“Nah, I’m the lucky one.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet.”
“Would you happen to know what Hellen prefers?” he asked, gesturing at the pastries left in the display counter.
“I do! And I have a fresh one in the back. I’ll be right back,” Bailey said. She disappeared into the back for a few moments, and came back carrying two pie boxes. One deeper than the other. “Cheese cake — New York style. And a pecan pie. She loves them both.”
Lucien grinned at her and reached for his wallet, totally forgetting that he’d not brought a wallet with him. In fact, his wallet had been lost in the swamp when he’d tried to escape the poachers he’d pissed off. “Well, damn,” he growled.
“I got it! Put it on my card,” Brandt said. “You’re going to have to get everything you lost in that wallet replaced.”
“Yeah, I know. Haven’t even thought about it until just this minute, though,” Lucien said.
“You can treat next time,” Brandt said.
“Be glad, to,” Lucien said.
The door opened and Remi walked back in. It was clear he was suffering, for more reason than one.
Bailey handed Brandt the receipt for Lucien’s purchases, and Brandt took the time to tuck the receipt in his wallet. He watched Remi as he moved slowly toward the counter and Bailey. At the last minute Brandt stepped right in front of him. “You tell her everything. All of it, including the part about kids, or you will deal with me. This is bullshit.”
“I know. I hadn’t yet because things were final, and I hadn’t asked permission.”
“That’s a cop out. You know Tempest is her best friend and will eventually come clean regardless.”
Remi nodded. “Yeah.”
“There’s a lot of people hurting over this. I know it’s not your fault, and I know it’s not your choice to have this happen, but it’s time to stop trying to make things right for yourself. Make things right for Bailey. After you do that, then you can consider yourself,” Brandt said, his voice so much lower than even a whisper, only a shifter could have heard him.
Remi nodded.
“See you later, Bailey. I’m gonna tell Tempest that you’re gonna come by later tonight or tomorrow. Don’t worry about calling, just pass by when you need it, if you need to. Tempest might be able to answer any questions you might have after talking with Remi. You’re always welcome, you know that..”
Bailey was still standing behind the counter, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. “Okay?” she finally managed.
Chapter 16
Brandt dropped Shaun off first, so Lucien could see where he lived, and also pointed out Christian’s house and Remi’s along the way, then pulled up in Hellen’s drive at the opposite end of the street and waited while Lucien gathered Hellen’s cheesecake and pecan pie. “It is a good feeling having you around, Lucien. I’m glad you decided to track Hellen down.”
Lucien nodded. “Yeah, didn’t have much choice in that, though as you know, setting up house and taking on a clan that’s not even my family wasn’t in the plans.”
“Yep. You told me plain as day, until I get enough, then I’m gone.”
“I did say some stupid shit like that, didn’t I?”
“Just barely 48 hours ago,” Brandt teased.
“There’s worse things to be than wrong, you know? And sometimes, even being wrong is worth the reward in the end. She’s my reward. Hell’s the only thing that’s ever meant anything to me in my whole damn life.”
“For what it’s worth, she’s never bonded to or brought home any other male. This is a big deal for her, too.”
“Good, I’d hate to think I’m the only one on uneven ground here.”
Brandt laughed. “Go take your female her cheesecake. I’m pretty sure that alone would get you an unlimited amount of approval.”
Lucien chuckled and waved as Brandt backed out of the driveway. He turned to the house and opened the front door, letting himself in without so much as a knock. This was where his mate lived, then this was where he lived. “Hell?!” he called out. “Brought you a surprise.”
He went straight into the kitchen and put both the cheesecake and the pecan pie on the counter top. Glancing briefly into the living room, he realized the television was off, and went to the bedroom. When he walked into the bedroom, he knew immediately that Hellen wasn’t there. “Hellen?!” he called a little louder. He closed his eye, and canted his head sideways while standing perfectly still to try to detect any movement in the house at all, but there was none.
