Chapter 30
Hank
“Are ya sure this is the best course of action?” Kragen asks, his voice strained. “It feels like giving up.”
“It’s not giving up. Think of it as playing smart. What does it hurt for the BlackGuard not to act?” I say. “You can still keep a discreet eye on Duchamp’s actions.”
Ace weighs in his opinion. “He has a valid point. One of my wolves trains in MMA. He’s supposedly a decent fighter. I can plant him at the gym. Let him be our eyes on the inside. If Duchamp does anything wrong, we’ll find out right away and shut him down.”
Kragen’s gaze drifts between Ace and me. “Perhaps we can use the PFC ta our advantage.”
“How so?” Ace and I say in unison.
“I doubt Duchamp will keep the organization clean. We can insist any targets for death be the rogues we’re trying ta extinguish.”
The alpha wolf twists his head left and right. Either he’s disagreeing or he’s stretching his neck. His silence doesn’t give us a clue.
“Let’s address how the PFC might serve the BGS at a later date,” I offer. “Right now, I want to make sure the little shit understands he’s not to mess with Edwina.”
Kragen inclines his head toward me. “Understood. I suggest we keep this meeting from her for now.” He walks toward the patio door. “I should go if I’m going to keep my end of the deal.”
The vampire promises to keep Edwina occupied until we’re done with Duchamp.
As soon as the door closes, Baldovino shows the upstart into the living room.
“Have a seat, Duchamp,” I instruct.
“Care to explain the necessity of this little gathering?” Duchamp asks, straightening his back. His gaze pushes and pulls at the uncaring faces surrounding him. “Surely this could have been handled with a phone call.”
Ace growls. “Not this. We needed to make sure ya have no misunderstandings.”
“About what?” Duchamp asks with caution.
“First, you are not to threaten my mate again.” I spit out the words through gritted teeth. Kragen asked us to keep his house clean. It’s taking everything in me not to punch the shit out of Duchamp.
His eyebrow shoots up. “Since when did you and my cousin become mates?”
My fists clench, but Ace jumps in before I can do or say anything. “Not the point of the meeting, motherfucker. I have a message for ya from the BlackGuard Society.”
Duchamp’s anxiety is quickly replaced by arrogance. He settles back in the chair and crosses an ankle over a knee. “Ah…and what does the BlackGuard have for me?”
Ace and I exchange a meaningful look. We discussed this at great length last night.
“The BlackGuard will let ya continue running the PFC. No more killings though.” Ace’s expression becomes turbulent. “No underhanded shit either, or the BGS will shut ya down.”
“They or you?” Duchamp smirks. “Seems like the BlackGuard has hired you as their trusted watchdog.”
Ace lunges forward, and his wolves jump to their feet. A hard smile crosses Duchamp’s face, but the asshole doesn’t even flinch.
“Sit down, Ace,” I advise. “Our only concern here, Duchamp, is reaching an understanding. Run a clean organization, and you won’t be bothered.”
“And Tyson?” Duchamp asks.
“He’s a grown ass man. If my brother wants to fight for you, that’s his decision. I’m sure if you’re running sanctioned fights, he’ll listen to what you’re offering.”
Duchamp’s upper lip twitches.
“Don’t even think about harming Edwina. If she even worries about you for one minute, your ass is mine. Share the warning with Sheila.” I warn and push to my feet. “Ace, he’s all yours. I’ve got some place to be.”
Probably isn’t my best decision, but I can’t be late. I have papers to sign.
Making Edwina my mate has made me immensely happy. I’m pretty sure she shares the sentiment. Never again will she be alone in the world. We’ve been through a lot of shit to get to this point, and I’m not letting anyone spoil it for us. My beast is willing to attack and kill anyone who tries, including Damien Duchamp. Taking care of him is just another way of satisfying my angel and keeping her safe.
The realtor, a petite fae who helped Qadira find a location for Wicked Ink New Orleans, shakes my hand. I’m pleased with the property the female found for me. My gaze surveys the two acres I just purchased. I can already envision the house I’m having built. Now it’s time to contact the architect, another supernatural the realtor knows, and start designing paradise for my angel.
Four months later…
“Ya not going to tell me where we’re headed?” Edwina says. She folds her arms over her chest and pouts.
I love it when she does that. The small gesture, reserved for me, is something new for her. Since our mating, Angel has learned to relax more. When she does, small traces of her humanity—like the pout—shine through.
“Nope. I told you it’s a surprise.” I continue speeding up I-55. Lake Maurepas is on my left, and Lake Pontchartrain sits on the right. I’ve made this trip so many times in the past few months I can probably drive it with my eyes closed. Everything is finally ready for us. Honestly, I’ve run out of excuses, and Kragen is tired of covering for me.
