Mated To The Devil (14 page)

“Why not? Is it the store? We can go somewhere nicer. There’s some boutiques on the downtown strip with some nice ladies’ stuff.”

“I don’t need another store. I don’t need anything.”

“I disagree. I saw the small bag you brought. No way is there enough in there to get by for more than a few days, if that. If you’re going to stay a while, then you need clothes, baby.”

“Then I’ll go back to my apartment and get some. I am not letting you buy things for me. I won’t take your charity.”

“It’s not charity.”

“If I’m not earning it, then it is,” she replied.

“Then pay me back later when you get a chance.” Not that he planned to make her go to work. Remy’s paychecks were more than ample to cover their expenses.

His argument didn’t sway her. She shook her head. “No.”

Grrr. He wanted to growl at her stubbornness. If she refused to get herself something now, then fine. He’d just pick her up some stuff himself later and give it to her at home. The thought of buying her some sexy lingerie more than intrigued him. “You don’t want nothing, then that’s your choice, but am I at least allowed to buy some stuff for our son? I’ve got four years of child support to make up for.” Ha, let her argue that one. Pain and chagrin immediately shadowed her expression, and he felt like the world’s dumbest cur. “Ah, shit, baby. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“Like what? The truth? Truth is, you did miss out on Jacques’ childhood because I didn’t try harder to find you.”

When would he stop putting his foot in his mouth? “You would have never found me.” Remy sighed and grabbed her hand when she wouldn’t look him in the eye. “Listen to me. It didn’t matter how hard you tried, you wouldn’t have gotten far. The college only ever had a postal box, which we never renewed when I had to drop out. Because of who and what we are, we always take precautions and cover our tracks so that in the case of an incident, there’s nothing to lead anyone back to the pack.”

“Still, though . . . ”

“Still nothing. I’m the one who failed you with my drunken actions. I’m the one who should be apologizing. Let me start in the only way I know how. By spending some of my money. I’ve been socking it away for a while now.”

“It’s not your money he needs.”

“I know, baby, and I intend to give him all the daddy things he’s missed out on, that goes without saying. But there’s nothing wrong with starting with some clothes.”

“He doesn’t need—”

He didn’t let her finish. Screw her pride. Remy had rights, too. “Dammit, Mina, I’m his father. If I want to buy him Superman underpants, jeans, and dress us in matching plaid shirts, I will. So deal with it.” Having lost a little of his patience, he cringed and prepared himself for either tears at his harshness or a slap for his outburst. Instead, she surprised him with rueful laughter.

“Fine. You win. But matching shirts? Isn’t that a little extreme? Then again, I’d love to see it.” She tossed him an apologetic smile. He took the olive branch she tendered and just in time as Jacques returned to them, a frown on his face.

“Why you fighting?” he asked, slipping his hand into his mother’s.

“We’re not fighting, muffin,” she replied. “We were just . . . um . . . ”

Remy came to her rescue. “Deciding on which superhero is best. I say Wolverine is the coolest.”

She played along. “Oh, please. Superman totally kicks his butt.”

Jacques giggled, and with the seriousness only a child could manage, stated, “Hulk is the best.”

They’d weathered their first skirmish, and while Remy couldn’t claim a total victory, he felt like he’d at least gained some ground. After that, it took a bit of searching, but in the end, he did find matching tops for him and his boy as well as some other stuff the little guy needed. Although Mina winced at the final total of the items he insisted they buy for their son, she let him pay for it. To her mind, it was a minor skirmish won and totally worth it when she giggled as Jacques and Remy exited the dressing room at Walmart wearing matching Star Wars™ shirts.

“What happened to the plaid?” she asked in between snickers as Jacques swung his imaginary light saber.

“Wrong time of the year. Never fear, though, it’s coming, and if you’re a good girl, we’ll get you a matching shirt, too.”

“Perish the thought.” She crinkled her nose, but he could tell the idea of them dressing as a family didn’t repel her. He liked even more the fact she didn’t pull away when he threaded his fingers in hers. As a matter of fact, she held onto his hand as they exited the big-box store for his truck while Jacques clutched Remy’s other hand tightly, chattering a mile a minute.

