Undo Me (Bone Daddy Book 3)

by R. G. Alexander

  “This is your wedding day, child. Yours and Allegra’s, and that’s all you need to be thinking about. Do you really think we’d let anything interfere with that?”

  Mambo Toussaint patted her purple head scarf and narrowed her eyes. “You wear humanity well, Bone Daddy. Better than most Loa. Were we right about this being your first All Saints’?”

  Ben swallowed one fried crawfish cake and reached for two more, handing one to a grateful BD. “And his last, apparently. They’re kicking him out. Banning him from the bar. They think he’s too attached to us.”

  “They would think that.” She nodded agreeably. “And wouldn’t we be full of ourselves if we questioned their wisdom?”

  The food stuck in his throat when she studied him closer, as if she saw beyond him, into him. “On the other hand, we were created to be curious. To think for ourselves, weren’t we?”

  Before he could answer she nodded firmly, as if she’d answered her own question to her satisfaction. “You saved my daughter’s life. My son’s as well. He bought an apartment here, and we’re getting to know each other. You made that possible.”

  “You helped Michelle and Ben find each other again,” Elise added. “Made my son happier than he’s ever been. Not to mention healing Allegra’s injuries. We do love that girl. Add it all up, son, and we owe you a boon.”

  Son. He smiled, leaning forward to place a kiss on each of their foreheads. Gratitude felt like a comforting hand slipping into his. Annemarie, the mambo and compassionate healer. Elise, the maternal warrior and empath. These women were the epitome of power and grace. “You owe me nothing. But perhaps I will have some of that pie.”

  Ben’s mother tilted her head, her silvery blonde bob brushing her shoulder. “You are a beautiful man.” Her son made a choking sound, and she pursed her perfectly glossed lips in irritation. “What? I’m still human, and not so old that I’m immune to something like that.”

  BD winked at her, making her blush, much to his delight. But then she reached out and took his hand. He could feel her energy searching his, it was deeper, different from Ben’s powers, and he had to admit, he was worried at what she would find.

  “I can see why she’s always so drawn to you, and you to her. You circle each other, drawn together. Soulmates, despite the obstacles you face. But there’s something else. So much more it’s hard to—” She pulled her hand back, looking confused and a little wary.

  “Bone Daddy,” she whispered. “But not. You shouldn’t be what you are.”

  Mambo Toussaint took her friend by the shoulders and met her gaze. “Elise? Is it what we thought?”

  “Yes and no. It’s hard to see clearly. Almost purposely muddled. I’m not sure if we can help him, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.”

  Rousseau shook his head, downing a shot of liquor he’d taken from the tray and shuddering in reaction. “Not to be disrespectful, Mamas, but wedding is only a few hours away, and I’ve never been good at puzzles.”

  Mambo Toussaint glanced at him, before studying Elise’s pale cheeks thoughtfully. “That’s exactly what this is, though. A puzzle. But power will gather tonight when the others come to honor our ancestors and the Ghede. With their help, maybe we can find the answers together.”

  BD actually felt his heart leap. Before now he’d believed it a strange expression. They weren’t shaking their heads and wishing him well. They wanted to try, despite the odds, despite the ruling which he couldn’t claim not to deserve.

  He supposed that was humanity in a nutshell, wasn’t it? They didn’t know when to give up. Not if they truly cared.

  He hardly dared to hope there was an actual chance he could stay. He’d been working on resigning himself to his fate all day. It never occurred to him there might be another way.

  “If you do find a loophole, cher, you know I’ll take it. Until then—” His full attention turned toward Elise. “You can see why who is drawn to me? Bethany? Have you talked to her? Touched her? Is she upset?”

  The men beside him laughed and shook their heads, and Elise held up her hands. “I’m a romantic at heart, but I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  The look she gave him nearly sent him back a step. “Suffice it to say you’ll have to find your way through that particular maze on your own. Your choices matter, as do the consequences.”

  Hadn’t Legba said something along the same lines? Why could no one give him a straightforward answer? He dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “I admit I hate puzzles as much as Rousseau. But I thank you both for what you’ve given me.”

