Page 22 of French Quarter Heiress

And in that moment, despite the chill of the night seeping back into my bones and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring, I find myself believing him. "Alright," I concede softly.

With one last lingering kiss, Beau finally pulls away from me. He helps pull up my jeans before tugging his own back up. Without another word, he takes my hand and leads me out of the alleyway and towards whatever waits for us beyond this night.

12

BEAU

Isit in my office at The Lunar, a glass of whiskey in my hand and a scowl on my face. It's been days since my encounter with Elise, and I can't shake the memory of her words, the fire in her eyes as she vowed to destroy me and everything I've built.

A sudden commotion outside my door snaps me out of my reverie. I look up just as Luc bursts into the room. "We have a problem, boyo," Luc growls, slamming his hands down on my desk. "The police just raided our Capital Street warehouse. They seized all the booze and cash." Luc's eyes flash with anger as he takes a seat across from me. "This is unacceptable, Beau. I thought you had Renard under control."

I feel a surge of anger, my grip tightening on my glass. "I did. But it seems the vamps got to him somehow, flipped him back."

Luc leans forward, his voice low and intense. "Then we need to send a message, one they won't forget. We're going to hit them where it hurts the most - their bank. They fuck with my money, and we fuck with theirs."

My eyes widen in surprise. "The Delacroix Bank? That's a fortress."

Luc smiles, a cold and calculating thing. "Exactly. And that's why they'll never see us coming. We'll strike in broad daylight when they're at their weakest. They wanna play dirty, we’ll play dirty, yes, sir."

I nod, a slow grin spreading across my face. "I like the way you think, boss. It's a bold move, but if anyone can pull it off, it's us."

"Fortune favors the bold. And the Crescent City Wolfpack is nothing if not bold. Beau, assemble your best men. We strike tomorrow at noon."

As we approach the Delacroix Bank, I can't help but marvel at the sheer opulence of the building. It's a testament to the wealth and power of the vampire clan, a towering edifice of gleaming white marble and gold-plated accents. The midday sun reflects off the polished stone, creating a dazzling display that's almost blinding.

In front of the bank, a massive golden statue stands guard, her arms outstretched as if to welcome the wealthy patrons. Water cascades from her fingertips, flowing into an intricate series of fountains and pools that line the entrance. The sound of the water is soothing, almost hypnotic, a stark contrast to the violence that's about to unfold.

I can feel the resentment bubbling up inside me as I gaze upon the golden statue, a symbol of the Delacroix's excess and greed. How many times have I passed by this very spot, looking up at the towering figure with a mixture of envy and disgust? The vampire clan flaunts their wealth and power, lording it over the rest of us like we're nothing more than dirt beneath their feet.

But today, we're here to send a message, to show them that even the mighty can fall. With a deep breath, I tear my eyes away from the statue and focus on the task at hand. We have a job to do, and I can't afford to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment.

Not even when my memories of Elise moaning and writhing are still so fresh in my mind. If I’m idle for too long, my mind always seems to trail back to her. And that thrilling night we both shared.

I shake my head, trying to banish the distracting thoughts, but it's too late. In a moment of distraction, a guard gets the drop on me. I brace myself for the impact, but it never comes. Instead, I hear the sharp crack of a gunshot, and the vampire drops to the ground, a silver bullet hole in his forehead.

I turn, my eyes widening in surprise. Jimmy, one of my most trusted enforcers, stands behind me, gun still smoking and his face a mask of concern. "What the hell was that? You almost got yourself killed!"

"I... I don't know. I got distracted, I guess," I admit, my heart pounding in my chest.

Jimmy frowns, his eyes narrowing. "Distracted? By what? We're in the middle of a fucking heist, Beau. You need to keep your head in the game."

I nod, my jaw clenching. He's right. I can't afford to let my thoughts drift, not when so much is at stake.

We finish the job, making off with a fortune in cash and valuables. But as we make our escape, as the adrenaline starts to fade and the reality of what we've done starts to sink in, I can feel Jimmy's gaze on me, heavy with suspicion and concern.

He pulls me aside, his voice low and urgent. "Beau, we need to talk. This isn't the first time you've let yourself get distracted like that. The two times you let Elise escape, and now this? The pack is starting to notice, starting to talk."

I bristle, my hackles rising. "The pack doesn't know what they're talking about. I'm fine. I'm just... working through some things."

"Working through what, exactly? Your feelings for Elise?" Jimmy asks, his expression grim. "Beau, she's the enemy. She's a fucking vampire, for Christ's sake. You can't let yourself get caught up in whatever twisted game you two are playing."

I open my mouth to argue, to defend myself, but the words die on my lips. Deep down, I know he's right. I'm playing with fire, letting myself get drawn in by Elise's dark allure. And if I'm not careful, I'm going to get burned.

"Who said I was in love with a leech?" I growl, my voice rough with emotion. "I'm doing my job. Nothing more."

Jimmy sighs, his expression softening. "I get it, Beau. I do. But you have to think about the pack, about your responsibilities as Luc's right-hand man."

"I said I'm not into her. Back off." My words are harsh, but I know he's right. I have a duty to my pack, to my Alpha.

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