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he snapped, Now see here, Leroy. I
Of course, Leroy, Sapian replied, cutting off Colin and
completely ignoring his outraged expression. I ll be waiting
just outside the door. Holler if you need anything else, he
told him, spinning on his heel and heading back down the
trail. Before he disappeared between the bushes, he tilted his
head, flicked out his tongue, and gave a nod. Leroy guessed
it was directed toward Caladon.
Well? Leroy drew out the word drolly.
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Charlie Richards
Chapter Eleven
fter returning Sapian s nod, Caladon focused on his
A
mate, taking in Leroy s combative stance. His little mate
had never struck him as the confrontational sort, but he
could see the lines of tension vibrating through his sweet
human s body. Leroy did not want to face off against his
father, but he would& for Caladon.
Heart swelling with an emotion he couldn t name,
Caladon tried to figure out the best way to help his mate.
You were rude to your mother, Colin accused.
Leroy jerked a nod, not even trying to defend himself. I
was.
That s inexcusable, boy. You will apologize to her in
person& tomorrow.
His eyes narrowing, Leroy remained quiet for a moment.
Finally, he shook his head. Tit for tat, Dad, he stated, his
hands clenching, nearly hidden by his elbows where he d
tucked them. Are you going to apologize for trying to break
up me and my partner?
While Caladon s heart thudded at that proclamation,
Leroy s father sputtered. Partner, the man sneered. You
wish to take some unknown negro as your partner. I ve
looked into his past, he claimed.
Leroy didn t respond, just lifted an eyebrow.
Caladon tried to remember what Raymond had kept in
his available past. He didn t have long to wait, because Colin
only too happily told all about it.
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Accepting Caladon s Scales
He s divorced with a son, who lives in another state with
a foster parent. His wife died, and he was such a horrible
person that the state wouldn t even give him custody, Colin
snapped. It doesn t take a genius to know why his own son
hasn t spoken to him in years. I can hazard a few guesses
about why that d be.
And you d be wrong, Leroy replied, his tone quiet,
cold.
Colin scoffed. Why? Because your partner said so? He
hasn t been to college. He has no income. He s using you!
With each word, Leroy s father s voice rose in volume until
he practically screamed the last accusation.
Leroy snorted. He uncrossed his arms and rested his
hands on his hips. He curled his lip as he looked his father
up and down. Then, his beautiful brown eyes glittering
under the greenhouse lights, Leroy stated, You wanna
know why he hasn t spoken to his family in so long? Why he
missed his wife s funeral? His son growing up? Because he s
a fucking POW. Almost two decades as a captive in some
godforsaken land the rest of us aren t even allowed to know
our country is fighting in. As for his son He paused and
smirked. His son and the foster father are right here in this
mansion, come to resume ties. Finally, he stalked forward
and poked his father in the chest. My partner is a fucking
hero. He lowered his voice and growled his last few words.
Are you ready to apologize now?
Shock and pleasure at his mate s imagination filled
Caladon. He watched with interest as he waited to see how
Leroy s father would respond.
For several seconds, Colin gaped, looking uncertain and
confused. Then, he snapped his mouth closed with an
audible click. His jaw tensed and he threatened, If you
don t discontinue on this destructive path, I will make
93
Charlie Richards
certain you lose your job. Then who will be the
breadwinner?
That got to Leroy. Caladon knew it by the change in his
scent, and while he couldn t see much color in his current
form, he could scent Colin s smug satisfaction, telling him
that his mate s father knew that he d upset Leroy, too.
Caladon really wanted to shift and go to his mate, stand
beside him, but his clothes were on the bench right next to
Leroy.
Caladon decided to do the next best thing& all the while
praying their mating bond was strong enough not to send
Leroy running right along with his father. Yes, he knew he
was a fucking scary looking snake.
Uncoiling from the low-hanging branch he d been curled
around, Caladon headed down the trunk and between the
shrubs. As he moved, he listened to Leroy gasp out, You d
cost me my job because of who I m involved with?
No, Colin replied coolly. You would cost yourself your
job because of who you re involved with. I warned you. I
warned him!
Fine, Leroy snapped. I won t work at the hospital
anymore. Caladon won t work in town. Are you done here?
That s it? Colin roared. You d throw everything away
for some negro!
No, Leroy replied.
The harsh retort stopped Caladon in his tracks.
Not some negro, Leroy continued. But I would throw
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