Page 50 of Loup Garou

My hands shook as tears filled my eyes. The second my father reached for me, I jerked my hands back and shook my head. “How long have you known?”

I had to hear. I had to know.

“Tiennot?”

He ignored my mother and gave me a supportive look. “Did you honestly think you could hide something of that nature from me, Lindsay? You are my child. My baby girl. There is nothing I would not do to assure your happiness. There is also no way I would allow you to travel about the world alone—in that condition.”

I clutched onto the tablecloth. “Daddy, I didn’t know how to tell you.Hewanted to tell you. He wanted to come to you so you couldknow him. I didn’t let him. I thought you’d kill him. You never liked the idea of me being around any man, except for Exavier, and I honestly thought you’d hurt him.” A choked sob tore free from me. “After it happened, I was scared you’d blame him.”

I still feared my father would kill Eion. I would always love him, and just because I’d cut him out of my life didn’t mean I wanted harm to come to him. We’d almost had a life together. We’d almost had a family.

“Shh,hedid come to me, Lindsay. I got to know him and I know it was not his choice to be separated from you—but yours. I know his feelings for you were far greater than a father could hope for his daughter. His love was real.”

My eyes widened as I grabbed for my handbag. My mother arched a brow. “What are you doing?”

“Finding my phone. Daddy, tell me you didn’t… Oh gods.” I couldn’t think straight. Thoughts of Eion being harmed flooded my head. I didn’t want to think my father would do it but I couldn’t help but be concerned.

My mother snorted. “Even your father does not have the power to kill a dead man. Tim is gone, Lindsay.”

Tim? It was clear my father had never told my mother Eion and I were a couple or that we’d gotten pregnant. She’d always assumed Tim and I had a relationship that extended into the bedroom. We didn’t. It was easier to let her believe it than to confess the truth.

I dropped my bag and Exavier caught it. He placed it in my hand and wrapped his around mine. I couldn’t help but stare at him with tear-filled eyes. “Xavs?”

“Yes,” he said, using one hand to cup my cheek. “I’m right here. I’m so sorry it took me so long to get to you, Linds. I thought you were married with children.”

“That is absurd,” my mother said.

Exavier ignored her and kept his gaze trained on me. “Lindsay, I had no idea they were looking for you. I didn’t know.”

My father’s breath hitched. “Exavier, is it true? Is my daughter your true…?”

Nodding, Exavier kissed the top of my nose. “Lindsay, if you cry, I’m fairly sure I’ll cry too and that would be bad for all involved. Locusts would pour forth from the skies. Tidal waves would occur. It’s best we try to keep my emotions as much in check as possible, especially now of all times.”

“Why now?” I asked. It was a stupid question but all I had at the moment.

It was my father who answered. “Because if he is who I have always believed him to be, then from the very moment he laid eyes on you again, he has had to fight to keep from doing what seems so natural.”

“Tiennot?” My mother touched his arm. “What are you talking about? Please tell me you aren’t going to discuss our daughter’s sex life with her oldest friend?”

“Do you not recall how linked Exavier seemed to be with Lindsay’s feelings when they were just children? I, for one, lost count as to the number of times he would show up on our doorstep at the very moment our Lindsay’s mood would darken. The second I opened the door for him, she lit up. Happy again. Did you think it a coincidence?”

Mom laughed. “Really, Tiennot. Do not make more of it than what it was. Two children, extremely close. The best of friends.”

Exavier kept his gaze locked on me but spoke to my mother, “Olivia, no disrespect but you are wrong. Lindsay is so much more to me than just a friend.”

“Yet she slaps you.”

He pressed his lips to mine and fire shot throughout my body. Dropping my bag, I put my hands on either side of his face and returned his kiss with all I had. Our tongues danced around one another. My entire body tightened beneath his tender touch. He was so soothing, so what I needed to regain my composure, so much the little boy who leapt away from me when I informed him I was going to marry him.

I broke the kiss and stared at him with wide eyes. “You lied to me!”

A soft laugh came from him. “Well, at least you don’t look like you’re about to cry anymore. You do look like—”

I slapped him across the face again.

My mother gasped.

Exavier nodded. “You’re about to slap me. Yep. I saw that one coming.” He put his hand up. “It’s fine, Olivia. Don’t start with her again. Lindsay is welcome to spend forever knocking me on my ass if she wants. It would mean she’s with me, so I’m fine with that.”

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