by Danica Avet
He tightened his hands into fists. “The doctors would call me to ask questions about Carla’s history. They said she claimed her mother tried to kill her when she was a child. Another time she told them I never showed her enough attention except when you were involved. I didn’t know what to believe, but after a couple of years, she…” His voice grew thick. “She kept insisting it was my fault for not being home more, that your grandmother made her hate children. It took a while for the doctors to diagnose her, calling what she had Munchausen by proxy and depression, but by then it was too late. She killed herself shortly after.”
His throat clicked as he swallowed. He looked at Kitty. “I’m so sorry, Kitty, but I was a bitter, guilty man then. I didn’t know if what Carla had would be passed on to Monk, or if he would find himself in the same position I was in with a mate who hated him. I told him it was hereditary without knowing. My friend, the one who helped me get Carla admitted to the hospital, swore it wasn’t genetic, but I couldn’t take the chance with his future. I omitted a lot, but God, I was only doing it to protect both of you.”
Silence filled the room, heavy and tense. Monk’s mind was trying to comprehend what his father said. He’d only been distantly aware of the pain his father felt when he told Monk about his legacy because he’d been far too angry and selfish to listen, but now, as an adult, he could see all too clearly how much his father had hurt. Even Hunter looked like he understood Walter’s confession better than Monk ever would. Because it was something a father did when he loved his child to the extent these two men did. They would cheat, lie and steal if it meant their children were protected and safe.
It was the way Monk knew he’d feel when he held his first child in his arms. And if his father’s words were true, if there was no hereditary predisposition to attacking their own children, then Monk could be a father. As soon as Kitty agreed.
He looked over at her to see her eyes swimming with tears and sympathy as she stared at their fathers. He didn’t know what was going through her mind, but he wasn’t sure he could forgive them for what they’d done. His heart ached for everything Kitty had been put through and he realized he’d done exactly what their parents had. He’d purposely misguided her to protect her. Monk had known he would rather give Kitty up than take the chance that he’d hurt her later on, but now he realized his father had done the same thing to him, he finally knew the pain she’d felt. And how amazing she was to have forgiven him.
Ignoring their parents for the moment, he turned to his mate and took her in his arms. She didn’t fight him, didn’t try to push him away, but cuddled close, her trembling shoulders telling him just how much she was holding back.
“I love you,” he whispered against her ear. “God, baby, I love you and I’m so fucking sorry I hurt you.”
Her arms wrapped around his waist, holding him tightly. “I love you too. But I swear to God if you ever do something like that again, I’ll castrate you.”
Even as his balls did a quick retreat, Monk chuckled, his throat suspiciously tight. “I’ll hand you the dull knife.”
He didn’t know how long they stood locked together, but it was the clearing of a throat that made Monk look over to see her mother beaming, her father glaring and his father looking hopeful.
He met his father’s eyes, protectiveness welling up. “You tranqed my mate.”
“Ah, that was my suggestion,” Francine said, surprising Kitty enough to turn to stare at her mother. “Don’t look at me like that, Kitty Marie. You’re so tête dur, I knew if we approached you about clearing things up, you wouldn’t even listen. Daisy Lynn told me all about your argument, so we decided to take matters into our own hands. Walter went after you and Daisy Lynn and I went after Monk. Who, by the way, had drunk himself into a stupor and kept mumbling about tattoos and kittens.” The older bear folded her arms over her chest, her chin lifting in a move he’d seen Kitty use many times when she thought he was being unreasonable. “Now, Kitty Marie Chambers, I have only one thing left to say. I’m tired of you living in New York. It’s time for you to come home and concentrate on family for a little while.”
Kitty pushed away from Monk, her face contorting with anger. “You manipulated me! I thought someone was trying to kill me, dammit.”
“Kitty,” Hunter warned.