Although they could have partaken of lunch at the McDonald’s inside the store, Remy elected instead to take them to the local diner, a hangout spot for many of the Lycans in town. As soon as he walked in with his new family, all conversation died, and Mina’s cheerful smile faded from her lips as all eyes turned their way. Remy frowned as he tried to see the reason for her withdrawal. Yes, they drew some attention, all newcomers did, and given the rumor mill that surely churned about his sudden luck, they were receiving more than their fair share. What Remy didn’t understand, though, was why she huddled in the corner of the booth, making herself appear small and tucking Jacques in close beside her.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.” Her short answer didn’t please him, but before he could question her further, Patricia arrived to take their order.

“Remy! We were just talking about you.”

“That can’t be good.”

“Oh, nothing too bad.” She winked and snapped her gum. Patricia turned a bright smile on his boy and Mina. “This must be the grandson Pierre’s been bragging about.” Under the waitress’s curious scrutiny, Mina shrunk even further.

“Patricia, I’d like you to meet my son, Jacques, and his beautiful mother, Mina.” Unsure of how she’d react if he announced her as his mate, Remy opted for something a little less possessive and hoped he didn’t fuck up.

Mina mumbled, “Hello,” from behind her menu. Jacques, however, perked right up.

“Hi. This is my dada. He bought me a Star Wars™ shirt, see?” Coat unbuttoned, his son thrust his scrawny chest out and proudly displayed his cartoon. Remy joined him, and Patricia laughed.

“Aren’t you just the luckiest thing?”

“I am. We’re living with dada now. Me and mama. He’s gonna teach me hockey.”

“You guys all sharing your father’s place, eh?”

“For now.”

The small talk lasted a moment longer before Remy asked for his usual and Mina ordered for Jacques in a bare whisper. Jacques, sensing his mother’s mood, quieted and tucked into her side.

What the fuck? The silence lasted throughout lunch and seemed to deepen as folks stopped by their table to gawk and meet his new family. It wasn’t until they exited the diner that the tension in her eased.

But Remy’s mounted. He wanted answers to her behavior, and he wanted them now.

* * * *

As soon as they hit the park across the street from the diner, Jacques took off running with an exuberant whoop and Mina relaxed. Turned out she should have kept her guard up because Remy chose that moment to pounce.

“Mind telling me what happened back at the restaurant?” he asked as he seated himself on the park bench beside her.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the whole trying to pretend you didn’t exist and not speaking a word the entire time we were there.”

“I spoke.”

He snorted. “Barely. Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”

“What? No. Of course not.” Her startled gaze met his serious one.

“Then what happened? Why did you turn suddenly mute and look like someone stole your last cookie?”

“I—uh.” How to explain she didn’t want to embarrass him. That she feared people’s reactions when they saw he’d fathered a child with a white girl. And because of a one-night stand to boot. She’d spent four years listening to the cruelty of others, so she’d had practice. Remy, on the other hand, didn’t.

“Mina . . . ” he growled in a low tone. She couldn’t help but shiver.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset or embarrass you.” She kept her gaze trained on their son, who scampered from the slide to the sandbox.

“Embarrass? Now you’ve completely lost me. I want to know why you looked so upset. Did you not like the restaurant? Did I do or say something? Did someone else?”

“You did nothing wrong. It’s just—” She sighed. “Are you sure you’re ready to announce to the world that you fathered a child out of wedlock with me.”

“Why wouldn’t I? People have kids all the time, ring or no ring. If you’re worried someone will say something about it, then don’t. They wouldn’t dare.”

Again she shivered at his tone, which clearly implied he’d take anyone who insulted her somewhere private and teach them some manners. “It’s more than that.”

“Baby, you’re going to have spell it out for me, because I’m still not getting it.”

Obviously, and he apparently wasn’t going to let her behavior go until she gave him a better explanation. Mina took a deep breath and let her fear rush out. “I’m not sure if it’s different here, but in the city, skin color is still a big deal, especially if you’re a single mom. White women with mixed-race children tend to get treated a certain way. Like we did something wrong or dirty.” Oh, the nasty things she’d heard over the years, most too vile for her to even think of. “I’m used to the insults. Jacques, though, he still has a hard time.”