Kragen has proven to be a vampire full of surprises.
“Hank, a word please,” Kragen asked before I left to check on the construction.
“Sure. I have a minute.”
We crossed the veranda in the rear of his house. I thought of this design when I first met with the architect. Our house needed to scream old-school New Orleans without looking like a fucking plantation.
Kragen clasped his hands behind his back. “I never thanked ya for how ya handled that whole mess with Elijah Ryder. Ya kept my people safe, especially Edwina.”
“There was no need to involve anyone else. Ryder’s issue was with me.”
Kragen nodded. “I also appreciate how ya worked alongside Ace. He told me ya respected his authority while not giving up ya own. That’s admirable, and something we wish ta reward.”
My eyebrow shot up as we stopped walking and faced one another.
“We’d like ya ta join the BlackGuard. I think ya diplomacy and detective skills could be useful ta us. Besides, it would be easier ta have Edwina’s mate working with us. Take ya time and think it over.”
“No need to think about it. I’m on board. Thanks for asking me.”
A year ago, I wouldn’t have imagined leaving the police force to work with anyone else, especially the BlackGuard. Hell, a year ago, I wouldn’t have thought I’d have a mate and a custom home built for her.
“I told ya I don’t do surprises,” Edwina whines.
“Angel, you’ll like this one.” I reach across the console and squeeze her hand. “I promise.”
We continue on in silence until I exit the interstate. Edwina’s eyes widen. “Tell me where we’re going, Hank.”
“Almost there.” The road cuts through a neighborhood with a scattering of homes on one side. We pass a school, and then it’s open land for another few miles before I turn right. The road gets rough, and then I veer right again. Once we cross under the tree limbs covering the lane, our new house is visible on the left. “I hope you like it.”
I pull through the wrought-iron gates, go around the circular driveway, and then cut the motor as we stop in front of the porch. “Welcome home, Angel.”
She’s speechless as she exits the car.
“Don’t be upset with me. I contacted Cash and found out the name of the realtor who helped them. She help—”
“Upset?” Her mouth falls open as she takes in the two-story brick mansion I had built for her. “Ya did this for me? What about my Granddaddy’s land?”
“Do what you want with it. We deserve a fresh start. Angel, I want to make new memories with you. No resurrecting any ghosts.”
She nods blankly and steps away from the car, leaving the door open.
I have to admit the place looks damned good with its double, wrought-iron verandas and tall, louvered shutters. The property includes a half-acre of wooded land—enough for my beast to run free. A seven-foot brick wall circles the perimeter to keep nosy neighbors out. Security cameras are stationed every few feet to alert us of any intruders.
“Can we go in?” she asks. The wide smile on Edwina’s beautiful face is priceless.
“Come on.” I unlock the door and swing her into my arms.
“Put me down,” Edwina shouts.
“Once we’re over the threshold,” I tell her.
Inside, I place her high-heeled feet on the polished oak wood floor. The interior is as normal as I could make it—casual, comfortable furniture, a high-end gourmet kitchen, and even deep showers to accommodate the two of us together. Every inch of the space has multiple lighting that can be dimmed. The huge windows all feature heavy, room darkening drapes. I even had a wine cellar installed for Edwina to keep a ready supply of crimson on hand. Kragen shipped in a top-of-the-line case for us—a housewarming gift.
My angel travels up the stairs, with me in tow, and stops in the largest bedroom. She sits on the edge of the king-sized bed. “Please tell me this is the master bedroom.”
“It’s whatever room you want it to be.” The room faces the back of the house. To one side of the yard, the trees are visible. A pool sits on the right. “I was hoping you’d like this one. The shower is the largest one in the house.”
“Hank, this is too much house for the two of us.” Edwina’s eyebrows knit together. “Ya know I can’t give ya kittens.”
“Not a concern.” I kneel before her. “Angel, I told you I’m good without children. But if you want to experience it, I may have found a solution.”
Edwina anchors her attention on me. “What?”
“Believe it or not, we have Tyson to thank for this suggestion. There’s an organization which takes in orphaned kits. The little ones have lost their parents for a number of reasons. They need families.”
Tyson surprised me, not just with the information though.
“I’m going to accept a contract with the PFC,” Tyson told me over a beer in the French Quarter.
“Why?” I took a swig of the weak beer. Finding someplace that serves a good Pilsner would become a priority.
“Duchamp’s idea has merit. If he has someone like me fighting for him, the PFC might stay honest.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit risky? What if Duchamp can’t pull it off?” I pointed out.