She closed her eyes. “Sorry,” she muttered. “Why would you scare me?” She gaped. “Did you arrange to have someone drive me off the road too? What about throwing paint on me?” Her voice got higher and higher the more worked up she became and Monk slid an arm around her waist in a silent show of support. If her parents had done all of that in some misguided attempt to get her to stay in Maison Rouge, he’d sell his house and move to New York with Kitty. “Were you trying to ruin my career?”
Francine gasped, coming to her feet in outrage. “As if I’d do something like that! Daisy Lynn told me about that truck before we came out here today and said it was a couple of kids who took their parents’ truck for a joyride. They were too scared to stop when they nearly ran you off the road.” She sniffed. “As for the paint, you can thank Callie Hebert for that.”
“What?” Kitty and Monk asked in unison.
The older sow nodded, looking self-righteous and pissed off. “Someone named Margaret called last night while we were trying to figure where you’d run off to and said the leak came from Callie Hebert.” Her lips tightened. “Seems she decided to hedge her bets since it looks as if Zach isn’t falling into line the way she wants, so she figured she’d stir up trouble that would make you leave for New York. Margaret said she’s already contacted the lawyer you keep on retainer to sue for slander.”
“I told you Callie had it in for me,” Monk murmured in Kitty’s ear.
She jabbed his ribs with her elbow and broke away from him. “I’m sorry, Mama,” she said as she hugged her mother. “It’s been so confusing and crazy and then this happened… I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt or scare me.”
Francine wrapped her arms around her daughter and squeezed. “Of course I would if I thought it would make you see sense. Sometimes I wonder where you get that hard head of yours. And Hunter, you can stop coughing now.”
The Chambers patriarch moved forward, wrapping both his women in his arms, the three of them bonding by scent. Monk wanted to be a part of that, maybe not with Hunter, but with Kitty. He shuffled his feet and fought a rising tide of jealousy.
Movement next to him raised his head to see Walter had come to stand at his side, his Special Forces training keeping Monk from sensing him until they were shoulder to shoulder. The older cougar looked at the Chambers family and back at Monk.
“I really am sorry, son,” he said in a low tone that wouldn’t carry across the room. “I thought I was doing the right thing for both of you.” He tilted his head in Kitty’s direction. “You’ve got yourself a fine female and if you’re smart, you’ll do everything you can to hold on to her.”
Not sure how to take the fatherly advice so soon after learning of his father’s lies, Monk spoke a little stiffly. “I plan to.”
They stood together awkwardly, the sounds of Kitty’s family excitedly talking together, reassuring each other of their love making the moment tenser. Monk cleared his throat. “How long have you been in town?”
Walter shrugged. “’Bout three weeks. Francine called me when it looked as if you and Kitty were getting along better. She thought it was time to tell y’all the truth.”
Monk shot his father a glare. “Is that why you were spying on her?”
The older man had the grace to blush lightly. “I just wanted to make sure she was the right female for you. I didn’t want you to fall into the same trap I did. Kitty isn’t anything like Carla was.” He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit Monk had picked up long ago. “Your mama wasn’t a strong woman, son. She…well, she was selfish, but I loved her and thought she’d grow out of it. Kitty isn’t like that. She’s got a spine of solid steel and she loves you.” He nodde
d approvingly. “She’s a damn good female who’ll make you a strong, loyal mate.”
Since Monk knew that already, he said nothing for a moment.
“How long you stayin’ in town?”
Walter glanced over at him. “I don’t know. Thomas Picou invited me to Daisy Lynn’s wedding. I thought I might stay until then at least.”
Monk shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “You’re welcome to stay with me,” he mumbled awkwardly.
“That’d be nice.”
The Chamberses’ hug-fest wrapped up and Kitty turned to Monk with shining eyes. He was sure it was an indication of her happiness, but his cougar was still in protective mode. He started for her, unwilling to wait for her to cross over to him.
He took two steps toward his mate and paused to say over his shoulder, “It’s good to see you again. Dad.”
Chapter Ten
St. Patrick’s Cathedral was packed when Kitty peeked through the doors leading to the altar. Ram and his band mates were standing at the front of the church, looking entirely too gorgeous in their deep-gray tuxes. Even Nick had gone for a more subdued look for the wedding, wearing his hair tied down instead of in his usual Mohawk, but Kitty only had eyes for Monk.
