Page 89 of Provoke You

26

Leave the Guns, Bring the Cannoli?

Matt

Andre Benoit had proven he was a smart man. He had a way about him that made him seem honest and kind. It was how he’d convinced an old nurse that Ela needed to stay in the hospital to get better, even if it had to be against her will. It was why I wanted to work for him when I first got to New Orleans. But I’d seen enough of his backhand maneuvers to believe his act anymore.

Lucky for Ela, Ben never trusted Andre. He never stopped being her lawyer. Coming to New Orleans had been a big risk for him, but he did it to ensure Ela got her family’s fortune back. Had Andre guessed yet that Ben was on Ela’s side? I glanced at Ela, who’d been staring out the car window since we left the safe house. She was scared, but she was willing to do whatever it took to make sure this thing with her dad was over.

“When we get to Ben’s house, make sure you stay close to me.”

“You’re not going to ask me to stay in the car?” She slipped her hand into mine. Two days away from her had been too long. It would have been nice to stay home tonight and make up for lost time.

“No. The last time I left you behind, I almost lost you.”

She smiled at our intertwined hands. “If I hadn’t been such a coward, none of this would’ve happened.”

“Don’t do that. If Andre Benoit weren’t such a greedy bastard, none of this would’ve happened.”

“I guess I’m just trying to say thank you. Thank you.” She rested her head on my shoulder.

“Just doing my job,” I teased.

When we arrived at the second safe house, Chase stood by the front entrance, waiting for us. He had scratches on his face, and a few buttons were missing from his shirt.

“What the hell happened to you?” Ela surveyed the bloody marks on his face.

“Ben’s housekeeper happened.” He combed his hair back. “Benoit got to her. She called him when I wasn’t looking.”

“Then he’s on his way.”

“I don’t know how much he heard or understood. But this place is no longer safe.”

Dammit. She’d been helping Andre all this time. Ela almost died at the lake because of her. “Where is she?”

“She took off.” He waved his hand toward the end of the street. “For an old lady, she can move pretty fast. I didn’t want to go after her and leave Ben alone. What now?”

“Now we find a place for the night. Let’s go.”

“Yeah, the old man is getting his papers.” Chase kept his post by the door.

“The old man is ready to go.” Ben met us outside, clutching his briefcase to his chest. After a brief hug, Ela ushered him to the car.

“Where to, Boss?” Kitt climbed in on the driver’s side.

As soon as Chase got in, Kitt hit the gas pedal. I had to think about where to go next. Even if Andre didn’t have our location, he had to at least suspect Ben was in town trying to ruin his plans. Asking Ela’s friends for help would be too risky. Same with the Baroness. We couldn’t be sure who would help Ela or who would turn around and call her dad.

“We could stay at The Saint. They don’t like Dad over there.” Ela exchanged a look with Ben, and he chuckled.

“Let’s do it.” I tapped Kitt’s shoulder from the back seat. Chase pulled out his phone and navigated for him.

“Thank you for not giving up on me.” Ela took Ben’s arm and walked with him into the hotel lobby. I stayed with them and kept watch while Kitt and Chase made the usual arrangements. For a one-nighter, we didn’t need much security. Only a clean way out. That meant two connecting rooms on the second floor, near the stairs.

“Your grandmother was my friend. I promised her I would make sure you were taken care of. I’d hoped Andre would see that it was only fair to give you back your money when you were of age. But he got worse the older you got.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Would you have believed me?” Ben raised an eyebrow.

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