Claiming His Unexpected Baby (Assassins Guild #2) - Michelle Howard Page 0,23

at him with mixed expressions.

Fleur’s was part awe and excitement. The headmistress had a flush in her cheeks and eyed him in a manner that was distinctly uncomfortable.

Madame Tessa’s stare caused his cheeks to burn in an unfamiliar touch of embarrassment. “I’d like to see Fleur’s pictures.”

The reminder broke her dazed fascination and she led the way inside the squat brown building. Fleur slid her hand in his and Sulen was caught off guard by the size. His hand engulfed hers easily and he ended up holding her fingers instead. She skipped along twice for every one step he took and swung his arm back and forth.

It was a novel experience and entirely outside Sulen’s scope. The overwhelming sensation to protect her was almost as strong as his need to solidify his forced bond with Amelie.

He’d have to figure out how to handle them and their false claim so he could put all of this behind him and return to his solitary life.

Chapter 9

In the small section at the back of her store designated as a cooling storage, Amelie stacked the last of the ordered tulias on the hover-pallet and swiped her forearm across her damp forehead. Sweat ran in a continuous stream from the labor intensive work. At least today’s work was finally done.

The four dozen potted plants with their cheerful yellow petals soared above her head as she hit the remote to send the pallet on its track to the outdoor pad. A truck would arrive here in an hour to the prepared staging area and pick up the entire shipment for off-world delivery.

Never had Amelie imagined that she’d be selling plants from the garden center all over. The business had expanded into far more than what she’d hoped for thanks to her advertising and Scarlett’s advice on a strong sales plan.

“Do you want me to do anything else before I leave, Amelie?” Toyja asked.

Toyja had been with Amelie for two years and was turning out to be a great employee despite her lack of prior experience. Some customers had been initially put off by her lavender skin and two dangling tentacles in lieu of hair but her sunny smile and bright disposition soon won them over.

“Everything is done except for some reports I’ll finish up on the comp later. You go ahead and leave.”

Toyja shrugged into her jacket, freeing her tentacles from the collar and offered a jaunty wave on her way out. “Thanks. Sorry to bail but I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m already late for date night with my bond mate. He’ll be grumpy.”

Doubtful. Her Gerelin bond mate towered over her diminutive frame and treated Toyja like a treasure.

When the door closed, Amelie let out a deep sigh and headed to her desk at the front of the store, hitting the sensor lights along the way. The difference between the artificial lighting and the dim glow worked wonders on her mood and Amelie found herself subconsciously letting go of the tension from an intense day.

She pulled her stool close to her comp station and began the tedious task of closing out the numbers for the day. Her stomach started growling half-way through but Amelie ignored it with the intent to grab something on her way after she picked up Fleur.

Their meals tended toward whatever she could get her daughter to eat and rarely anything Amelie truly enjoyed. Nidbits and curlies ranked far down on her list of fine dining cuisine.

The sensor on the door beeped, activating the vid on her comp. She stiffened at the sight of Aviana on the screen strolling in. By the time Roan’s wife reached her desk, the woman’s mouth twisted down and her nose scrunched, conveying disgust.

Amelie rubbed determinedly at the pain that suddenly burst in her head from the untimely arrival. She really didn’t need this. Pasting a smile on her face, Amelie stood and walked around the counter to confront her. “Hello, Aviana.”

Aviana glanced around the building before turning back toward her with a sneer. “This isn’t a social call. I’m here to see what you want for the girl.”

Amelie’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t mean what Amelie thought. “I don’t understand.”

Sniffing, Aviana placed one hand on her hip and gestured at Amelie. “How much do I have to pay you so we can have Roan’s child.”

“You can’t buy my daughter. Under any circumstances.” Anger at the thought had heat boiling in Amelie’s gut.

“Everyone has a price. Do you know who my father is? We can afford to