  The mambo gestured to the food and bowed her head respectfully before allowing Elise to tug her out of the room. Ben clapped him on the shoulder in masculine commiseration. “A maze is right. Welcome to the man club, BD. Stumbling in the dark with the rest of us.”

  “Bah. Neither of you knows what this feels like. With a touch you can know your woman. And Rousseau knew Allegra’s thoughts long enough to know how she felt about him. There’s no Loa around who could or would help me the way I helped you. And Bethany does not behave the way a normal woman should.”

  “You mean she doesn’t follow you around like a groupie?” Rousseau grabbed a pecan from his pie before Bone Daddy could pull his plate away.

  “Does he mean she expects more than just the opportunity to gaze adoringly into his pretty golden eyes?” Ben batted his lashes, his grin wide and infectious.

  “Yes, damn it.” And he loved that about her. Loved her prickly manner and her sharp tongue. Loved her subtle sensuality and her wit. He ached to feel of her around him again. He yearned for her smile.

  “This isn’t good.”

  “Absolutely not. There is no way I can wear this in public.”

  Michelle and Allegra were beside her in the mirror’s reflection wearing huge, matching smiles.

  “Girl, you look hot,” Michelle said, fanning herself dramatically. “I have to hand it to the man, he knows how to shop. Who knew? You look like a white Selma Hayek in that dress. And the bride did a great job on your hair.”

  “No false modesty over here. And I don’t want you feeling guilty about it,” Allegra added. “You’re distracting me from those jitters my mother decided to call to warn me about. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her talk that much, and I’m telling you, if I hadn’t gotten my hands on all your beautiful hair, I might have done something desperate involving bleach and my brain.”

  Allegra had taken her hair out of its usual braid, pulling the sides back and curling the long tresses so they spiraled softly down her back. Five minutes into the reception she’d have it up in a messy bun or tangled in the nearest tree branch, but for the moment, her hair was a masterpiece.

  It was her dress that was the real problem. It was the opposite of what she would have picked, especially for a wedding. Daring and attention-grabbing, with a flared bottom that ended mid-thigh. Bethany wore more to bed each night, and she’d never owned a skirt this short. On the other hand, her new bra combined with this neckline gave her exceptional cleavage.

  Beside her, Allegra was stunning in her white fairy gown. And Michelle wore a violet sundress, the purple hue a nod to her mother’s beliefs by honoring the Ghede family with their favorite color. She was, as usual, a knockout.

  Bethany stood in the middle in temptress red, feeling as though she’d stepped into an alternate universe where she didn’t look out of place between them. “This is not me.”

  “Are you sure?” Allegra adjusted her handiwork so that a thick, ebony curl fell over Bethany’s shoulder, and beamed at her proudly. “Maybe you’ve been hiding the real you for so long, you don’t recognize her when you see her. You are a butterfly. He was right.”

  “I’ll give you a butterfly.” She shooed Allegra away from her hair. “Now stop paying attention to me. Brides don’t spend their last few hours of singlehood giving makeovers and matchmaking.”

  Allegra’s chin went up puckishly. “Bride
s can do whatever they want to. It’s in the rule book. Besides”—she shared a glance with Michelle that Bethany caught the gist of—“I have the rest of my life with Rousseau.”

  And Bethany only had one night.

  It was hard to believe she’d only met him this morning. From finding him naked in a cemetery to their total loss of control in the lingerie shop, she’d never experienced so much in such a short span of time.

  Eternity in an hour. Blake’s poem took on a new meaning when she realized that was all she could have. Time was flying, racing, merciless and apathetic to her miniscule problems. A few hours from now and he would be gone again. She shouldn’t feel as if they’d known each other forever. She shouldn’t be this angry at the unfairness of the universe.

  She shouldn’t be falling in love with him, but she wasn’t exactly given a choice in the matter. Despite her armor, despite her fears, despite all logic, her heart was involved.

