the bed beside Moira. “Shall I tell him a tale of magic and Fae?”

“I believe that’ll help him go easy on his mother’s bones.” She snuggled deeper into his body, resting her head on his shoulder, and stifled a yawn. “I think a nap is in order for me.”