He’d taken a pew not far from the front on Daisy’s side of the church, his father standing next to him. She couldn’t stop her sigh at the sight of them together. Walter Badeaux was a handsome older cat, which told her Monk would age gracefully. In the week since she’d woken up next to Monk in his family’s hunting camp, things had been too hectic for them to do more than talk on the phone, or have dinner either with her parents or his. Kitty had her hands full finishing Daisy’s dress, making statements to the press about Callie’s attempts to slander her, and organizing her business in order to remain in Maison Rouge.
Monk, on the other hand, had been recruited by Claudette to help organize the reception. As the Chairman of the Pointe-Aux-Chat Festival, he’d agreed to allow the wedding reception to be held on the fairgrounds since it was the only place big enough to hold the nearly six hundred people who’d been invited to the wedding.
“I’m going to throw up,” Daisy moaned behind Kitty.
Dragging her eyes from her handsome cougar, Kitty turned to her cousin, who looked very green. “I swear to God if you throw up on my dress, I’m going to kill you, Daisy,” she swore as she pulled up the skirt of her gown and hurried over.
“Here, give her this,” Monica Doucet said as she thrust a few crackers in Kitty’s hand. “That should help her.”
“Crackers?” Kitty asked doubtfully.
The bobcat shifter shrugged. “It’s good for morning sickness.”
Mouth dropping open, Kitty stared at Daisy with new eyes. Despite the misery etched across her face, Daisy glowed with something. A careful sniff at her cousin told the whole story. “You slut, you’re pregnant!” she exclaimed in a soft whisper.
“I cannot believe you’re swearing in church, Kitty. I’m telling Aunt Francine.”
Kitty ignored that, gripping her cousin’s arms in her hands. “You’re pregnant. Oh my God! Does Ram know? Does Tante Claudette?”
Daisy groaned. “Not yet, but when I throw up on his feet at the altar, I’m sure he’ll realize.”
Kitty squealed, wrapping her arms around her cousin, but still being careful not to wrinkle the gown. “I’m so happy for you! Oh my God, I’m going to be an aunt.”
The other bear hugged her halfheartedly. “I’m excited too, but I kind of need to get married, otherwise I think Daddy might kill Ram for knocking me up.”
Giddy with happiness, Kitty pulled back and looked for her uncle, but didn’t see him, although the other three bridesmaids were watching them curiously. “I think we’re safe for the moment, but I’ll keep it on the down-low.” She hoped. She was so excited she thought she might burst with it. “Oh Daisy, you’re going to be such a great mama.”
Her cousin’s mouth curled into a trembling smile. “So will you when you’re ready.” She squeezed Kitty’s hands. “You’re next, you know. We always did things together, so no more playing, my kinky little bear,” she whispered with a wink. “My kid’s going to want a cousin to play with.”
“I love you, Daisy,” Kitty whispered with a tight throat. “Thank you for kicking my ass.”
“Well, someone needed to do it. God knows Monk just wants to stroke it, pet it and call it his,” she teased, referring to the many times she’d caught Monk’s hand on Kitty’s ass. “I mean really, I keep expecting him to call you his ‘Precious’ or somethin’. Seriously, put that man out of his misery.”
Kitty blushed but said nothing because Nonc Thomas chose that moment to arrive with a huge smile. Stepping back to allow Daisy and her dad some privacy, Kitty knew her cousin was right. The reservations she’d had about mating with Monk again had withered beneath the onslaught of information she’d received. It was messed up how everyone around her had gone out of their way to keep her in the dark, but she understood their reasoning. It was what you did for those you love, protecting them even when they didn’t want it.
Dining with Walter, she’d heard stories about Monk she’d never known before. More than that though, she’d seen the love the elder Badeaux had for his only son. It touched her heart to know father and son were becoming closer, their need to protect their loved ones helping them bond.
