Page 50 of Bayou Sunset

As she tiptoed into the kitchen, she set out to prepare a hearty Cajun breakfast for the men, hoping to coax more information from them. Remembering the old adage that “youcatch more flies with honey than with vinegar,” she decided that a warm, generous gesture might do the trick.

Only, the men were in her kitchen, looking in the cabinets and refrigerator. “What ya be doing?”

Steve turned and blushed. Actually blushed. “We, uh, be cooking breakfast.”

They intruded on her life, but they would not intrude on her love of cooking. “Get out of me kitchen,” she demanded.

This was her life. She repeated to herself that she was not a victim. She was taking control of things around her. The men could take a step back and allow the women to resolve the conflicts in her life.

Afterward, she found herself contemplating her next move. Should she invest in a new boat, or should she hope for an invitation from Steve to accompany him to Baltimore?

While taking control of her life and safety was easy, finding the answers to those questions remained elusive.

Chapter Thirty

ROMEO WAS ASTOUNDED by how swiftly Daisy Mae orchestrated another exhilarating treasure hunt, uniting everyone for the adventurous quest. The only obstacle they faced was securing a suitable boat. Due to the unavailability of Daisy Mae’s more extensive charter, they resorted to utilizing Marie’s relatively smaller vessel. Surprisingly, the vessel generously accommodated all six of them, leaving ample space for the treasure her enthusiastic brothers were adamant about discovering.

Romeo’s mission was clear: ascertain if the map in question was the stolen one. Despite his belief in Daisy Mae’s brothers, he couldn’t ignore the possibility that it would have put Daisy Mae in grave danger if they were the culprits. This concern troubled him deeply, adding a sense of peril to the adventure.

It wasn’t too difficult to persuade JP and Pierre to permit Marie and Alice to participate in the hunting expedition. The brothers seemed to be under the impression that the haul would be substantial, necessitating additional assistance transporting the goods. Moreover, they required a boat, and the sisters were the only ones able to provide the discreetness that the brothers valued.

Marie’s eyes sparkled with excitement as the gentle wind tousled her long, flowing hair, sweeping it away from her face. “I be excited,” she exclaimed. “It be a minute since we last went on a treasure hunt together. I be missing it.”

Romeo experienced a surge of excitement as he considered the upcoming events, but he remained steadfast in his commitment to ensuring the crew’s safety. He felt reassured by the fact that Alice was also armed, knowing that he could rely on her support in case the situation went sideways.

Alice cautiously inquired about the elusive map, voicing thequestion Romeo had hesitated to ask directly. “When we be havin’ the opportunity to see dis treasure map?”

JP and Pierre looked at each other and shook their heads. “It be for us to see.”

Romeo pondered the situation, realizing that it was evident they didn’t want the local authorities to discover something. He was almost sure that they possessed the stolen map from Antionne. The pressing issue was how he could retrieve and return it without the brothers ending up in jail. His thoughts turned to Daisy Mae, knowing she would oppose their incarceration.

“Daisy Mae be knowing the direction,” JP said. “She takes us dere.”

Those were brave words, considering it wasn’t JP or Daisy Mae’s boat they were using, but Marie only nodded and allowed Daisy Mae to take the helm. And so, with the wind in their hair and the promise of adventure on the horizon, they set off on another treasure hunt. Keenly aware of their dangers, Romeo vowed to remain by Daisy Mae’s side on the boat, ensuring she was always protected.

The brothers’ behavior grew increasingly guarded and covert as the island appeared on the horizon. Romeo couldn’t help but surmise that they were clandestinely working out the distribution of the anticipated treasure, perhaps pondering how much loot each of them would receive. However, he made a mental note that he had no intention of claiming a share, mainly if the treasure was obtained through illicit means such as a stolen map.

It wasn’t long before Daisy Mae steered them within swimming range of their mysterious island. “I be going,” Daisy Mae said.

“Ya stay with dabateau,” JP ordered.

“I be going,” Daisy Mae argued, resettling her cap on herhead and pulling her hair through the loop on the back.

“Someone has to remain onboard,” Marie said. “I’ll do it.”

“Non.” JP turned from Marie to Daisy Mae. “We need ya to be ready to move should trouble come. Ya know the bayou.”

Having had enough and not wanting to see an argument, Romeo said, “Merde. I stay with Daisy Mae in dabateau. Y’all go ashore.”

He heard Daisy Mae huff beside him, her irritation palpable as the others nodded and began moving. He braced himself for the earful he knew he’d receive later but couldn’t help but smile at the thought. He relished the fiery spirit within her, stirring emotions in him that he never knew existed.

As Romeo predicted, once the others had slipped into the water and were out of earshot, she turned to him, her eyes flashing angrily. “How dare ya try to control me actions?” she exclaimed, jabbing her thumb towards her chest. “I be a fully grown woman, in case ya forget.”

No, he couldn’t forget she was grown. In fact, thinking of her in bed with him made his dick begin to twitch to life. For some reason, it had a mind of its own around her.

Romeo’s lips curled into a smile as he slowly approached her, his movements reminiscent of a predator closing in on its prey. “I no forget, Rocket. I never be forgetting,” he declared with a determined gleam in his eye.

As his hand rose to caress her cheek, he noticed the swift transformation in her eyes from fiery anger to smoldering desire. His love for her surged at that moment. Though he longed to urge her to open up completely, he knew it wasn’t the right time, with the possibility of the team returning soon. This moment had to be just right, and he would ensure it.

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