Chayton's Tempest (29 page)

ideas. Unable to keep silent, he blurted, “When the hell did you

two become racists?”

“We aren’t racists, James.” His mother insisted. “We just

feel that she would be better off with one of her own kind.”

“Her own kind? Jesus,
Ina,
are you saying we shouldn’t

be together because of our races?”

“They should just be with their own,” she spewed.

“That is such shit. Is that what your problem always was

with the
Whitehalls
? Skin color?”

Dawn’s eyes shot daggers. “Well, perhaps if that kid’s

mom had been nicer to me, I would have as well.” She held up

a hand. “But I would still want you to marry one of…within

the tribe.”

“So my happiness doesn’t matter? Are you saying that?”

“Of course not! But you could be happy with one of the

People, like
Talli
. You are our son. Your duty is to your tribe.

Your legacy.”

Maverick struggled not to gag. His parents should be

respected. But, they didn’t make it easy. Ingrained in his mind

sat an image of a scared and young Tempest being berated by

his parents.

“I am a son, your only son. However, now, I’m also a

father; and God willing, I’ll get to be a husband soon. I can’t

listen to this. More lies, stupid reasons for not being with a

woman I truly love. All for your own prejudices. You speak to

me and you lie.”

“We’ve lied?” His mom screeched. “It was
her,
” she spat

with loathing. “That damn Sarah is who lied. We just protected

you from her claws!”

“No!” he shouted right back at her. “What claws? She

was a child, damn you. She didn’t lie and like I told you before,

I took her virginity. Dakota is mine.”

“Little bastard probably looks nothing like you,”

Rodney
Lonetree
sneered.

Whirling towards his father, Maverick launched toward

him, wholly intent on ripping him limb from limb. “Don’t you

dare call my son a bastard!” the growled warning came as his

hands threw the older man to the floor.

“Stop it!” Dawn screamed as the men hit the floor.

“James, get off him. You’ll hurt him. Stop!”

Chairs overturned along with the couch as the men

wrestled around. They rolled over an end table, trading blows.

Dawn
Lonetree
opened the door to yell for help only to be

drawn back into the room when another lamp crashed to the

floor.

Maverick knew he could put his father in a position that

would end the fight. He didn’t. His anger demanded

vengeance.

His mother’s screams bounced off him, totally

ineffective as he punched his father in the nose. Blood spurted

and her yells got louder.

He felt her tugging on his shirt but it didn’t stop him.

Again and again, he punched his father and deflected the

return blows. They stood and Maverick used a shoulder to

shove his father into a wall.

“Dad?”

That single world stopped Maverick as if he’d hit a brick

wall. Turning toward the location of the voice, he saw nothing

but the uncertain look on his son’s face.

“Dakota?” Unsure if he were imagining the sight before

him, he blinked even as he walked forward, the fight forgotten

for the moment.

“I…I…I knocked but…” Dakota gestured to the mess of

the house, “I guess you didn’t hear me.”

Maverick ignored his mother who alternated between

starring at Dakota and her husband. He strode toward his

child, uncaring of the hole in his shirt, the swelling of one eye,

or the blood on his face. “Is everything okay? Tempest? How’d

you get here?” There was no car out in the driveway aside from

his.

“Everything’s fine. I decided to come up here. I followed

you and grabbed a taxi from the airport. I’m sorry, but I

thought I would capitalize on learning about my past while

you were here.”

Relief washed over Maverick. Everything was okay.

Tempest was all right. Heedless of the fact he hadn’t ever

hugged his son, Maverick pulled Dakota roughly into his

embrace. His eyes closed as he clutched the material of his

son’s shirt.

“I love you, Dakota. I hope you know that.” It was the

first time he’d been called Dad and it felt wonderful.

“I do, Dad, I do.” The embrace was returned fully.

They separated and Maverick ran a hand over his mouth

as he stared at his son. “Your mother?” He witnessed hesitation

in Dakota’s face. “Well?” he prompted.

“I left her a note.”

“Oh, boy,” Maverick muttered.
I bet Tempest isn’t going to

like that much at all.
Dakota grinned sheepishly, hands shoved

into his jean pockets. For a moment, he looked a lot younger

than he was.

 
“He looks…so much like my father,” Dawn commented,

awe apparent in her voice.

Maverick spun around, placing himself between Dakota

and his parents. He didn’t stop Dakota from stepping around

him but Maverick’s body was alert and ready to go to his son’s

defense in a heartbeat.

Keeping a wary eye on both of his parents, Maverick

was amazed at the shock on their faces. They could no longer

deny it; they knew the young man beside him was his son. The

similarities were blatant.

