by Layle Black
“I wish I could be so certain about …everything.” Agnes gave Selene’s arm a gentle squeeze, a look of sympathy in her eyes.
“I can imagine it’s like nothing you’ve experienced especially since you didn’t grow up with it. I’ve known all my life I’d be a lamarye nan de. A bride of two. My parents weren’t thrilled with the idea but eventually they embraced my choice when they got to know Sid and Carl. Luckily it wasn’t too much of a stretch because I’d known them both since high school. They had both been football jocks and I was the quintessential nerd girl.” Selene looked over Agnes’s flaxen curls and to die for figure and could never imagine her called nerd anything.
“They had been seniors when I was still a sophomore. I was the last girl I thought they would be interested in. Then…well everything changed.” Selene nodded, very familiar with the suddenness of change. Her own relationship with Remy and Jac seemed to have turned on a dime.
“Do you ever wish things were simpler? I mean, one man is trouble enough, but two?” Selene looked nonplussed when Agnes laughed aloud, drawing the looks of nearby onlookers.
“You’re asking me this, Selene? I imagine that you have spent quite a bit of time with those Clay boys. Would you rather something simple or the complicated love you have. Yes, I said love, young lady. You have the bloom all over you, so do us both a favor and don’t deny it.” Selene was caught off-guard by Agnes’s sudden plain speaking but she couldn’t deny it. She loved Remy and Jac. Both differently but in the same passionate way.
Suddenly Agnes looked contrite, the direct look in her eyes softening in unspoken apology.
“I am sorry, Selene. I don’t mean to come off like a mother hen over those two. I’ve known those men all my life and I guess I am a little protective. I suppose I just want them to be happy and avoid the ‘Clay curse.’”
“Clay curse?”
“It’s an old wives’ tale but I’ve seen it happen. Two men falling in love with one woman and she chooses not to return that love. That woman holds their future happiness in her hands and if she refuses…well…nothing good comes of it. It’s bound to happen I guess. The idea of being in a ménage relationship with two men not just for the sex but love. Unfortunately the men from this town have a tendency to love hard, long and obsessive. Forever for them is to the end of time and anything less is not the real thing. Sweetheart, Jac and Remy are Clay men to the core and I am sure you have a taste of what that means.” Selene didn’t bother to answer, her eyes drawn like a lodestone to where Remy and Jac stood in a small crowd of men. Yeah, she was getting the hang of what that meant. All or nothing.
Chapter 21
Gaston Monero hung close to the outskirts of the raucous crowd. He ignored the bodies swaying to the loud music and the periodic waves of halfhearted greetings from people who had noticed him. The folk of Clay Parish didn’t have much use for him and that was all right because he didn’t have much use for them either. His father had been one of the wealthiest men in the Parish at one time but had not been known for fair dealing. Gaston had no problem admitting that he was a lot like his father and that didn’t help his popularity. Fuck ‘em if they can’t take a joke, he mused to himself. Life was not a popularity contest and he certainly wasn’t missing any sleep over it. Well, he wasn’t here to mix with the yokels. He was here for a purpose and he wasn’t leaving until he got what he came for.
His eyes scoured the crowd until they finally lit upon what he was looking for. Selene. How beautiful she was. So like her mother in all the best possible ways that had driven him to distraction over so many years. Olive complexion bordering on caramel, curling dark waves of hair that made him ache to touch it and a body that curved in all the right places. His hands itched just to feel the softness of that skin. Selene was such a tease. She had to know what she did to him when she smiled that way or tossed her hair over her shoulder like that.