Fate is so screwed up. She smoothed out her skirt. If she and Monk had married and mated when they were eighteen, neither of them would have appreciated what they had now. She could almost thank their parents for interfering in their lives because it’d allowed both Kitty and Monk to grow up.
“Bridesmaids, line up,” someone called out.
Kitty barely had time to move back to avoid being stampeded by her fellow bridesmaids. The women were giddy to be wearing original gowns and more than ready to show off for the wedding guests. Because Daisy’s gown was a surprise to everyone except her parents, they’d all dressed at the church. Her cousin had been adamant that when she stepped out for her first picture as a bride, she wanted it to be with her mate at her side.
Music played overhead and the doors opened. One by one the bridesmaids led the way down the aisle. Kitty stayed back, waiting for her cue, but couldn’t resist peeking around the door to enjoy the gasps of delight from the audience. The gowns she’d designed for herself and the bridesmaids were flattering on any figure. At Daisy’s insistence, Kitty had given them all different colors the girls decided upon themselves. Designing the gowns for the wedding had been fun, but she knew she wouldn’t be taking on such a big project again. Bridesmaids were hell to work with.
Proud of her designs and almost trembling with the excitement of Daisy’s gown finally being revealed, Kitty moved to the doorway. She recognized most of the people on both sides of the church. Family and townspeople packed into the pews behind Daisy’s parents, while Ram’s friends from LA as well as his small family filled the seats behind his mother. Cameras flashed as she stepped out of the lobby and onto the carpet leading to the altar.
She didn’t see any of that though. Not when Monk was looking at her as though he’d never seen her before. Her heart pounded and her hands shook, causing her to clutch her bouquet of flowers tighter. She wanted to run to him and throw herself in his arms. God, she loved the impossible cat. And he loved her as well because he didn’t even try to disguise his admiration or feelings from anyone. It was out there for everyone to see.
Kitty practically floated to the altar, barely aware of the people whispering around her. It was vastly different from the last time she’d felt this happy because this time she knew her man loved her.
Once in place, Kitty turned to face the congregation. The song changed to The Wedding March and everyone stood for a view of the bride. The doors at the back of the church opened and a collective gasp sounded. Kitty didn’t need to see what held them enthralled because she knew Daisy had never looked so beautiful in her life.
She peek
ed at Ram, who looked as if he’d just been punched in the chest. He recovered. Barely. Kitty grinned. The dress was magnificent. The very best design she’d ever made and she couldn’t have been happier to have made it for her best friend. The ivory silk gown floated around Daisy’s long legs, outlining them with every step before sweeping into a tight bodice that displayed her smaller waist and round bosom. Kitty had done some clever dart work to draw attention away from Daisy’s broader shoulders, but it was the back of the gown that was the masterpiece.
And as Daisy walked down the aisle, everyone got a look at it, their whispers following her like a wave. The back of the gown had a large cutout with fine, skin-toned netting covered in tiny crystals that sparkled with her every step. There was no bow, despite what Kitty had threatened her cousin with. Just absolute elegance that had been tailored to Daisy’s unique beauty.
The cousins’ eyes met for a moment and Kitty could read the love and happiness on Daisy’s face. It was enough to make her tear up. Turning away, she glanced at the audience, only to be caught in Monk’s reverent gaze. Her heart pounded and a smile of happiness pulled at her mouth.
It was so damn good to be home.
* * * * *
Monk strolled through the crowd of people at the fairgrounds, talking with those he knew and smiling at those he didn’t. He hadn’t minded at all loaning the sprawling fairgrounds for the reception. He adored Daisy Lynn for giving him the ass kicking he’d so desperately needed. Without that, he wouldn’t have had a chance in hell of getting back together with Kitty.
“Monk, comment ça va?” Alvin Callais, one of the oldest shifters in Maison Rouge, stopped him with the hail.
Monk paused to smile at the old swan shifter. “Ça va bien, et tu?”
“Can’t complain because no one will listen, hanh?”
