"You've got the job."

The studio executive's words made Alastor's smile stretch a little wider. He felt his maman grab his arm in excitement. The feeling of her quietly celebrating at his side made the sharp edges of his smile soften a touch. After all, where would he be without his biggest cheerleader?

"But," the older white man took a puff of his cigar. "I want you to marry my daughter."

Alastor's smile cracked entirely. "Pardon?"

The boss, Mr. Brenner, scoffed and blew smoke in him and his maman's faces. "You think I'm just going to let one of your kind on the air out of the kindness of my heart?"

Eudora coughed, waving away the tendrils of smoke. "Mr. Brenner, please. Isn't this too extreme? I'll give you money, free labor, just don't resort to this."

"Now listen here--" the word that Brenner used next nearly made Alastor crack a tooth from gritting his teeth, "I can accept having your mutt on air because no one has to look at him, and it's easier to hire people of your station when I don't need to show your face. But make no mistake, I still want you on my leash."

Eudora's eyes were growing teary, her dark face more weathered than usual. This wasn't okay. This wasn't fair. Her boy was a natural, he wanted to be a radio star. But she didn't want him married off to some white family, she knew how bad that could go firsthand.

Alastor rested his hand on hers, his demeanor deceptively calm. "It's alright, maman. We will make due, we always do."