When Gaston got the rare opportunity to look in on her when she lived with that low life Denny, she’d been all coyness but beneath he knew was a seductress. The old rage came back with a rush. He offered her mother everything and she’d turned him down flat. First her excuse had been Emory but once his ne’er-do-well brother died she’d used that drunken Denny and a so-called promise to marry the son-of-bitch. He started to move toward the table where she was sitting when he noticed she wasn’t sitting alone. The little whore Agnes Rubidoux sat next to her chatting away, her blonde good looks a startling foil to Selene’s dark beauty. Gaston forced himself to take a few calming breaths and hold off on approaching Selene. The last thing he wanted was to strike up a conversation in front of the Rubidoux whore. He knew the first thing she would do was run off to tell her men and within minutes Jac and Remy would be putting in an appearance. There was no way he would be able to make Selene see reason with those two in her ear.
“Bide your time, old boy. You’ll get your chance.” He muttered softly to himself. Gaston nodded to himself in silent agreement and took a detour to a makeshift bar to get a beer. Grabbing his frosty cup he moved back to the shadows to sit quietly and watch. Anticipation flared through his body with such potency that arousal stayed at a low buzz below his waist. Excitement grew as he thought of all the things he was going to offer her. He’d make her life perfect and she would be the perfect woman for him. The things she would do for him. To him. Gaston almost moaned into the cold froth of his beer when he raised the cup to his lips.
Selene was glad when her conversation with Agnes took on a lighter note. It became glaringly obvious that she cared about Jac and Remy a great deal and was protective of them. Instead of being offended by Agnes’s forwardness Selene found it rather endearing. She’d never really had anyone look out for her best interests and she admired the woman for caring. Selene sipped at her sweet tea and listened to Agnes regale her with stories about Jac and Remy growing up. She was hungry for every little tidbit of their lives that she’d never been a part of. It saddened her that there was so much she didn’t know about her lovers but it made her want to discover all there was to know about them. All their quirks and imperfections that made their stunning looks more human and more hers.
As Agnes talked about her life she seemed to glow with happiness. No doubt or fear clouded her eyes. There was just an absolute certainty of her world and her place in it. Selene found herself envious of that kind of assurance and she wondered how they managed to make it work.
“It’s amazing that you guys managed to be so happy.” Agnes smiled over the top of her glass, her fingers running along the edge of her wine.
“It’s not always a picnic. Don’t get me wrong, sweetie. They’re still men with all the hang ups and being in a relationship with two of them…well we have our moments.” For a moment sadness clouded her face, her eyes darkening with memories. “It wasn’t always easy with us and quite honestly may never be completely a cake walk. We overcame a lot to get where we are but we made it because love held us together.” Just as quickly as the sadness appeared, it disappeared just as suddenly to be replaced by her usual sonny mien. “The great thing is there are far more happy moments than I want to kill them moments.”
Agnes leaned over to hug Selene before standing up from the table.
“I need to go play hostess for a few minutes. Will you be okay for a little while?” Selene waved her off good naturedly, successfully disguising the sting of Agnes’s words.
“By all means, please don’t let me keep you. I’ll just sit here and stuff my face some more. I haven’t had food this good in years.” The other woman smiled and strolled off into the crowd like the social butterfly she was.
Selene was content to just sit and watch the people around her. The relaxed mood of the crowd was contagious and soon she was swaying to the music. Only a few moments had gone by when the distracting feeling of being watched came over her. She kept casting surreptitious looks around her but seeing only crowds of laughing people. Selene remained at the table for a few minutes before deciding to wan
der over to Jac and Remy. Just as she stood a familiar voice halted her in her tracks.
“You truly are the image of your mother, Selene.” She turned to see Gaston Monero’s towering form, a broad smile on his face. At first glance he appeared friendly but now she could see that smile did not reach the darkness of his eyes. So, she thought, this man was her uncle. Rather, half uncle. Only days before she had been eager to find out who he was and what he knew about her mother but after her talk with Denny that need faded with the unhappy details of her parents’ lives. A strange peace had come over her about her past. There was no changing it and now she could honestly say she had no desire to.