  Isabel had wanted someone she wasn’t supposed to as well, though as far as Bethany was concerned, that problem had an easier solution. Give up on getting her evil father’s approval and run away with a man who loved her? That’s was child’s play compared to loving someone who was only pretending to be human, someone who’d be going to a place she couldn’t follow.

  There was no way out of her problem. BD was Bone Daddy yesterday and tomorrow. Throughout her life, everyone Bethany cared about had either left or been taken away from her. She shouldn’t be surprised that her streak would continue now with the first and only man she’d ever loved.

  He’d sent the dress with Michelle, along with a note asking for her to forgive him. To wear it for him. She called herself a fool, but she couldn’t deny him. Not tonight.

  She had tonight. She’d make that enough.

  Bethany set her shoulders back and did her best to smile convincingly. “Fine, I’ll wear it. In public and everything. If Aunt Sally could see me now, she’d probably die of shock.” And have a few pointed things to say about her waistline.

  Michelle made a face. “That grumpy old woman? Do you know she pulled me aside once and recommended liposuction to minimize my ‘unfortunate rear end’? I had to go out and buy a double scoop of Rocky Road and a new pair of shoes before I felt better about myself.”

  “She actually said that? I never knew.”

  She’d found fault with Michelle? But she was gorgeous. Always had been. And in New York she’d always been decked out in the latest fashions. “I thought I was the only one she tried to force plastic surgery on.”

  Michelle shook her head. “Please. She’s a modeling agent, and she’s good at her job. I guarantee you she’s traumatized hundreds without batting an eye.”

  It was hard to argue with that kind of logic.

  Allegra grimaced. “Sounds like a gem of a woman—no offense, Bethany,” she hurried to ad. “Trust me, I understand family issues.”

  Bethany remembered what Michelle had said about her parents not coming. “Well if you need any help getting up the aisle, I’ll just change into comfortable pants and volunteer right now.”

  She laughed. “Stop trying to get out of that dress, Bethany. Anyway, I already have a volunteer. In fact, I may be the first woman in history to be walked down the aisle by an honest to goodness spirit from the other side.”

  “I can’t believe he agreed to that,” Michelle said under her breath.

  BD was walking Allegra down the aisle? She tamped down the twinge of jealousy she felt at that. She hadn’t known either of them when they’d had their night together. And it was Rousseau she’d been focused on. BD had mostly been along for the ride. Mostly.

  Allegra must have seen something in her expression. “He brought us all together, Bethany. Me with Rousseau, and Michelle with Ben, whether she’s willing to give him credit for that right now or not. He sacrificed his pleasure, and his freedom, to do it. He is what life made him, but today, when he’s free to make his own choices, any choice he wants, it’s you. Think about it.”

  “Don’t push, Allegra. Just because you found your prince doesn’t mean everyone has to right this second.” Michelle rubbed Allegra’s shoulder, a slight frown marring her exquisite features as she focused on Bethany.

  “Ignore me. It’s got to be all these maternal hormones floating around. You look gorgeous and I want you to have fun tonight. But Allegra’s right, he is what life made him. Not human. Not permanent. And usually, not monogamous. I’m not saying he doesn’t care, because he sure as hell seems to, but don’t get your heart broken on something with a time limit that’s set in stone.”

  For a moment, the image of Isabel’s friend, Catherine, superimposed itself over Michelle’s face. A wave of dizziness hit Bethany and she reached for her head, weaving unsteadily.

  Catherine had warned her away from Marcel. Catherine wanted her to marry for security. To marry someone else. Why had she pushed her so hard? Didn’t she know what it was like to be in love?

  “Bethany! Bethany, are you all right? Talk to us, please.” Bethany blinked in confusion. She was lying on a bed, and Michelle and Allegra were fanning her face and shaking her shoulders gently.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “We were hoping you could tell us.” Allegra sat down beside her, patting her hand soothingly. “You went white as a sheet and started to tip over without warning.”

  “I don’t know. It seemed like a dream there for a second. Or déjà vu. Then the room started spinning.” She pushed herself up and grimaced when her hair snagged on Allegra’s bracelet. “I’m sorry about this. Really, I’m fine.”

