We shake hands just as the jailer approaches the cell. “Lazare Bordelon?”
I rise. “That’d be me.”
“You been bailed out.”
I turn to my new friend. “You got somebody coming for you?”
He shakes his head. “I gotta wait till the judge come in on Monday morning.”
“But then…”
Shrugging, he answers, “I’ll be all right. Sometimes the officer on watch is a supe, and they might let it go. We’ll see. If not, they’ll just deport my ass back to Canada.”
I shake his hand, an idea forming. “Can’t promise you nothin’, but I’ll see what I can do to get you out sooner, aight?”
“Awfully kind of you, but don’t worry if you can’t. I got myself into this. I can get myself out of it.”
I salute him and am escorted to the lobby, expecting Lillian. Remy, however, is the one waiting for me. His sad eyes and downturned mouth twist my heart. Worse, all of my blood rushes to my groin and away from my head, leaving me lightheaded, regretful, and horny. I rub my hand over my chest, unable to ease the pain.
“I would have been here sooner, but it was better to wait till dusk.” His gentle voice is colored with resignation, his eyes on anything but me.
“I'm so sorry—”
He holds up his hand, silencing me as he walks out the door. Staying quiet, I follow him as he steps out of the precinct, walking down the street toward a white Range Rover.
When he finally speaks, his voice is so quiet that I strain to hear it.
“I don’t have much choice, do I? You’re my only source of sustenance for the rest of my life.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his car keys and hits the button to unlock it. “So, here I am. Reporting for duty to my next jailer.”
I put my hand on his arm, and his look eviscerates me, ripping the air from my lungs.
“I don’t want you to feel trapped. I didn’t do this on purpose, I promise.”
He doesn’t answer me at first, just gets into the car, so I join him on the passenger’s side. His delicate fingers wrap around the steering wheel, gripping it with enough force to break the damn thing.
After a few moments, he answers, his voice still barely above a whisper. “I know, and I can’t tell if that makes it worse. I suppose Eloy’s explanation of what you do with the money should make me feel better, but it doesn’t.”
“What can I do to show you how I feel?”
He shifts, resting his forehead on the steering wheel. “I just…I don’t care about the money. Either way.” Pain scrunches the line of his face, and blood pools in the corners of his eyes. “I just wish I understood why you didn’t claim me as your mate. I already have plenty of that in my life, and if you’re ashamed of me, then what was the goddess thinking? Is this her way of saying that I’m just never going to be good enough?”
“No, cher. That’s not it at all.” I can’t stand just sitting here. Reaching across the console, I pull him into my lap. Letting out a startled cry, he fights me, but I don’t let him go. “This one’s on me, Remy. It’s my fault for lying to Eloy. I never meant to make you feel that way.”
“Well, you did, so let me loose, you fucking hell hound.”
“I can’t. Not until you know it’s true.”
He pummels me with his fists, but a strength not my own keeps him in my arms. “I hate you,” he cries, his voice cracking as red streaks stain his beautiful face. “Just let me go.”
“No, cher,” I say, gripping him tight as he struggles against me. “I’m not letting you go ever again. I’ll always claim you. I’m so proud to have you as my mate.”
“Fuck off,” he says, lunging for the door. As fast as he is, my grip on his waist is solid. He screams in frustration, sinking his teeth into my neck, but my hold never falters.
I pull him off my neck and press my forehead to his, forcing him to look at me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Fuck off—”
