Chapter 6
“We shouldn’t be wasting money on going out for dinner.” Tarek stood in the living room and rested his hands on his waist, his infamous scowl embedded.
She remembered the days when he used to smile. He was quite handsome and reminded her of their late father. It had been so long ago since he’d laughed and smiled freely that it made her sad to think of the man he’d become.
“This is the first time we’ve gone out in…” Tomesha had to pause. When was the last time they had eaten at a restaurant or diner? She racked her brain. “Well, now that I think of it, I can’t even remember when we have. One time isn’t going to hurt.” She ambled over to him and smiled.
He sighed and folded his arms. “I just don’t like this,” he grumbled.
“Eating or the fact that I’m paying?” She tried not to let it hurt her feelings.
It had been a little over two months since she’d started working at the feeding club. The cash flowing in had been a great help for her family. They were caught up on their rent. They had food in the pantry and fridge. She’d even been able to purchase new clothing for all of them.
“Well, I guess I’m ready,” Delonda announced, strolling into the room.
Tomesha turned and grinned at the sight of their grandmother in a pretty dress and her new shoes. Her eyes were bright, and at the moment, it would appear she was in her right state of mind.
“Look at you!” Tomesha rushed over to Delonda and took hold of her hands. She pressed a kiss to each of her cheeks. “You’re so beautiful, Gran.”
“Oh, girl, please. Something must be wrong with your eyes.” Delonda chuckled. She eyed Tarek and gave an approving nod. “You’re looking quite dashing over there, Tarek. Just like your father when he was younger.”
Tomesha entwined her fingers with her grandmother’s and walked alongside her. Delonda stopped in front of Tarek and brushed the backs of her fingers on his cheek. He visibly relaxed at her touch.
“You shouldn’t be so angry all of the time, grandson,” Delonda whispered.
“I’m not.” Tarek sniffed and glanced away.
Tomesha bit her lip to keep her eyes from filling with tears. She released her grandmother’s hand and waved hers in front of her eyes. This wasn’t supposed to be an emotional moment. They were meant to be enjoying each other’s company while she spoiled them a bit with dinner out on the town.
“You are. I can sense it. Life has a way of beating us all down, and we’re strong enough to survive anything. Together.” Delonda’s hand slid down to his chest and patted him above his heart. She motioned for him to lower his head.
He bent down, and she pressed a kiss to his cheek. He lifted his head, and a ghost of a smile appeared.
“Now, let’s go out for dinner and enjoy each other’s company. Yes?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.
His gaze flicked to hers for a moment. He motioned for them to head to the door.
They stepped outside while he locked up the house.
Tomesha offered her grandmother her arm and assisted her down the few steps of the porch.
The small diner they were going to wasn’t located far from their home.
They lived in a residential area populated with people like them.
Hard-working humans who were just trying to make it.
Tarek stayed close behind them while they walked arm in arm.
“It’s such a beautiful day, isn’t it?” Tomesha gazed at the sky.
It was a mixture of blues with a little darkness to it.
The clouds were scattered about, and the sun was nowhere to be seen.
She inhaled and could almost tell there was going to be rain later.
They were going to dine early so they’d make it home before darkness settled in and the rainstorm arrived.
Tomesha glanced over at her grandmother who had a small smile on her face.
“It is. I remember a day when your father was younger. I had extra money and wanted to see his face light up. I took him into town so we could purchase him a toy.” Delonda patted her on the arm as she went into the tale of their father’s childhood.
Tomesha loved hearing about the past. Her grandmother was a wealth of knowledge. Even when she slipped away from them and was in her delirium, a part of her still stayed around.
“I remember Dad talking about his favorite car you had purchased him,” Tarek spoke up. “He always talked about how much he loved that damn thing. He’d wanted to get me one like it, but he could never find one.”
Tomesha remained quiet. Maynard Clay had been a man of few words when he’d returned from war.
His bottle of whiskey had been all he’d wanted.
Occasionally, he’d spoken of the past. Tomesha believed that it hurt for him to be in the present with their mother not there.
He’d lost a part of himself in the war, and then when his wife died, that had taken the rest of him.
He’d been a shell of his former self and never recovered.
Then he’d gone missing. They never knew exactly what had happened to him.
His disappearance had been blamed on the lycans.
She shuddered to think of the attacks just over two years ago.
