Unleashed by Shadows (By Moonlight Book 10) (42 page)

“I’m sorry you lost everyone you loved,” he said at last.

“Not everyone. I have Silas and Bree.” She adored his face with her gaze. “You and your family. Our child. I’m surrounded by love. Only one thing could make me happier.” She paused long enough for him to raise his brows. “Come up here and kiss me.”

Cale settled next to her on the bed. Palm still resting on her middle, he leaned in to touch his mouth to hers, moving slowly, tenderly, breathing against her lips, “I love you, Katy. I’m going to prove that to you for the rest of our lives.”

“You don’t have to prove it, Cale. But frequent reminders would be appreciated.”

He grinned. His mood sobered once more as he patted the ledgers. “What will you do with your fortune?”

“Give it to you for our family.”

He laughed, finally relaxing. “Baby, we’ve got so damn much money we could never spend it all. You do something with it, something that pleases you. Something to honor a good man.”

“Because of another good man.”

Kendra kissed him, and finally, Cale believed those words.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

“A going away party? Hosted by Silas MacCreedy?” Cale smirked. “Oh, this will be fun.”

Kendra gave his arm a smack as he reached up to swing her out of the SUV. “Be nice.”

He held her up, lost in looking at her. His angel, with her pale gold halo of curls, sweet smile, and floaty white dress that made him think of a wedding. Or a negligee. Catching that spark in his eyes, hers lit with an answering fire. Slowly, his arms bent, lowering her until she layered against his body and upon his lips.

Brigit sighed in irritation. She’d complained about her bloated figure and swollen feet the entire ride but when Giles helped her down from the front seat, she absolutely stunned in a flattering wrap dress of emerald green and for once, sensible heels. “Get a freaking room.”

Kendra looked up at him with brows raised.

“Not until everyone gets a look at my gorgeous baby mama.”

Kendra laughed, confiding, “It was all I could do to keep him from slapping a “Baby on Board” bumper sticker on my belly.”

Jacques LaRoche’s Cheveux du Chien was closed to the public for the night. Nica stood at the open bar in a chic cocktail dress, helping their buxom waitress Amber pull draughts from the taps and mix drinks while food from Helen’s kitchen filled the plates of circulating guests.

Cale paused in the doorway. Not so long ago, he’d seen many of these faces for the first time and had felt himself an outsider, unwelcomed among them. Now, he felt at home.

“Hail to the king, baby!”

Rico’s shout had attention turning his way. That’s all it took to goad his swagger into overcoming fuzzy emotions.

Like him, his brothers were dressed in Terriot fine from flashing diamonds in their ears to sleek grey suits with shirts a shade darker. Looking rough and handsome and impossibly arrogant standing together in an impressive group, they exchanged manly hugs with their leader and had gentle kisses for their queen.

To escape Kendra’s embarrassing concern over his healing wound, Kip demanded of Cale, “Spill! I’m hearing all kinds of crazy ass rumors about your fight, taking out Lee, and your standoff with James. Some are saying it was voodoo or magic.”

Cale laughed, his gaze meeting Max Savoie’s as he approached, his arm about a leather wrapped Cee Cee, with Silas by his side. “Just crazy rumors, brother. Why would I discourage them from making me a legend in more than my own mind?” With a nod to McCreedy, he gripped Max’s hand firmly then warmly embraced his dead sexy NOPD date.

“Congratulations,” she told him, getting him beaming wide all over again as if the first male to ever seed an heir. “None of we ladies were in the least bit surprised, except by why it took you so long to figure it out.”

“Hey,” he cried in his own defense, “I’m not the detective.” He started getting all shiny-eyed again as he curled Kendra in tight. He couldn’t have her close enough.

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

Silas’s surprised mutter drew Cale’s attention.

Rueben Guedry, bold as brass, had crashed their party.

Looking sleek and darkly dangerous in a hip-length black coat over jeans and beautiful tooled boots, dove grey hat angled so it concealed his eyes, the uninvited clan leader approached, flanked by the lovely Mia and, more surprisingly, T-Ray Roux.

“What the hell are they doing here?”

Hearing MacCreedy’s growl, Rueben offered a chilly smile. “Come to pay our respects to a most worthy adversary.” He started to put out his hand to Cale only to find Rico and Colin instantly between them, squared off and bristling protectively.

