AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s good to see that Winter wasn’t alone all these years,” Jacob says in a low, strained voice. “Her neighbors and friends watched over her and took care of her even when her stepfamily wouldn’t.”
“Winter looks so happy to be here,” Kai says with a dreamy look in his eyes. “I’m so glad we were able to figure out a way to save her home and bakery. She’d be heartbroken without them.”
Winter comes over to us and captures my hands, pulling me closer. “Come say hello to my friends,” she says.
A tinge of anxiety slivers around my throat. “Are you sure you want to start by introducing me first?”
Rising on her toes, she pecks my lips. “Yep, I want them to see how amazingly sweet you are.”
I smother a chuckle. She has no idea how merciless and lethal I can be toward an enemy. All the sweetness in my heart is reserved for her and no one else.
“This is Cole,” she says, clutching my arm.
I catch the familiar uncomfortable expressions that people usually have when they first meet me, but they’re quick to hide it.
“Cole and his brothers were in the military,” she continues bravely. “They run their own security company now. They’re the reason I’m still able to stand before you guys.”
The elderly man moves forward and thrusts his hand toward me. “Thank you for protecting her,” he says.
Grasping his hand, I shake it. “It was nothing,” I say with sincerity.
Winter smiles and gestures toward Jacob and Kai. “They’re all my mates.”
“All three of them?” Kat, the middle-aged lady, says with a surprised look on her face.
Winter chuckles and stands proudly between me and my brothers. “Yes, I belong to them all.”
“Good for you, kid,” Esther says, sniggering. “You deserve an army to protect and cherish you.”
“We’ve always been worried about her because she spends all her time here,” Johnson says, looking toward us. “Winter should’ve been in an omega training academy to hone her skills. Instead, she labored day and night to keep the bakery running.”
“I’m never stopping,” she says with a wink. She glances toward my brothers and adds, “That’s okay, right?”
“Sure,” Jacob says with a nod. “As long as it makes you happy, we don’t mind you working at the bakery.”
“Yes!” she squeals, hugging him tightly.
Johnson, Esther, and Kat watch the exchange with relieved expressions on their faces. They truly care about her.
“I’m coming back here early tomorrow,” Winter announces with a cheerful smile. “We’ve got to make the best of the holiday season!”
Just as her friends start to agree with her, the bell over the doorway rings loudly. Two women walk in with their children and head over to the counter with excited looks on their faces.
“How can we help you today, ma’am?” Johnson greets them, heading back behind the counter.
Esther and Kat hurry back inside the kitchen while Winter scoots into a corner with us.
“Is it okay if we stay here longer?” she whispers.
“Sure, as long as you can sneak some of those pastries for us,” Kai says with a wink.
Grinning brightly, she goes back behind the counter and fills up a box with the pastries Kai wanted. She comes back with them and offers them to my brother.
“Thanks,” Kai gushes, grabbing one of the sugar-dusted pastries.
“Do you like it?” she urges as he takes a bite.
“Mmm...” Kai makes a noise as his eyes close in pure bliss. “This is absolutely scrumptious!”