“My name is Dakota. I’m sorry for intruding into your

home, but I needed to speak with my dad.”

Dawn stepped closer. “His features are such a perfect

blend. He could pass as pure Lakota.”

“Thank you, but I’m not. My mother is black.” Dakota’s

statement was issued with challenge in its tone.

Maverick shot his parents a glare to warn them to keep

their mouths shut. Both now knew that he was willing to fight

to defend his son.

“Say goodbye, Dakota. We’re leaving.”

“Where are we going?” Black eyes met his.

“I’m going to teach you about your history on this side.

These two are your grandparents, Rodney and Dawn

Lonetree
.” Maverick ran a hand through his hair. “Let’s go.”

Dakota looked as if he wanted to argue but instead he

nodded. “Okay. Sir. Ma’am. Again, I’m sorry about my

intrusion.” He bowed slightly and walked outside without

another word.

“Don’t leave,” Dawn said, reaching for Maverick. “He’s

our grandchild. Give us a chance to know him.”

Maverick understood how being faced with a child

changed everything; it happened to him when he learned about

Dakota being his. Slanting his glance from mother to father,

Maverick was wary of the look in his father’s eyes.

 
“We need to leave. Goodbye,
Ina.
” With military spin

and Maverick was out the door and heading to the car in

seconds. “Get in,” he told Dakota once he reached it.

“Where are you taking me?” Dakota asked as he buckled

his belt.

“To meet some of the elders.” Maverick turned on the

car. “You know your mom isn’t going to be pleased.”

“She knew I wanted to learn about this side of my

heritage. Besides, I’m old enough to go somewhere without her

permission.”

“Watch it,” Maverick warned. “That is no way to speak

about her.”

“I’m just saying I’m not a kid anymore.” Dakota

defended himself.

“You’ll always be her baby.” Maverick drove off to the

first home they were going to visit.

_

Tempest sat in her vehicle. She’d stopped at a fast-food

joint and was now attempting to eat some fries. It was difficult.

Normally, French fries were a comfort food; but right now,

they were making her even more nauseous.

She hated all of it. They way the town looked, smelled,

and, most of all, felt. Sipping her root beer, Tempest let her

gaze travel over the area. It was larger, set to attract tourists;

but for her, it was the worst place on earth.

Tempest hadn’t been able to drive by her old home or

Maverick’s.
Baby steps,
she told herself. Half-heartedly she ate a

fry and watched children in the park.

At one time, she’d played there. But her favorite place

had been the spot by the lake where she’d met James on

occasion. Her crush had quickly elevated into love for the

handsome, young Native American. And for that reason, she’d

never even considered saying “no” the night she’d conceived

Dakota.

 
“James,” she whispered to the interior of her car.

Opening the door, Tempest got out and tossed her food

in a nearby receptacle. Hands in pockets, she began walking up

the street. She could do this!

Polite smiles and greetings left her as she wandered in

and out of the new tourist shops. Jewelry, clothing, and more

were being sold.

Feeling better, she headed out of a leather store and

almost tripped. Across the street in the park stood Dakota and

two others. One who gave birth to her and the other she used

to call sister.

Her feet propelled Tempest across the street. Fear and

rage raced to the surface as she saw the older woman point at

her
son. Her pride and joy.

The sneer that filled the women’s faces stuck a knife

deep into her chest. Tempest began to run, desperate to get

there. She had to wait for a few cars to pass by and her anxiety

increased tenfold.

“…Ugly like your
whorin
’ mom!” The hurtful words

reached Tempest.

“Hey, you!” Tempest shouted, a cry that grabbed the

attention of everyone in the vicinity. She barreled her way

across the rest of the distance to halt in front of her son. “Who

the fuck do you think you are talking like that to my son?” Her

body trembled as she tried not to hit the woman.

“Sarah?” the younger woman questioned. “Is it really

you?”

Tempest ignored her. She kept her eyes on the woman

she believed to be more of a threat. She was like a mother

grizzly protecting her cub.

“Mom?” Dakota asked from behind her.

“Get away from here,
Dak
. Stay away from this bitch.”

Tempest never took her eyes from Carol Whitehall, the mother

who had given her away. The mother who had disowned her.

“Why did you come back, Sarah?” Carol snarled, her

gnarled fingers curling like talons.

 
“I swore I wouldn’t but when my son decided to come

here, I knew I had to.” Tempest reached behind her for
Dak
;

she needed to touch him to reassure herself he was there. Once

she felt him, her hands dropped to her sides.

“Take him,” her birth mother scoffed. “We don’t want

bastard children here, anyway.”

SMACK!

Tempest backhanded her before the statement faded

from the air. “Fuck you, bitch! Talk about my son like that