She searched Gaston’s face for any likeness to her own and she found none that drew her attention. It didn’t matter anymore, did it? Selene thought that knowing more about her past would somehow validate who she was now. Now she knew that all she had become through hard work and perseverance had nothing to do with her past and everything to do with who she was as a person. There was nothing Gaston could tell her about her parents. She knew through reading those letters that she came from love and that was enough.
“Hello, Gaston. I certainly didn’t expect you here.” Selene smiled in return, her greeting just as manufactured as his. He moved to stand next to her table but and she was thankful he didn’t bother to sit down. What she had learned about his involvement in her childhood was damned disturbing to say the least. She had resolved her feelings about Jac and Remy taking money to watch over her initially but nothing about Gaston’s involvement made her comfortable.
“You may not have been expecting me but I hear you have been wantin’ to talk with me.”
“I did…but I don’t think that’s necessary anymore. I think I know all I need to know.” Gaston chuckled, his hands stuffing into his pockets as he rocked back on his heels.
“Well, I don’t know about that. Seems to me there is plenty you’d like to know. That house of your aunt’s is taking quite a beatin’. Wouldn’t you like to know who’s been doing a number on it?” Now he had her attention.
“Who’s vandalizing it? Tell me and I’ll tell Jac right now.” Selene’s body was already in motion, prepared to go find him. Selene had made peace with her past but she still wanted the bastard who’d vandalized her aunt’s house to have a little chat with the cops.
“Whoa there, girl. Not so fast. I’ll tell you who did it but I am not going to in the middle of this crowd. You mind if we go somewhere a little less crowded? The people around here take any excuse to gossip.” Gaston gave another friendly smile at the end of his speech but Selene was not impressed. She knew very little about the man and the few things she had heard had not been exactly complimentary.
“I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference to the folks of Clay Parish, Gaston.”
“Don’t underestimate the folks around here, young lady. Besides, I wanted to talk with you about more than your aunt’s old place. I think there are a few things you should know about your mother.”
“Gaston, I don’t….”
“Please, Selene. I feel like I owe her and I feel like it’s the least that I can do.” Selene glimpsed something resembling sincerity in his eyes and part of her wanted to believe him but a warning whispered at the back of her mind. Denny had told her about Gaston’s history with her mother and for all accounts the man appeared to have been a dark specter for her parents. Of course this was all coming from Denny and to be frank the man had never been a great source for anything truly honest in her entire life. Selene took a glance around her until her eyes fell on Jac and Remy. They were still chatting with friends, appearing relaxed and jovial. What if she just stepped away for a moment? She’d be back and they would be none the wiser.
“All right, Gaston. Just a few moments.” With a cheerful smile in place he gestured toward the large grassy field where cars were parked.
“Just this way and I promise it will be just a moment of your time and you can return to your…friends.” Selene nodded and followed his lead. Before long the sound of voices and music began to fade as they walked through a sea of parked cars. Finally they reached his truck, the name Monero emblazoned across the side in bright red.
Once they reached the truck Selene felt another wave of anxiety. If Remy and Jac knew she was alone with Gaston they would have a fit. Only just for a few moments and then I’ll go right back to them, she reasoned, suddenly in a hurry to get this over with and get back to the party. She stopped to turn and face Gaston, almost backing up when she realized how close he was standing to her.
“Okay, Gaston. You promised to tell me who’s been messing with my aunt’s property.” For a moment the man stood silent, seeming to just watch her as if weighing a decision.
“Well…yes I did, didn’t I? You know it’s funny. I thought I was going to bring you out here and spin you a tale about Denny but I don’t think you deserve that. I want to treat you better than that.”
“Denny? What about Denny? You’re saying he had something to do with it?” Gaston laughed, shaking his head in amazement.
“Denny can barely light his own cheap cigarettes let alone set fire to anything. The man was never really able to follow through with anything. Can you imagine what I had to put up with over the years because of that drunk?” Gaston continued to laugh uproariously as if he’d shared a great joke.
