Page 35 of Bayou Sunset

“Mefrères?” she asked, stunned. “What do dey have to do wit dis?”

“It either be da map or someone wants ya business?”

“How can ya know that? Ya only been here for a few days.”

He had a gut feeling that he was right about this. “It mightnot be, but those be my professional guesses. The boys will determine the problem, and we'll resolve it.”

“Do we include me?”

He was determined not to let her put herself in any more danger. However, he knew she might withdraw from the situation or convince others to let her participate. He believed it was in her best interest to stay by his side. “Can ya stay by me side through dis?”

With pleading eyes, she asked, “Only through dis?”

“That be a talk for another time. The boys be waiting. Let's get some breakfast. Some insatiable woman helped me work up an appetite dis morning.” Tension hung heavy in the air as he leaned over to kiss her. She hesitated, and his heart cracked with uncertainty. Then, finally, she leaned in and kissed him. It wasn’t a passionate or romantic kiss but held more profound, unspoken significance.

He could work with that.

Chapter Twenty

ATDUKE'S, DAISY Mae contemplated whether she'd run into high school with the prank Ash and Rob told her they’d played on Steve. Her poor Romeo. No, she still couldn't call him that, especially not after their night together.

Rob recounted a time when Steve was assisting another agent. “Apparently, he decided to go horseback riding without wearing any underwear. Quite a hilarious mistake.”

Steve let out a frustrated growl. “It be because someone done stolen all of my underwear,” he said, irritation lacing his words.

Rob and Ash didn’t contain their laughter, filling the room with their hearty guffaws. As they shared this moment, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle twitch at the corners of Steve’s mouth, indicating his attempt to conceal his amusement with a smile.

Daisy Mae was utterly taken aback by the story they had just shared with her. Did they genuinely believe she needed to know that he had gone commando? Of course, they probably assumed the two were lovers.

The idea of labeling herself and Steve as “lovers” had always seemed like a distant dream to her.

“Sorry, Daisy Mae.” Ash gave her a wide, bright smile. “Romeo is too easy and fun to pick on.”

Daisy Mae hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “I think,” she said while trying to remain composed, “that ya be nothing but a bunch of high school kids.”

They immediately sobered.

Steve touched her arm, and her body flushed with heat. “No need to worry. I got the guys back for what dey did. It all be in good fun.”

“Anyhow,” Rob said, putting down his fork after cleaning hisplate, “let's talk about why we're here.”

At Duke’s, breakfast was a hearty spread featuring eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes, and biscuits. Every patron received this substantial meal, whether they desired it all or not. While not overwhelming, it was still more than Daisy Mae could finish.

“Somebody be bothering Daisy Mae. There be the shooting—”

“Shooting?” Rob echoed.

Steve turned to her. “You be there for it all. Go ahead.”

That made Daisy Mae remember Steve disarming her, and she wanted to slug him. “Abateaufollowed us.”

Rob and Ash appeared confused, so she clarified, “Boat for youcouyons.” She didn’t explain that one for them.

“While the guys be on the island, thebateauwent by and sprayed mebateauwith bullets. Dey mostly missed, so dey came around again. Steve be there the second time.”

“Steve?” Ash queried with his brows raised.

“I like it better than that Romeo youcouyonscall him.” Daisy Mae placed her napkin beside her half-full plate. “Excuse me. I need the ladies' room.”

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