Page 9 of Rafael

Before either man could move, Rafael was at the door, his big form sucking the air out of Gisele’s lungs.

“The cage?” he asked, his voice deep and rich enough to make Gisele’s mouth water.

Unable to form words, she nodded and movedinto the shop, hoping to put a little distance between her and the air-stealer.

As soon as he set foot in the shop, the space seemed to shrink tenfold, giving her no relief in breathable air.

When his teammates filed in behind him, Gisele stood with her back against a rack of voodoo dolls, trying not to get in the way.

As big as the men were, they gently lifted Johnny’s cage and stood it upright. They’d just got it straight and in the spot it belonged when Remy jerked his hand back and cursed. He held up his bleeding thumb. “He bit me.”

Cheeky bastard, Johnny said and flew up to his favorite perch.

The guys laughed.

“Might need this.” Rafael scooped theI bitesign from the floor and handed it to Gisele.

She took it and grimaced. “Sorry, Remy. I have a first-aid kit beneath the counter.” She started to step around Rafael to get it.

“No, don’t bother,” Remy said. “I’ll take care of it at the house.”

Shelby grinned. “I’ll fix his boo-boo unless you’d rather I stay and help clean up.”

“That’s not necessary,” Gisele said. “I can do it in the morning. I just needed help with Johnny’s cage.”

Shelby turned to the sheriff. “Do you want me to take her statement before I go?”

Sheriff Bergeron shook his head. “I’ll take it. I have Jones on his way over to dust for prints.”

Gisele shook her head. “The burglar was wearing gloves when he pushed me. I doubt he took them off while he was chucking things and nearly killing Johnny.”

“If you’re certain he was wearing gloves, I’ll cancel Jones,” the sheriff said.

Gisele touched a hand to her chest where her attacker had planted both hands and shoved her hard. “I’m certain.”

Standing beside the sheriff, Rafael frowned. “Are you sure he didn’t hurt you?”

Gisele rubbed her backside. “More my pride than anything. I should’ve doused him with mace, only he hit me so hard and fast I didn’t have time to think.”

Rafael’s brow dipped lower.

“Do you have somewhere else to stay tonight?” the sheriff asked.

Gisele shook her head. “I live over my shop. He didn’t break in there.”

“But he could,” the sheriff said.

“I think Johnny scared him off,” Gisele said. “I doubt he’ll be back.”

“Are you willing to bet your life on that?” Rafael asked.

Gisele lifted her chin. “I have my mace and a can of wasp spray. I won’t miss next time.”

Felina Faivre pushed through the men. “Oh, Gisele, you can’t stay here. Come stay with me.”

Gisele’s heart squeezed in her chest. Felina was her friend, and they’d been roommates on several trips to New Orleans, but she was in a new relationship with her guy, Lucas. Gisele didn’t want to be a third wheel. “Thanks, Felina, but I’d rather stay here. I’ll be all right.”

“You could stay with us.” Bernie Bellamy, another one of her friends, hooked her arm through her man’s elbow. “We have a spare bedroom. Gerard and I would feel better if you weren’t alone tonight.”

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