Appreciating the gesture on both sides, Cale touched his brothers’ arms with a murmur of, “It’s okay,” so they’d step aside, letting him accept the proffered hand. “Rueben, you’re taking a risk coming here.”

“I consider myself under your protection.”

Cale grinned at that irony. “Pretty ballsy assumption.”

Rueben gave him a cool once over. “You’re looking better than when we last met.”

“Like I said, I’m never weak when strength is demanded.”

“A lot was demanded, from what I understand. I respect that. And the fact that you allowed Mr. Roux to be standing here tonight. That was surprisingly generous.”

Cale’s gaze cut briefly to his worse-for-wear opponent. “I owed him. That debt’s paid.”

“Understood. I think we’d have worked well together.”

Cale gestured to Colin. “My brother will stand for me. Though you may find him less generous with his favors.”

Rueben assessed the larger, stoic Terriot. “That’ll be between him and Mia. She assures me they’ll get along well.”

Cale looked between them, raising an uncertain brow before he gestured to Max. “Rueben, Max Savoie and Detective Charlotte Cassie. You know Silas.”

Black eyes narrowed as he muttered, “MacCreedy.” He smiled at Charlotte. “Ma’am.” Finally, he sized up the Shifter who was every bit as big as him in height and reputation. “Mr. Savoie, can I buy you a drink?”

“It’s an open bar,” Max drawled.

“That works, too.”

The Babineaus arrived, the pretty, perfect TV commercial middle class family. The uneasy detective had his wife’s hand tightly in his and his other arm looped loosely about his son’s shoulders. He released her to shake hands with his brother-in-law. Then Tina was in Cale’s arms, already crying, making it difficult for him to retain his game face.

“Hey, now, mama. It’s not like we won’t see each other again. I plan to steal that boy away for his spring break. You’re welcome to come along.” He glanced at Alain. “You, too.”

“I can’t thank you enough.”

Cale wiggled out of her grip with sudden humility. “Now I can’t claim all the credit. My brothers and this guy here,” he thumped Babineau’s chest, “did all the hard work. And Savoie supplied me with all the neat tricks. I only had to show up.”

She met his gaze with a melting sincerity. “Thanks for showing up, for being part of my family.”

“Oh, hell,” Cale muttered, reaching out to grab Alain’s arm. “I think we need a drink.”

As the two of them approached the bar, Cale turned to his brother-in-law with a faint smile. “Come with us. We can keep you safe.” A laugh. “You can help keep us safe.”

Alain cooled considerably. “You got your own heir now. You don’t need my son, ‘less you’re lining up a spare just in case.”

Cale’s smile faltered but his tone remained warm. “He’s one of us. Like his mama. That won’t change whether you live here or in Tahoe. We’re family. They belong to you by their choice. I just want to see they have what they deserve.”

“And I can’t give them that?”

“Sure. If she was just a cop’s wife and him, a school kid. But they’re not. They’re heirs to the Terriot throne and like it or not, that comes with dangers you need to be ready to face.”

“I will.”

“You’ll try, brother. And I admire you for that. I do. I’m gonna do something you’re not gonna like, but if you’re any kind of a man, you’ll hear me out.”

Alain looked down at the piece of paper Cale pressed into his hand. Hot color flooded his face. “A check? You think you can buy me off, you—”

“No! No, no, no. It’s for my peace of mind, my selfish need to make sure they’re safe. Take it. Leave the crabgrass and crappy neighbor behind. Move them into a gated community where they’ll have security 24/7, and we’ll both rest easier for it. Please. Don’t tell them it’s from me. Say it’s a windfall, insurance from her step-folks that she didn’t know about. Set aside that pride that’s choking you, the way it would me if I was you, and do what’s right for them. Because if they’re threatened or harmed, I will come and take them whether you like it or not.”

Alain studied his brother-in-law for a long minute then tucked the check into his pocket. “I’m not a fool. Thanks.”

The air whooshed from Cale’s lungs. “Let’s get that drink.”

*

While Kip and Colin entertained a wide-eyed Oscar with stories of their actions the day before, Kendra drew Tina aside.

“Things seem better between you two.”

A sigh of relief. “We talked more last night than we have in the last year, sharing things we should have long ago. It wasn’t easy, but we got through it.”

“And after you talked?”

