everyone knows she doesn’t like talk.” Angie sighed. “I understand that, too. I remember hearing my grandmother tell me I had to be better since half my DNA wasn’t up to snuff, as she would put it. Anything my mom did was criticized. She’s got her reasons.”
“There’s no reason for her to threaten Sera like she did.” He wouldn’t listen to any excuses about that.
Angie reached out and put a hand on his. “I know.”
There was the sound of a car pulling into the lot and slamming into a parking spot. He recognized his cousin’s Benz, though Cal wasn’t the only one who got out of the car. Zep Guidry was with him, and his stare went right to Harry as he slammed the car door.
“Angie, is what Zep is telling me true? I got a call from Quaid Havery asking me to talk to Mom.” Cal was still in his suit, as though he’d driven straight back from New Orleans. “Has she lost her damn mind? Should I call a doctor? Quaid said she was suing Sera for custody of Luc and that you’re not welcome in the house anymore. I stopped by to talk to Sera but got him instead. Zep says it’s true. Luc is Wes’s kid.”
Angie offered him a beer. “Yes, it’s true, and it’s true that I’ve known all this time and I kept it a secret. Even from you.” She turned her eyes to Zep. “Is Sera okay?”
Zep’s hands went to his hips, his whole stance aggressive. “She’s crying her eyes out.”
His stomach clenched. “I would like to talk to her.”
Zep shook his head. “Talk to your aunt. Get her to back the hell off. That’s all you can do for Sera now. I thought I would beat up Cal here when he called me. He’s way smaller than you, and honestly, he’s got a soft middle.”
“Hey,” Cal began.
Zep ignored him. “But now I think I’ll do what I should have done in the first place and give you the ass kicking you deserve.”
He should have known Zep would come out swinging. “Come on, man.”
“Don’t you think I can’t do it. I’ve been in many bar fights.” Zep’s fists were clenched, his jaw tight. “I might be smaller than you, but I won’t play fair, and if I can kick that leg off you, I will use it to beat you.”
Zep understood neither how a C-Leg worked nor how Harry himself worked. He glanced down to make sure Shep wasn’t about to defend him. Nope. Shep was on his belly, his eyes closed as if to tell the human he was on his own. “I’m not going to fight you. That’s the last thing Sera needs. I love your sister. I would do anything to help her.”
“Then why would you betray her like this?” Zep asked.
“I didn’t mean to. I didn’t mean to tell my aunt anything at all.” But he’d walked into that house and asked the question. He hadn’t thought Celeste would be home, but it was still his responsibility.
“He found out I knew.” Angie settled back in the chair. “Sera hadn’t told him that part. He also didn’t know Mom was home. It was a weird situation. Then Sera showed up and Mom went nuclear. I’m disinherited and my wedding will now be held here. At the No Tell Motel. Can’t they change the name? It’s going to look really bad on the invites.” She glanced up at Harry. “See, that’s what I mean. The minute I tell Mom I’ve moved the wedding here, she’ll cave.”
“You’re not getting married here,” Cal said.
“No, I know exactly what will happen. Now I have to decide if I let it happen. She’ll try to walk this back without ever acknowledging what the problem is.”
“That sounds about right. She’s going to come around. She doesn’t understand why you did it.” Cal took the seat by his sister. “I do. I would have done the same thing. I wouldn’t have let my father raise another child. I can fix this.”
“You shouldn’t even try. It’s too soon. If you go talk to her tonight, you’ll be the next one cut off.” Angie’s lips curled up slightly.
Harry moved toward Zep. If he threw a punch, Harry would take it. “I’m serious. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I love her. I offered to marry her.”
“Excellent. We can have a double wedding right here. Split the cost,” Angie announced.
He ignored her. “I’ll do anything it takes to make this