Page 6 of Property of Fox

“Say I agree to do this. What about that?” I declare, pointing to her pregnant belly. “Is the father of your child okay with another man masquerading as your boyfriend?”

“Considering his contribution to this pregnancy came from a tube in a clinic, I think you’re safe from any baby daddy drama.”

I blink at her. “Wait—what? You… you did that?”

“Yeah,” she shrugs, rolling her eyes as if it’s nothing. “Don’t act so shocked. It’s 2025. Women can make choices for themselves. I want a baby, and I’m doing it without a man.”

“Fair enough.”

“Look, I know this is an unconventional ask, but I need you. This book’s success is just the start for me and my baby.” She rubs her bump again, layering in guilt.

“Damn it, Eden,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Her grin transforms into a radiant smile, and I can see the relief washing over her. “So, you’ll do it?”

“Alright,” I finally concede. “But I want full disclosure about what we’re doing. No surprises.”

“I promise,” Eden sweetly smiles.

“Why do I feel like that is a lie?”

Eden grabs her coat from my couch, slipping it back onto her shoulders. “It’ll be great. I’ll send you the details in a few weeksonce my publisher finalizes them.” She stalks towards the door before stopping and pivoting to look back at me. “Make sure you answer your phone, Foxy.” She blows a kiss at me and to Bruce. “See you soon,” she coos before opening the door and exiting out of my place like she didn’t just guilt trip me to play her fake boyfriend.

“What the fuck did I just agree to?” I ask Bruce.

BREA

Two weeks.Two long, suffocating weeks since I last saw Keira. After my standoff with Tank, he has been keeping me on a tight leash. If I'm not at work, I am stuck at home. Tank has even gone so far as to ensure that one of his club's prospects follows me to work. Every time I step out of the shop, I expect to see that puppy-eyed prospect lurking around the corner, ready to report back to Tank like a spy. I try to keep my head down, avoiding unnecessary trouble, but the frustration bubbles beneath my skin like poison. Tank has always been controlling. First of mymom, and then as I got older, he set his sights on me. It was subtle at first with early curfews, but it grew into more. Showing up randomly when he knew I was out with friends, and refusing to pay for me to go to college, insisting my mom needed me to work to help out with the bills. Guilt tripping me to stay behind while my friends went out into the world.

Today is no different. I just wrap up an order when I hear the bell over the door ding. My gaze snaps to the entrance as a familiar figure steps through the doorway.

Keira's hair dances in the wind, strands framing her face. Her eyes scan the surroundings until they meet mine.

"Hey," she greets casually, as if weeks of tension and silence hadn't separated us.

"Hey," I respond, attempting to steady my voice.

"I couldn't wait any longer." Her tone carries a fiery determination. "I came to check on you. You stopped texting me back."

Her concern etched on her features tightens my chest.

"I didn't want to get you dragged into this mess," I reply, glancing over my shoulder to ensure the prospect isn’t lurking nearby. The last thing I need is for Tank to find out Keira has been here. "You know how he is."

She crosses her arms and steps closer, her defiance palpable in the air between us. "If he thinks he can keep me away from you, he’s got another thing coming."

Her words wrap around me like a lifeline. "You need to be careful, Keira. He doesn't play games."

"And neither do I," she retorts, fire lighting her eyes as the afternoon sun shines off her leather jacket. She looks fierce, untouchable, completely unafraid. “He doesn’t own you, B.”

The bell above the door chimes, and my heart plummets into my belly as I peer up, expecting to find the prospect in the doorway. Thankfully, it’s just another student. He saunters up tothe counter, ordering a flat white, before heading to a group of students huddled around one of our study tables.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, my focus snapping back to Keira. The intensity of her gaze lifts me, but the reality of my situation looms over us like a thunderstorm gathering steam. “You shouldn’t be here,” I whisper, glancing around again, making sure the coast is clear.

“Too late for that.” She steps closer. “I missed you, B.”

“I miss you too,” I admit, letting the truth spill out before fear can catch it in a chokehold.

“Then let’s do something about it,” she says, her tone shifting to determination. “Let’s leave.”

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