“And completely consensual,” Laurent hastened to add.
Lucia looked at him uncertainly. “So you really want this? To be with a muerto? ”
Paul took her hands. “I really do. Laurent is special to me. I, uh, care for him a lot.”
“And I love Paul as well,” Laurent said firmly. “Please believe me, Mrs.
Kraskowski, when I tell you that your son is more dear to me than my own life and that I would never hurt him. I know our relationship may be hard to understand but—”
“Hard to understand, huh? Well if that isn’t the fucking understatement of the year.”
Paul dropped Lucia’s hands and whipped around to see his father standing at the other end of the garage, his arms crossed over his chest and a look of disgust on his face. Standing beside him was Angel.
“What the fuck, ’mano?” The packleader gave Paul a look of disbelief.
Paul frowned. “Angel? What are you doing here?”
“I came looking for you. Your old man was coming in to work on something and he let me in.” He threw Paul’s father a look of distrust. There had never been any love lost between the two of them although they appeared to be on the same side now, as Paul was dismally aware.
“Yeah, well…you found me.” Paul spread his hands. “Here I am.”
“Yeah but where have you been? And what the fuck have you been doing?” Angel frowned, moving closer with one eye trained on Laurent who stood quietly by Paul’s side.
“What do you think? You heard the vampire.” Paul’s father walked forward too, pointing a finger at him. “You know, I always thought you and Angel here were fucking around and that was bad enough. But now I catch you with a fucking vampire?
What the hell, boy, have you completely lost your mind?”
Paul, Laurent whispered through their link. What would you like me to do? Would it be easier for you if I stepped outside?
No. Hell no. Suddenly Paul was mad—more than mad. Fucking furious. What right did his father or his packleader have to say who he should be with? Who he should love? You stay right here beside me, he told Laurent. I don’t give a fuck what they think— we’re together.
“Well?” Paul’s father bellowed, obviously unaware of the silent conversation going on right in front of him. “I’m not crazy and I’m not ashamed. Laurent and I are together and I don’t give a flying fuck if you like it or not.” Paul reached for Laurent’s hand and laced their fingers together defiantly. Laurent said nothing but squeezed his hand tightly in a silent show of support.
“Seriously?” Angel still looked like he couldn’t believe it.
“C’mon, Angel—don’t look so surprised.” Paul narrowed his eyes. “After all the years you spent teasing me? Offering what you never intended to give? Are you really so fucking shocked that I found someone who would make good on his promises?”
Angel’s face darkened. “I never promised you shit, you fucking maricon. ”
Paul waved his words off. “Yeah, whatever. Tell it however it makes you feel better, ’mano.”
“You’re not my brother and you’re not my friend. Not anymore.” Angel spat on the floor. “But you are still a member of the Locas—for now. Which makes me your packleader. So drop the vamp and get your narrow ass over here, Skulls.”
Paul lifted his chin and stared the other man in the eye. “Fuck you. I’m resigning from the pack—effective immediately.”
Angel gave a disbelieving laugh. “Resigning? There’s no resigning from the Lunas Locas and you fucking well know it. You die or get busted out. I was gonna bust you out since we had so much history together back in the day, but you’re getting awful fucking close to door number two, Skulls.”
Laurent stepped forward. “Are you threatening my beloved? Because I can assure you that such an offense would be fatal on your part.” His voice was cool and deadly, his eyes like chips of hard green glass as he stared at Angel.
Angel growled, his eyes going wolf-gold. “You hijo de puta—you turned my best friend into a mariposa. I’m gonna fuck you up good.”
“You’ll have to go through me first.” Paul stepped in front of Laurent, growling as he let his own wolf come to the surface. “I’m not fucking around, Angel. You touch a hair on Laurent’s head and you’re going to be sorry.”
“That’s it, get out of my garage.” Paul’s father made a disgusted motion at all of them. “You heard me, I’ve had it with this shit— get out.” He looked directly at Paul.
“And don’t come back. Ever.”
“Baby, you don’t mean that.” Lucia grabbed his arm but Paul’s father shook her off.
“The hell I don’t. Look at him—he’s a fucking faggot, Lucia.”
“It doesn’t matter who Paul chooses to be with, he’s still your son.” Lucia’s voice was soft. “And mine too. I won’t stand by and let you make a mistake you’ll both regret.”