“When I talked to him tonight I told him I was going to come talk to you. To explain about how you should belong to me.” Gaston had taken another step toward her, the mirth gleaming in his eyes transforming to something else, something she was beginning to become afraid of. Selene took another step backward and found herself pressed up against the side of the truck. She fought to keep panic from showing on her face but inside she was starting to experience real terror.
“What do you mean belong to you, Gaston?” She was amazed her voice remained unwavering but inside she was shaking like a leaf.
“Why… because I took care of you, didn’t I? I made sure you had some food on the table most of the time you were growing up. I always gave Denny a little extra money for anything you needed. Fucking drunk that he was. He couldn’t even take care of your mother. I tried to watch over you myself but I didn’t want it to look improper. At least until you turned eighteen.” As he spoke, Gaston’s pretense at friendliness dropped and revealed something…wrong. His eyes gleamed brightly with barely suppressed excitement and Selene was wishing that she had never left the party.
“Now I know you would not be taking up with those two jumped up swamp brats if you knew how much I cared for you all these years. I know you must be a little confused but we’ll straighten all of that out in no time.” Selene’s focus kept straying to the space behind Gaston, mentally judging how fast she could move to get past him. Where he stood blocked her up against the side of his truck. He did this on purpose, corralling her like a wild animal.
“You did those things to Aunt Felicity’s house, Gaston?” Selene tried to keep her voice even and calm. Instinct told her that any show of anger or panic would only set him off. A shiver moved up her spine when he chuckled in his jovial way, as if having heard a great joke.
“What use do you have for that shack, Selene? I have a beautiful house that you would love. Granted it was originally for your mother but I think you’ll appreciate it more. Won’t you?” As he asked her that question he moved in closer to her, his hulking form making her feel dwarfed and suffocated.
“I am…I am sure it’s very nice, Gaston, but I am not going to be in town for much longer.” The smile slipped from Gaston’s face, melding into a grim line.
“You mean that little job you have in Seattle. Well that would be easy to change.” Selene shuddered when she saw his hand rise toward her, his clammy fingers sliding along her cheek.
“You’re not going to refuse me like your mother did, are you? I could have given her everything but instead she wanted Emory and he couldn’t give her anything but promises…and you. I can do muc
h better than that. You’ll see, Mignon…you’ll see.”
“My name is Selene, Gaston…remember?” Gaston blinked for a moment, confusion clouding his eyes.
“Yes…I remember. Of course I remember. Now get in the truck and we’ll talk some more. Maybe I’ll take you to my house. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Selene jumped when he moved suddenly to open the door to the truck, gesturing for her to get inside.
Selene knew one thing with absolute certainty. If she got into that truck she may never be getting out of it again.
“I don’t want to go with you, Gaston. Jac and Remy will be looking for me.” She realized her mistake as soon as she mentioned her lovers’ names. Gaston seemed to visibly shake with rage, almost baring his teeth.
“Those two will be staying away from you from now on. I didn’t have them to look out for you just to end up fucking you years later. I was stupid for that. Fucking Clay curse! Well, it won’t claim another victim because I am going to save you from that!” As he spoke his voice became louder and frantic. An almost rambling quality colored his words, making him sound crazed. She only hoped his voice was carrying over the loud music playing in the background. He took a breath as if trying to calm down but Selene knew better. Any façade of outward calm was hiding something volatile and ugly beneath its veneer.
“Get in the truck, Selene.” This time there was clear demand in his voice but she was not going to budge.
“I don’t care what you think you did for me, Gaston. If anything I have learned since I’ve been back here is that I don’t owe the past anything. I’ve let that go and I am moving on and you should too.” Gaston reached for her with the speed of a viper strike, his hands grabbing her arms in a bruising grip.
“Your mother should have been mine! I was cheated by her, my brother, your damned aunt, and those fucking men of yours. I am taking what’s mine.” Dark intent stood out on his blunt features and his hands tightened until she cried aloud from the pain.