Tina smiled. “Things were spontaneous. And fabulous.”

“I’m going to miss you.”

They embraced as sisters until Tina pulled back, her gaze settling on her son and his uncles. Triggering Kendra’s worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something I saw yesterday. I’m not sure what it means.”

At Kendra’s prompting, Tina described what she’d observed from her hiding place just before Silas and Cale arrived. She’d seen Colin meet with a man in an expensive suit, a man with auburn hair and gaudy Terriot diamonds in his ears. They’d talked quickly, urgently, and then James Terriot walked away, on his way to abduct Kendra. Colin made no move to stop him.

Colin? Kendra turned toward her solid-souled brother-in-law. She couldn’t believe it of him. Not Cale’s chosen to handle matters regarding their clan’s business. They trusted him.

Then she recalled Cale’s somber words.

Right up until the moment they betray me.

*

The evening grew bittersweet for Cale when Philo Tibideaux set foot in Cheveux du Chien for the first time since Max Savoie came between him and his friendship with its owner. Surrounded by a group of his Patrol who’d worked the docks with Cale, he held back in a tight wary pack until LaRoche waved them in with a tentative welcome.

They swarmed around Cale, teasing him for his fancy clothes, ruffling his red-blond hair, relaxing him the way few things did. T-Ray eased into the group as if he’d always been there, joining the rowdy laughter.

Pulling Cale slightly aside, Philo nodded to Roux. “He told me who he was and why he was here. Can’t say I was happy to be played for a fool, but working with him is better than him working against us until I find out who your brother has on the inside. I hate not being able to trust my friends.”

Cale nodded toward LaRoche. “Makes you value those you can all the more.”

Philo scowled but didn’t deny it. He tugged at Cale’s expensive sleeve. “This doan quite look honest on you.”

“It’s part of who I am, not who I chose to be.”

“You ever need that honest job, come talk to me.”

Cale put out his hand. “It’s been an honor breaking blisters for you.” 

As they shook on it, Silas and Cee Cee approached with police business in their expressions, giving Cale the chance to ease away when he saw LaRoche’s mate Susanna and their daughter Pearl arrive. Kendra slid up beside him, fingers tucking between his. He gave them a squeeze and her, a smile.

“How you doing, mama?”

“Trying not to cry.”

He kissed the back of her hand then smiled as LaRoche brought over his family.

“You’re looking well,” Susanna diagnosed.

Cale smiled but his reply was to the stone-faced little girl. “I am well, thanks to you.”

“And to thank you,” Kendra added to Susanna, “I left something for you in the office.” She met Cale’s surprised look with a glowing glance. “Something to help you with your work. It’s something my father would have approved of.”

As they chatted, Cale found himself on the receiving end of Pearl’s intense stare.

“What?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll be a good father.”

Cale quirked a cynical smile but his tension melted away inside. “You know that, do you?” When she gave a sage nod, he dared ask, “What else do you know?”

“More than you should. You don’t wear a crown. You are the crown. Be careful who you trust and of why they want to be your friend.”

“Girl, you can suck the air out of a room.” He tapped his knuckles beneath her chin. “You scare the bejesus outta me, little mama, but I owe you my life.” He sent a pointed look toward his nephew. “Remember what I told you.”

She blushed, looking shy and for once, very much like the child she was.

*

Alcohol flowed. Music and voices got louder. Cale, Kendra, Silas, Brigit, and Giles commandeered a table next to the empty dance floor. Brigit told embarrassing stories from their childhood, none of which, of course, reflected badly upon her, and they all were laughing. As Cale’s shoulders began rocking to the irresistible cowbell and drum beat lead in to the Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women”, his brothers grabbed him by the elbows, dragging him out of his chair and onto the floor with them.

“For you, my queen,” Rico crooned, executing an explicit roll and thrust of his pelvis that had her hands clasped over her mouth and her eyes crinkling.

Expensive jackets were peeled off and negligently tossed. Ties whipped loose and used to shimmy across broad shoulders, buff extremely fine rears, and even for some naughty crotch flossing. Cale used his to lasso Charlotte Caissie, murmuring, “Glad you could make it back in time.” He coaxed her up against him for sassy hip action reminiscent of their night at Crave until Max interrupted, as he had that time before, hooking an arm about her waist to spin her up tight where they continued the suggestive moves.