Page 39 of The Devil on my Chest

And just like that, within two minutes, Rocky had made the purchase, tipped his hat at Fergus this time, and walked back out of the door.

He stood there for a moment, waiting to see what would happen, waiting to see if there was any shred of the devil that had sat on his chest for so long. He needed to be sure that the need to go in and grab all of the delicious delights that Fergus had displayed and keep them all to himself wasn’t going to happen.

Rocky waited, he then he waited some more. And then, resettling his hat on his head, Rocky casually strode back down the road to the office, swinging his bags of goodies that he was sure that Mal would enjoy.

My mate’s going to be so proud of me. I’m free of it. I finally know for sure that I’m free of it.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gods, that steak didn’t agree with me.Mal twisted in his big armchair, rubbing across his tight belly. It was the middle of the night, two days after Rocky had set an entire building project in motion out the back of the sheriff’s office.

When Rocky came back, carrying baked goods from Fergus’s bakery, Mal had never been so proud of his mate than in that moment. Not only had Rocky proved to himself that he could shop at the bakery, but he bought savory treats for himself, and he didn’t touch a crumb of the sweet treats he’d bought for Mal.

There weren’t even any of those longing eyes Rocky was known for as Mal was eating. Rocky moaned and agreed the new savory treats were the best, but he wasn’t immediately out of his seat, heading to the bakery to buy more. A huge success in Mal’s mind.

But the biggest ease of Mal’s mind was Rocky going to Mrs. Hooper with the daycare problem and then leaving it for her to organize. Construction workers had turned up that same afternoon, and so did Ra in his position of mayor. “This is a brilliant idea, guys. The daycare was something that has been proposed on just about every council meeting for the past two years, but no one could work out who, what, or where. This is going to benefit the whole town.”

Later that night, Rocky asked, “Are you sure you don’t mind? The ladies kinda took over, and it sounded really good. Just think – we’ll have a loving community helping to raise our little ones.”

“We never had that for ourselves,” Mal agreed. “I’m glad our little ones will get to experience what that’s like.”

Inside, Mal was conflicted – he could admit that in himself. There was a huge part of him that wanted to supervise every minute of his babies upbringing personally, especially in their early years. But he knew that was fear of not being useful dictating his thoughts and in the end, logic won out. Arrowtown was a loving, supportive, and above all, accepting community and that was the best environment his and Rocky’s little ones could enjoy. Besides, he was only going to be less than a hundred yards away at all times, and that was comforting.

That steak didn’t help me though.Mal rubbed his belly again, trying to soothe his babies. He’d had a backache all afternoon, and barely managed any dinner before Rocky helped him to bed. Unfortunately, Mal couldn’t sleep, and unwilling to disturb Rocky more than necessary, he’d managed to leverage himself off the bed and waddled back into the living room.

I am so lucky.With the quiet of the house broken only by Rocky’s snoring, Mal quickly ticked things off his to-do list in his head. The nursery in their second bedroom was finished and well stocked for two little ones of still-unknown gender. The larger of Mal’s pups was very protective over the smaller one, and every time Doc tried to see, he was blocked by an arm, a leg, or in one case, a butt. Mal and Rocky both thought it was funny, although Doc seemed to be taking it as a personal challenge.

Everything was ready, right down to a packed bag by the door. The only one with any doubts was Mal himself. The idea of giving birth terrified him, although all of his friends had taken the time over the previous month to explain how simple Doc and Levi, who was back from his course, made the procedure. But in the quiet of their little house, the doctor’s office seemed so far away.

I’ll speak to Doc again tomorrow. He’ll probably want to know about this pain, although I’m sure there’s just no room in myinnards for food to digest.Trying to get comfortable on the chair once more, Mal closed his eyes.I need all the sleep I can get.

Sleep wouldn’t come. It seemed every time Mal managed to doze off, a foot would dig him in the ribs. What was worse was the tightening across his belly was reaching the point of pain. Mal was just about to call for Rocky – his phone was still on the bedside cabinet – when a pain so sharp seared right across his belly. He screamed alongside his wolf who was pushing him to move.The babies want out and they want out now.

Rocky came running into the living room, his shirt half on, his belt still not fastened. “It’s time. It’s time, isn’t it?”

“Get me to Doc’s, now!”

Spurred by Mal’s urgency, or maybe Rocky’s wolf was just as worried, Rocky scooped him up in his arms, barely managing to snag the bag waiting by the door.

“It’ll be all right, babe.” Rocky was rambling as he carefully arranged Mal on the back seat of the cruiser. “I’ll get you there, just hang on.”

“Just drive.” Mal’s eyes squeezed shut, tears rolling down his face as the pain increased, rolling through his body. He rocked in the bench seat, trying to ease the sharpness but nothing was working. His wolf was alert, watching, and seemed to want him totake your pants off.

Mal was sure he was hallucinating, but honestly, the elastic in his waist band was cutting into him. Rocky was pushing the cruiser as fast as the car could go, but Mal knew he still had ten minutes before they made it to Doc’s.

“Call Doc.” He panted through gritted teeth. “He has to be ready. Aargh. Shit. Shit. Shit.”

Rocky grabbed the microphone of the radio the officers used to stay in touch. “Joe. Joe. Are you at home?”

“Hey, boss. Yes, it’s a quiet night. What’s up?” Joe was sounding far too fucking cheery for Mal’s liking.

“Wake up Doc, I’m bringing Mal in fast. He’s in incredible pain and fuck, babe, what are you doing?”

Mal caught Rocky’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “Stop the car.”

“Babe, I’m trying to get you to Doc.”

“Stop the damn car, the baby’s coming!”

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