Lycans had targeted their town, but thankfully, the vampire army successfully defended it, but not without the cost of human casualties.
“I miss him and Mom,” Tomesha murmured.
It wasn’t often they spoke of her parents. Maynard and Maggie had been a handsome couple, but unfortunately, fate had other plans for them. She hoped one day she’d find someone who loved her as much as her father had loved her mother. Maggie had been the apple of Maynard’s eye.
“We all do, but just know they’ll forever live in our hearts. No grief allowed today,” Delonda said. Her voice was strong, and her eyes were just as clear.
“Gran, what would we do without you?” Tomesha said.
“Oh, I’m sure you would figure it out. You two are Clays, and there is a strength inside the both you that gives you the will to survive.”
Tomesha glanced over her shoulder at her brother. He walked with his hands in his pockets. He had a relaxed look to him. Maybe this was what they all needed. Just one day to escape the reality of what they faced. Their eyes met, and he had the nerve to wink at her. She gasped and smiled at him.
Yes, this was what they needed.
She turned back around and continued on their trek. Delonda spoke of what she planned to cook the next day. Excitement bubbled out of her as she gushed about all the baking she had planned. They arrived at the center of town and were only a block away from the diner.
There were plenty of pedestrians out for the day. It looked as if everyone was taking advantage of the decent weather before the storm. They stopped at a corner and waited for the light to change. Cars made their way along the street.
“We’re almost there.” Tomesha pointed to the diner’s sign just up ahead.
“Oh, thank God. This walk has certainly made me hungry,” Delonda said.
“Me, too.” Tomesha couldn’t wait to see what the diner had to offer. She’d heard good things about it from a few of the servers at the club. Her small purse that rested against her hip had enough money to ensure they each could order what they wanted.
“Hey!” someone called out.
Tomesha swiveled toward the voice. Two men stood against the brick building nearest them. She stiffened at the sight of them. Their sinister grins caused her to go on guard. They were dressed as if they had just come from working in the local factory.
“Ignore them,” Tarek muttered behind them. He moved closer to her and folded his arms. He glared over at them while they waited to cross the street.
“I’m talking to you, girl. Don’t hide behind him. We just want to talk with you for a second,” one of the men called out.
“Leave her be,” Tarek snapped.
Tomesha reached out a hand and rested it on his forearm. His muscles were tensed as he continued to glare at the men.
“You ignore them,” she said softly.
He wasn’t even following his own advice. She gave a tight squeeze. The men were probably drunk and being assholes. She eyed them and had never seen them before.
“Come. The light has turned.”
The others who were waiting for the light began walking across the street.
“How you get time with the whore? We want a piece of her, too. Don’t be a cock-blocker,” the taller of the two said.
“What the fuck did you say?” Tarek growled.
Tomesha pulled Delonda back from the street. Tarek spun and stalked toward them. Tomesha released her grandmother and tried to tug her brother back from the men.
“Oh, did we touch a nerve? He must have feelings for her.” The second one laughed.
“She’s my sister and she’s not a whore,” Tarek shouted.
Trying to hold him back was like stopping a charging bull. Her feet slid on the stone sidewalk.
“Tarek. Let it go. It’s all right,” she cried out. She didn’t want her brother to get hurt at the expense of two drunken men shouting barbs at her. She’d admit it hurt, but she’d live with it. What she couldn’t live with was if her brother got hurt defending her, or even killed.
“What are you going to do? Defend her honor?” the taller of the two snapped.
“What honor? She’s a whore. She sells her body for the vampires. She’s too good to take a human cock?” The shorter one grabbed his junk and sent a wink her way.
“Get off me. Go back to Gran.” Tarek shook her hands off him.
“No. Come back. Ignore them!” she shouted.
Delonda arrived at her side as she dove for Tarek again.
“Stay back, my dear,” Delonda said.
“But Gran,” Tomesha cried.
Tears filled her eyes, and she watched her brother size up with both men. The second one moved behind him. Tears began to flow, and she wiped her face. She glanced around. Most of the pedestrians ignored the commotion.
“Someone, help!”
“What kind of man lets his sister whore herself out to the vampires?” The taller one was about the same height as Tarek. He poked his fingers into Tarek’s chest and pushed.
“Watch what you fucking say about my sister.” Tarek shoved the first man away from him.