Chapter 60
Several hours later, the Rolls eased to a stop outside a modest roadside restaurant just inside the Snow Crest pack borders. The long drive had stretched far beyond what either of them had expected; the mountain weather had made flying too dangerous, so road it was. They were both tired, hungry, and quietly irritable.
Derek opened his door and stepped out without a backward glance, not bothering to wait for her or open her side. Kira glared at his retreating back, nose wrinkling in annoyance.
She turned to the teddy bear, grabbed one soft ear and gave it a little tug.
“You arrogant bastard,” she muttered under her breath. “I wonder how we’re going to survive a whole week alone together. One of us will definitely end up dead, and I’m placing my bets on you p>
She shoved the door open and climbed out, jogging to catch up with him.
Inside, the restaurant was almost empty. One couple sat at a window table, another stood at the counter waiting for their order. The air smelled of hot chips, fresh coffee and warm bread. Derek was already at the counter. Kira walked up beside him and tapped his elbow.
“You have to order. I’m desperate for the loo. Just get whatever you’re having for me too p>
She didn’t wait for an answer and hurried off down the corridor marked with a little sign. Derek sighed, turned back to the counter and placed their order.
Beside him, he heard the woman at the next spot say brightly, “I want that too, love p>
“That’s too expensive, honey,” her partner pleaded. “Why don’t you pick something else, eh p>
“No. That’s what I want p>
The attendant set Derek’s takeaway bags on the counter. As he pulled out his card, the woman edged closer, eyes fixed on the food, throat working visibly. Derek paused. Then he turned his head sharply and fixed her with a cold stare.
She flinched but didn’t back away. Instead, she leaned in and sniffed the air above his bag.
Her husband stepped up quickly, offering Derek an apologetic grimace. “She’s pregnant. Hormones are all over the place p>
Derek didn’t even look at the man. He kept his gaze on the card reader as it beeped. “If your child is already starving in the womb because of your incompetence, perhaps it’s better the bloodline ends with you. Get out of my sight p>
He took the bags and walked out without another word. He’d barely taken five steps into the fresh air when a screech split the quiet.
“Hey p>
Derek turned, but it was too late. The pregnant woman charged at him like a missile, swinging her handbag in a wide arc. The metal clasp caught him across the forehead, leaving a thin cut.
“What the fuck!” he hissed, hand flying to the spot.
She didn’t stop. She grabbed a fistful of his perfectly styled hair and yanked.
“Do we look like beggars to you, huh?” she screeched.
Derek was stunned. Between her deafening, shrill voice and the literal physical assault, he didn’t know whether to defend himself or just cover his ears. The woman’s husband tried to stop her assault but she clung to Derek like a koala.
“I’m very sure you’re not married, that’s why you think you can speak to people like that!” she shrieked. “I pity the woman who ends up with you p>
“Hey, let go,” Derek said through gritted teeth, trying to keep his hands to himself and not accidentally hurting her or the baby.
“What’s going on here!” Kira’s voice cut across the chaos as she burst out of the restaurant and sprinted forward.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the woman’s arm, yanked her away with surprising strength, and planted herself squarely between the woman and Derek in a pure protective stance. Derek stood behind her, blinking in total shock at her action.
The woman stumbled, but her husband caught her just before she fell. She glared at Kira. “Who the heck are you p>
“No, who the hell are you to put your hands on my husband p>
The couple blinked. Something flickered across their faces. They looked between the two of them. But the woman huffed, pointing a finger at Derek.
“Your husband called us beggars and said we didn’t deserve a baby p>
“Only because Lilian started craving his food!” the husband added defensively.
Kira turned her head to look at Derek. “Did you say that to them p>
Derek immediately looked defensive and squared his shoulders. “They invaded my space p>
Kira reached over and pinched his arm, hard. He hissed through his teeth, sending her death glare.
“She’s pregnant, you numpty!” she whispered fiercely. “Her hormones are everywhere p>
She turned back to the couple, softening her voice.
“I’m really sorry about what he said. That was out of line. But you still shouldn’t have put your hands on him.” She glanced at the driver, who was now holding all three takeaway bags, and took one. She held it out to the woman. “Here, take my portion. I’ll share with my husband p>
The woman’s face lit up. “Oh, darling. Thank you so much. You’re so kind p>
“Thank you,” the husband echoed, already reaching for his wallet. “Here, let me pay for the meal p>
“No need,” Kira said with a gentle shake of her head.
“Honey,” Lilian whispered loudly to her husband, “they look rich enough. They don’t need our money.” Then she turned back to Kira, beaming. “I pray the goddess grants you every single desire of your heart. And I hope you reject this man and find someone much better p>
“Watch your tongue!” Derek growled from behind Kira.
The woman scowled, turned on her heel, and marched back inside with her husband in tow. Kira watched them go. Then she slowly turned to Derek and gave him a look that could have melted steel.
“What?” he snapped, eyeing her. “You’d better go back in there and get yourself another portion. I’m not sharing this with you p>
He turned and stalked toward the car, smoothing his now dishevelled hair. Kira stared after him for a long second. Then she let out a small, incredulous laugh under her breath, shook her head, and followed.