“And what if he does? I could miss out on a great opportunity.” My brother tossed a handful of peanuts in his mouth. “It’s a six-month contract. I can take the risk.”
“And what if it messes up your chance for the AFC?”
“Like I said, it’s a chance I’m willing to take.” He flagged the bartender for another beer. “All I’ve ever wanted was to fight. Sheila made it more like a job. Had I known what she was up to I would have cut my ties. She used me like a fucking babysitter so she could run loose.”
“You do realize you might run into her while fighting for Duchamp?”
“Yeah, I know. But I get to fight, Hank. Can’t you understand wanting something so bad you’re willing to put it all on the line?”
My thoughts easily drifted to Edwina. Loving her was a gamble I was happy to take on. She was worth the fight.
Edwina’s shaky voice grabs my attention. She pales slightly and asks, “Are you sure you want to be parents? They won’t be like us, Hank.”
I know what she’s referring to, but I won’t let it deter us. “It’s a choice they will make. When I was little, my parents sat me down and told me how I was different than human children. I had to accept certain facts—how painful transformation could be, why it had to be done, and how to conduct myself in a world run by humans. It’ll be no different with any kits we adopt. They’ll learn their heritage. We’ll explain to them that they have a choice—remain a shifter or become a hybrid.”
“Let’s think about it. Okay?”
“If that’s what you want. Just know I think you’d be a great mother.” I push the strands of hair off her forehead. “You have so much love to give, but you won’t get any pressure from me. I’ll leave this decision up to you, Angel.”
She leans forward and throws her arms around my neck. Her voice is light and so joyful. “Ya make me so happy, Hank Richards. How did I get to be so damned lucky?”
“No. I’m the lucky one in this relationship, Angel. You brighten my days and make my nights complete.”
“Ya know, the night ya killed Ryder, I thought I couldn’t do this.”
My eyes meet hers. “Do what?”
“Us. A relationship. Damien scared me with his words. I thought I was going to lose ya,” she admits.
“Angel. We’ve talked about this,” I remind her.
She shakes her head. “I’m not rehashing it. I promise. Ya just need to know this. Bear with me.” She swallows hard before continuing, “When ya told me ya wanted to claim me, I realized one day I would lose ya. Death would claim ya soul, and I’d be alone. Thankfully, ya pulled me off the edge. Told me ya would accept something I always considered a curse.”
I cup her cheek. “Why are you telling me these things?”
“Because ya need to know how ya love changed me, Hank. Every day I dreaded my existence. Thanks to ya, I no longer think eternity is a curse. Spending every minute with ya is a blessing I wouldn’t trade for anything. Giving me this amazing house just shows me how generous and kind ya are. But baby, being with ya is all I ever need.”
I lean in and cover her mouth with mine. The kiss starts sweetly and quickly becomes one filled with passion. My beast stirs. I know what he wants, but he needs to wait until I’m done. I drag my lips away and rest my forehead on hers.
“Why did ya—”
I place my finger against her mouth. “Shh. I have something else for you.”
Since I’m on my knees it seems an appropriate time to do this. I reach into my jacket and pull out a small black box.
Edwina gasps.
I open it and show her the blood-moon ring—a ruby surrounded by tiny black diamonds. It was something I found in the French Quarter. When I saw it, I knew it belonged on my angel’s hand.
“You becoming my mate bonded us, Angel. It was an act that satisfied my beast and made me happy, but the man in me wants something more. I love you with every fiber of my soul, Edwina Marie Devereaux. The night I realized you were special to me, we were on the road, and there was a blood moon. That’s the reason for this particular ring. It’s a symbol of the night I realized I loved you. Do me the honor of wearing it. I want the world to know you’re mine. Be my wife from here into eternity.”
Bloody tears cascade down her cheeks. “Oh, Hank, of course, I’ll be ya wife. Dawlin’, ya fill me with so much joy and happiness. But I don’t need Council or anyone else to approve our love.”
I open my mouth to say something, but Edwina shakes her head as she wipes her face. “I get it though. If ya want the world to acknowledge what we have, I’ll gladly wear ya ring.”
Without hesitation, I slip the ring on her chilly finger and look into her eyes. There’s so much love shining there. “Thank you, my angel. If I could give you the world, I would. Anything for you.”
“Ya don’t have to give me anything else. Just love me.”
“Always in all ways, Angel. No more demons haunting us.”
She smiles. “No more demons ever again.”
“It’s taken a lot for this moment to happen,” I say and pull her into my arms. “But it’s been worth the fight.”
“Yes, it has.”