Page 121 of Healed
Delilah reached out and pulled the platter close to herself.
“Hey! Half of those are mine,” Kaid said.
“Maybe. Maybe not,” she answered.
“You see that? That’s why I thought Emmalyn was theirs instead of Bam and Everly’s,” Lucien said. “She’s got a mean streak, a lot like Delilah.”
“Do not speak my name, person who shall not be named!” Delilah called across the room. “I’m still angry with you for not including me in your little excursion to New Orleans.”
“It wasn’t my fault,” Lucien exclaimed. “Brandt called that one!”
“And I shall make sure he’s familiar with my opinion on that as well.”
“Seriously, Aunt Delilah. We had to go, suddenly, all of a sudden,” Havoc explained.
“That’s redundant, Havoc. Say it once and be done. I’m still put out with not being included,” Delilah said.
“Uncle Vince! Please take Aunt Delilah some more onion rings! On me,” Havoc shouted.
“Done,” Vince called from the kitchen.
“My mate does not have a mean streak,” Barron grumbled.
“Yes, she does,” every other male at the bar said.
Remi grinned as he walked over, extending his hand to shake Barron’s.
“No, that’s bullshit,” Barron said, getting up and hugging Remi. “Do not shake my hand when we’re practically brothers. It’s good to have you back. We were all worried about you.”
“I appreciate that, but I was fucking up left and right. I’m sorry for anything I caused you, and everybody.”
“It’s okay. Come on, I’m next, come give us some sugar,” Havoc said, turned around on his barstool, waving Remi to him.
Remi moved toward him, planning to give him a man hug, but Havoc grabbed him and yanked him in, wrapping his arms and legs around Remi, clamping down on him and giving him a full body hug.
They all laughed.
When Havoc finally released him, Remi looked up and down the row of them and shook his head. “I don’t even know where to begin. I’m just so sorry. I’ll fix it though. I give you my word, if it’s still worth anything.”
Havoc sobered and shook his own head in disbelief. “You took me in when I committed the worst offense against family and mates that can be committed. Not everybody wanted to even look at me, and I get that. I earned it. But you never once wavered in your support and friendship for me. Do not even speak another word. You’re family. You’re friend, and if I’d had to, I’d have gone and dug your ass up outta where you’d got toand forced you to clean your act up. But everybody has a right to wallow from time to time. It’s necessary in some instances.”
“Thank you, Havoc. But please don’t hug me with your whole body again.”
“Didn’t you like it just a little?” he teased.
Remi laughed, but then focused on Kiernan. “I am so sorry that I exposed your mate and babies to somebody that would cause them distress of any kind. If it’s alright with you, I’m going to come by later this evening once you get home and apologize to her personally. I hope you can both find it in your heart to overlook my behavior.”
“It’s forgiven,” Kiernan said. “But thank you for apologizing. I appreciate it.”
“Thank you, Kiernan.” Remi turned his attention to Shaun who sat quietly beside Kiernan eating his burger. “Shaun, I owe you so much. You are so much a better male than me.”
Shaun turned around and looked stunned when he met Remi’s gaze. “You don’t owe me a thing, Remi.”
“I do. You knew that Bailey was your mate from the first time you saw her. But because she was with me, you kept it to yourself. You continued to treat me with respect, and you told no one what she was to you.”
“She was happy. When you love someone more than yourself, you want them to be happy…”
“Even if it’s not you that makes them happy,” Remi finished.