Remy’s jaw tensed. “I see. Did someone say something when we walked in?”

“No, but we both heard how quiet it got. I saw them staring.” Judging. Noting her sin and condemning her.

“They stared because they were curious, baby. Nothing more. I can guarantee you, nobody is going to say anything nasty while I’m around.”

“And when you’re not?” She finally faced him. “You don’t know how cruel people can be. They see me and Jacques, see our difference in skin color and think nothing of the slurs they toss my way. Think nothing of the hurt they’re causing.”

Arms enveloped her, and she couldn’t help the tears pooling in her eyes as he hugged her. “Shhh, baby. That’s all in the past now. I know I can’t erase what those assholes said, but I can promise things will be different. The folks in this town, the people I grew up with, aren’t going to treat you or our son like second-class citizens. You won’t have to put up with the name-calling anymore.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Fucking right I can. Lycans already have to put up with a lot of shit in our lives. We don’t have to put up with racism.”

Mina sniffled. “You have an answer to everything.”

“Yeah, my dad always did say I was a smart-ass.”

A watery chuckle escaped her.

“What did you do to my mama?”

Uh-oh.
Mina lifted a face damp with tears to see Jacques bristling in front of them, his little fists clenched and his eyes glowing. “It’s all right, muffin,” she hastened to reassure.

“You’re crying.”

“Your mother was just telling me a sad story, big guy. No worries. But good for you for sticking up for her. You’re a good protector.”

“No, I’m not. I couldn’t save her from the bad men.” Jacques’ glow dimmed as he referred to the incident that brought them to Remy.

“But you tried. That’s what’s important.”

“What if they come back, though?” Jacques asked, his expression so woebegone her heart ached. So did Remy’s, apparently, because he scooped their son up and hugged him close.

“You’re not alone anymore, big guy. Dada’s going to be around to keep you and your mom safe, as are your grandpa and a whole lot of new friends and family. We’ll kick the a—,” he caught himself before finishing the word. “Um,
butt
of anyone who tries to hurt you or your mom. I promise.”

“And you’ll teach me how to fight?”

“No,” was her automatic answer while Remy’s emerged as a “yes.”

Remy met her gaze over their son’s tousled curls. “Yes, I will teach you to defend yourself but only if you promise me.”

“Promise what?”

“To only use what I show you for good and not evil. It is after all the Jedi way.”

“And I am a Jedi knight!” Jacques bounced off his father’s lap with a shout, his youth and optimism quickly chasing the shadows away.

Now, if only Mina could do the same. Although in all honesty, sitting with Remy on that park bench, his hand laced with hers, her head on his shoulder, the occasional passing people giving them cheerful smiles and hellos, she could admit that perhaps what Remy promised could come true.

Maybe she could live a life where color didn’t matter and where her son didn’t have to fear and she could go out in public, her head held high. And if people didn’t like it, she’d take a page from Remy’s book of confidence—
Screw them if they don’t like it. I love my son, no matter his color.
As for his father? If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up in love with him, too.

“So what’s the plan for the rest of the afternoon?” Mina asked when Jacques finally tired of fighting imaginary evil Stormtroopers.

“I think it’s time we registered someone for school,” Remy replied.

“Aah. Do we have to?” Jacques made a face. “I don’t like school.”

“You don’t?” Remy clutched his chest and acted aghast. “Why not?”

Her son scowled. “The kids there are mean.”

“Mean how?”

Flicking a glance her way, Jacques shrugged and her heart tightened. She knew. Cruelty, name-calling, and bullying didn’t have an age, a lesson she wished Jacques didn’t have to learn.

“I see,” Remy replied in a tight, angry voice. Mina peeked at him, but Remy didn’t look her way. Instead he crouched by their son. “Your mom and I were just talking about that actually. And I’ll tell you the same thing I told her. You don’t have to worry about anyone calling you names anymore. The school I’m taking you to has lots of different people, some with brown skin like you and me, some with white. But there’s one thing I guarantee you won’t run into, and that’s racism. Do you know what that word means?”

Jacques nodded his head.

“Smart boy. We don’t tolerate it, from anyone.”