Chapter Four
Remy
“Dere’s a story wit’ dat one.” Remy and Gage were discussing the newest member of the Pard, Kylie.
“How so?”
“Da other night I went to Scarlet Flux. Some drunk grabbed her wrist to stop her from moving away from him and dere was real fear in her eyes. She brushed it off, said it startled her, but I know fear when I see it.”
Gage watched his brother for a moment. “Someting tells me your interest in her is more den casual.”
Remy nodded. “You’d be right. I’m pretty damn sure she’s my mate, but she’s a skittish ting. I’m gonna have to go slow wit’ her.”
“What do you know about her?”
Remy snorted. “Not much. But I plan to change dat.”
Gage patted his shoulder. “Good luck. If she’s a skittish as you say, you got your work cut out for you.”
Remy flashed a grin. “Why do you tink I’m workin’ at da club as da new bouncer for da VIP Lounge?”
That made Gage laugh. “Sneaky bastard.” He slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Looks like I’m gonna have to hire some help at da shop. If you’re gonna be puttin’ so much time in at Scarlet Flux, I’m gonna need da help.” When Remy started to speak he waved it off. “You just worry about your girl, I got dis.”
“Thanks, Gage. So how’s my nephew doin?”
“Growin’ like a weed. He’s definitely a Delacroix wit’ da way he eats.” They both laughed at that. Their mama always joked and said they tried to eat them out of house and home growing up.
“I’ll stop by later to see him. Fatherhood looks good on you, Gage.”
“You just wait til it’s your turn, Remy. Dere’s no’ting like it.” With that, Gage headed home to his mate and Remy headed into New Orleans.
Kylie
“What’s Remy really like?” Kylie asked the question while she, Emelise, and Lily sat in the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
Emelise and Lily shared a look. “What do you mean?” Eme finally asked.
“Exactly what I said. What is he really like? When he’s not trying to impress someone?”
“Why do you think he’s trying to impress someone?” Lily asked when Emelise didn’t.
Kylie laughed but it wasn’t a happy sound. No, it was more bitter. “He’s a male. That’s what they do. They put on an act to impress you while keeping their real personalities hidden until it’s too late.”
When Lily started to pry, Emelise shook her head. She reached over and gently squeezed Kylie’s hand. “Remy isn’t putting on an act. Sure, I’ve only known him a few months but Lily’s known him for four years. She’ll back me up when I say Remy Delacroix is a good, honest man who protects the people he cares about.”
“Eme’s right. When I first moved here, I had no idea I was in Pard territory. I met Remy and Gage a week after I got here and they took me to meet Caine. As soon as Caine said I could stay, Remy and Gage took it upon themselves to look out for me. At least once a week they came into the shop where I work, under the guise of getting coffee, but I know it was to make sure I was doing okay. They weren’t the only members of the Pard to stop in, they were just the most frequent. Remy can be a bit of a flirt but he’s a good guy.”
Kylie sighed softly. “You don’t understand. Neither of you do.”
Eme arched a brow. “Kylie, Remy isn’t Ezra. Not all men are like him. You have to know that.”
“Maybe they aren’t, but there’s no way to know who is and who isn’t until you’re already sucked in and can’t get out.”
Kylie watched as Lily gave her a puzzled look before the look cleared and her eyes widened as if she’d figured out what Kylie meant by her comment.
“Oh, honey. No. That’s not something you’d ever have to worry about with Remy. He’s more likely to cut his own arm off than hurt a woman.”
Kylie waved her words away. “Doesn’t matter. Like I told Emelise, I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone.” She’d just gotten out of a bad relationship; she had no desire to get mixed up in another one.