  A knock sounded on the door and Allegra gasped. “Oh my God, now I’m dizzy. I’m getting married.”

  Michelle opened the door to Elise, and Bethany scrambled off the bed to grab both Allegra’s hands in hers. “Thank you so much for doing my hair and letting me be a part of your day. Rousseau is the luckiest man I know.”

  The redhead’s happy smile returned. “We’re both lucky. And we both think you’re wonderful and should move closer immediately.” She leaned close and lowered her voice. “I love Michelle, but I have some advice of my own. Don’t be too careful. Trust me, sometimes it’s that leap into the darkness that can be the most worthwhile.”

  Bethany smiled, letting her go to follow in the wake of Michelle, The Mamas and Rousseau’s mother and sister.

  Reason number two why people were better than books: No matter how well you think you know them cover to cover, people can and will still surprise you. Allegra, who’d been a virtual stranger only days ago, was now a fierce ally. Michelle, who’d always been all about living for the moment and jumping in with both feet, was the voice of caution. And Bethany was going to a wedding in a dress guaranteed to attract attention.

  She left the bridal party and headed out to the garden to sit in one of the folding chairs that had been set up for the occasion. Ben had taken the lead, and he’d done a great job putting this together so quickly. The trees were filled with fairy lights, and gardenias and magnolias were blooming everywhere.

  A white runner lay across the grass between the chairs up to the gazebo, which was freshly painted, draped in white silk and lit with small spotlights at the base. The workers had even built a temporary bandstand off to the side, where a small jazz band was playing softly for the crowd.

  There were two giant tables laden with food on either side of the garden, one covered in white, the other in purple. One to feed the living and one to honor the dead, she knew. Later, there would be a celebration of All Saints’, but for the moment, everyone was silently waiting to celebrate Rousseau and Allegra. It was a wonderful night for it. There was even a rare, cool breeze.

  She felt a tug on her hair and turned with an automatic apology on her lips, certain her loose locks had snagged some poor victim already, but no one was sitting behind her yet.

  “Manuel, is that you?” Another cool breeze. “Wanted to see the wedding, too, did you? Well you’re welcome to sit with me. Just do
n’t play any tricks tonight, okay? Allegra deserves her happy ending.”

  Her fingers slipped beneath the halter of her dress, adjusting the locket she shouldn’t be wearing. “I wore it for luck,” she murmured to the ghost. “Just one more time, and then I’ll share everything with Michelle.”

  Share it? It doesn’t even belong to you.

  But she was invested now. If several love letters, a diary, and a nameless mausoleum were all the woman left behind, it might break her heart. There had to be more to the story.

  “If only you could tell us what happened,” she whispered to Emmanuel.

  The music changed, and she saw Rousseau and Ben gather on the steps of the gazebo. She turned her head with the other guests and spied Mambo Toussaint and Elise Adair on the other side of the aisle, holding tightly to each other’s hands.

  Michelle came out first, holding a small bouquet of magnolias as she walked toward them, her eyes on Ben. Bethany followed her gaze and sighed. You’d think it was his wedding, with that goofy grin on his face. He even stepped forward when Michelle reached the gazebo, but when several people chuckled, he shrugged and stepped back, allowing her to take her place on the bride’s side.

  With the baby reveal she knew was coming tomorrow, and Ben Adair’s impatience, Bethany had a feeling she’d be invited back sooner than she’d planned.

  A wave of gasps and people rising to their feet let her know that Allegra and BD had entered the backyard. Bethany heard the feminine whispers and knew they weren’t discussing the bride, despite how ethereal she looked.

  They were for him.

  She forced herself to keep smiling, wishing she’d convinced him to purchase a Halloween costume, complete with cosmetic scar and eyepatch, instead of his current attire. Something to distract from his beautiful face. But she’d be selfish beyond measure if she took this away from him. How long had it been since he’d truly been seen in the flesh?

  She looked away, catching a man a few rows behind her ogling her breasts. Her eyes widened. She wasn’t used to getting looks like that. Ever.