Page 51 of Bayou Sunset

With his thumb caressing her soft lips, Romeo asked, “Is it so bad staying on dabateauwith me?”

As if unable to speak, Daisy Mae held his gaze and shook herhead.

Romeo gently brushed his thumb aside as he leaned forward to kiss her. When their lips finally met, an explosion of fireworks seemed to sear through his entire being, flooding his senses with a rush of overwhelming euphoria.

The Hamilton brothers knew they had found something special in the women they had chosen to marry. It was a sense of completion and wholeness that only their partners could provide. That was what Romeo felt in his heart and soul with Daisy Mae.

His tongue slid in between her lips and swept through her mouth, tangling with her tongue. They danced as his mouth covered hers. Her lips were so soft and tasted like she’d applied a peppermint balm to them before heading on the water.

As he entertained that thought, it struck him deeply, causing a visceral reaction as he involuntarily stiffened and pulled back. He realized that he couldn’t allow himself to be sidetracked by Daisy Mae if he wanted to ensure her safety in the event of another shooting.

“We best pay attention,” he said, attempting to refocus his mind on his surroundings.

She smiled at his discreet adjustment of himself in his shorts. “We be okay.” She pointed to his sidearm. “We be okay,” she repeated.

Standing on deck, facing away from the island, they gazed toward the water, the peaceful bayou stretching before them. Thankfully, it was an empty waterway—no trouble in sight.

As the boys scrambled to pinpoint the exact location of the treasure and swiftly bring it aboard their waiting boat, a sense of urgency filled the air between Daisy Mae and Romeo. They needed to depart quickly, and their goal was to make a hasty departure before any potential trouble could find them.

When a signal flare launched from the island, he knew it wastoo late.

Chapter Thirty-One

ROMEO WAS ACUTELY aware that the brothers would not launch the signal flare unless the situation were dire, as they were keen on keeping their location concealed. Acting instinctually, he swiftly dropped his sidearm and tore off his shirt before considering Daisy Mae’s safety.

When he turned to her, he saw her one-piece swimsuit, from which she had already removed her top and shorts. “I be coming,” she said.

Torn between exposing her to potential danger or leaving her to face it alone, Romeo ultimately decided to bring her along. He believed that by staying together, he would have a better chance of protecting her. Additionally, he considered the possibility that someone might be injured and need assistance rather than facing imminent danger. These thoughts gave him hope as they pressed on.

Daisy Mae grabbed the boat key and then turned to him. “Let’s go.”

With a warm smile, Romeo gestured for her to dive into the water ahead of him. He couldn’t help but admire her grace and elegance as he extended his arm. He needed to keep a close watch on her every movement as they made their way to shore.

Upon reaching the island, Romeo felt grateful for wearing aqua shoes, as the terrain was densely covered with lush vegetation. They briskly followed the partly formed trail created by those who had ventured through the island before them, allowing Romeo and Daisy Mae to navigate the island easily.

Going further than he’d been on the previous excursion with the brothers, Romeo’s insides began to knot, and his gut tightened. Something was wrong, and he only hoped to keep Daisy Mae from running headlong into trouble.

As he mulled it over, he became increasingly aware of themagnitude of their problem. His certainty grew when he heard a boat swiftly approaching in the bayou.Merde.How could he ensure Daisy Mae’s safety with his firearm on the boat? He had been so concerned about what had happened to one of the crew onshore that he hadn’t taken the time to put his weapon in a waterproof bag like Alice had done to bring ashore with him.

He longed to have the time to return to the boat and retrieve the weapon, recognizing its crucial importance. Although the danger to Daisy Mae appeared to have dissipated in the bayou, he couldn’t shake the feeling that another threat loomed ahead. “Merde,” he muttered under his breath, feeling the weight of the decision ahead as he stood at a crucial crossroads.

Romeo reached out to Daisy Mae. “Stop.”

“Mais,why?” Daisy Mae asked as she turned to him, concern for her brothers etched on her face.

“Something be wrong.”

“I know. Dat be why we rush.”

He shook his head. “No, something be wrong with dis situation.”

“We need to find mefrèresbefore thatbateaustops at the island.”

He found himself filled with increasing uncertainty. Despite his misgivings, he could only cling to hope that his suspicions were unfounded and that a member of the crew had indeed suffered an injury and not a threat to their life.

“Let’s go,” she insisted and was off before Romeo could stop her.

He hurried behind Daisy Mae to catch up to her jog through the brush to where the flare had been launched. She tripped and fell, and he helped her up.

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