Page 67 of Devil's Queen

“All right.” Rem yawns. She closes her eyes, surrendering to the weight of sleep that still lingers within her. As she drifts off again, I watch over her for a moment longer.

Leaving the room, I make my way downstairs to the kitchen. The house is silent except for the refrigerator’s soft hum and the distant chirping of birds outside. One of Rem’s club sisters is passed out on the couch in the living room as I pass. Her cut is draped over her face like a mask. Another of the Queens is on the floor next to her with a decorative pillow under her head. When I finally make it to the kitchen, I flick on the light and discover, with a jump, that I am not alone. There, shrouded in the still darkness of the early morning, is Rem’s mom, Ameline, sitting at the table with a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.

I freeze for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. Ameline looks up at me, her eyes weary but sharp, and she offers a small smile.

“Morning, Rex,” she says, her voice raspier than I remember. “Couldn’t sleep either?”

“No, ma’am.”

Ameline motions for me to join her at the table, and I cautiously sit across from her. She takes a measured sip of her coffee before speaking again. “I noticed that my daughter was not in Beaux’s room this morning.”

“Birdie fell asleep in Beaux’s room,” I explain. “We didn’t want to wake them up.”

“I see,” she answers before taking another long sip of her coffee. Her accusatory tone makes me feel like we’re teenagers again getting caught together instead of the grown adults we are. “Do you still love my daughter, Alexander?” I pause when she uses my given name, which no one has used in years outside of doctors and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

“I never wanted this life for my daughter. I wanted more for her than leather, motorcycles, and heartbreak,” she begins, her tone softer than I expected. “I wanted her to have the life I didn’t get to choose. I loved her father fiercely, but loving that man hurt me and her. It robbed my daughter of a normal life.”

I listen intently as Ameline speaks, her words resonating deep within me. There’s a vulnerability in her eyes, a mother’s love mixed with regret. I can’t help but empathize with her, knowing the pain of my own choices and how they’ve impacted Rem.

“I understand. I chose this life out of necessity, as did you. You talk about wanting something better for your daughter. I want that for Birdie and for Beaux,” I respond, my voice filled with sincerity. “And for Rem. But sometimes, life has a way of taking us down unexpected paths. We can’t always control the circumstances we find ourselves in. We just have to make the best of them until we can find a way to navigate a different path.”

Ameline nods, her gaze softened by understanding. “Life can be cruel and unforgiving, but it’s also full of surprises and second chances.” She takes another sip of her coffee, contemplating her next words carefully. “I’d be a fool if I didn’t see the bond between you two. I knew the second you’d walked back into her life, son. I could see it in her face. You are like two planets in the same orbit. You spin and spin until you find each other, even in the fleeting moments. But…” Ameline continues, her voice growing more serious, “… love alone is not enough. You need to understand that my daughter has been through so much pain… pain that you have caused. And it will take more than words to earn back her trust.”

Her words strike deep within me, stirring up a sense of guilt and regret that has always lingered at the back of my mind.

“You know that pain too. I can see it in your eyes when you mention Beaux’s name. She kept your son from you, and while I didn’t disagree with her decision, I need you to understand something. If you hurt my grandson the way you hurt my daughter, I will not hesitate to protect him with everything I have,” Ameline warns, her voice filled with a mother’s conviction.

I’d always thought Rem got her fearlessness and fierce protective streak from Rene, but seeing her mother like this, I think I may have been mistaken. It’s like seeing Rem’s future on the other side of the table.

“I would never hurt Beaux,” I assure her, my voice filled with determination.

Ameline studies me for a moment, her gaze piercing through my defenses. “Actions speak louder than words, Alexander. If you truly want to make things right, if you truly want a chance at rebuilding what you’ve broken, then you need to prove it. Show Rem and Beaux that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make things better.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. It’s not enough for me to simply say that I love Rem and want things to be different. I need to genuinely show her that actions speak louder than words.

I take a deep breath, letting Ameline’s words sink in. She’s right. It’s not enough for me to declare my love and desire for change, I have to prove it through my actions.

“Thank you, Ameline,” I say sincerely, meeting her gaze with determination. “I promise you I will do whatever it takes to make things right. Rem and Beaux deserve nothing less.”

A flicker of surprise dances across Ameline’s face as if she didn’t expect me to be so willing to accept the challenge. But then her expression softens, and she nods approvingly.

“Good,” she replies firmly. “Because I won’t let anyone hurt them again. Not even you.”

“I’d listen to her, son,” Pike’s voice comes from behind us. “If you think Remington Lee is scary, she has nothing on her mama.”

“I thought you left,” I remark. Confusion hits hard. Has he been here all night? The plan had been for him to take my SUV back to the house to keep up appearances, but it’s clear that didn’t happen. He circles the table, pressing a kiss to Ameline’s head. My eyes dart between them, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing right now. I blink twice to clear my line of sight. Yet, when I look at them again, I see Pike’s hand falling to her shoulder.

“Are you two…”

“That’s none of your business, son,” Pike answers.

“You just read me the riot act about my intentions for your daughter and our son, and the two of you spent the night together?”

Ameline raises an eyebrow, her smirk widening into a mischievous smile. Pike gives nothing away.

“How long has this been going on? Does Rem know?”

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