“I love you, sugar.” Julien kissed her on the lips.
Louis was shocked, but then he realized that he loved her. He just never told her.
He touched her cheek. She looked exhausted but happy.
“That was amazing, sugar. You’re everything I’ve ever hoped for. I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you both, too,” she replied, and Louis kissed her, then Julien.
They snuggled together, and the last thing he thought was how the hell was he going to survive a couple of days without her?
Chapter 10
Illeanna awoke to the feel of soft kisses along her neck and shoulder. She was exhausted. “Hey, sugar, we need to talk,” Louis whispered then kissed her right above her top lip.
“Talk later. Too tired now.”
Julien chuckled.
“She’s tired,” Julien whispered then ran his fingers over the curves of her breasts and hip then to her pussy.
Her eyes popped open.
“Thought that might get you awake,” Julien teased then kissed her again. She was staring at Louis, his long hair styled, and he was fully dressed. A quick glance and Julien and so was he.
“Hey, where are you going?” she asked as she pulled the sheets up and over her breasts then began to sit up against the headboard and pillows. She didn’t like the looks exchanged between the two men.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“We need to go away for a day or two. Not sure how long this will take,” Louis told her.
“Away? Where? Why? How come right now?” she asked, and even she heard the craziness in her voice. They might think she was one of those fatal-attraction chicks obsessed with them. She clutched the sheets tighter to her chest and gulped down the tears beginning to fill her eyes.
“Oh, sugar, don’t get teary-eyed,” Louis told her.
“I’m not,” she stated a bit too firmly.
“We have a job to do. Unfortunately a lot of the times we have to travel for a few days. It’s out of our control.”
She understood that about their jobs. She always noticed when they were gone from town for awhile and she never saw them. Plus Ellena and Angelina would inform her every time the men left.
“This isn’t connected to what happened at the restaurant is it?” she asked.
“No,” Julien replied.
“Then what is it? I don’t want you involved with that case. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you,” she told them, and they both smiled.
“It’s nice to know that you care about us, baby, as much as we care about you,” Louis stated, and she felt her entire body go warm with excitement. They cared for her. They said that they loved her last night. This was hard for them, and she needed to be understanding of their profession. After all, she would be heading back to work soon, too, and they would need to understand.
“Are you sure it has nothing to do with that Phillips guy?”
“Absolutely, sugar. Unless the Feds put him up for a bounty of some kind, then we’d be happy to find the guy and drag his ass in for a reward.”
“Or maybe we’d just accidentally drop him in the Bayou and let the gators have at him,” Julien added, and his expression was fierce. She swallowed hard.
Louis gave Julien a light shove. “Quit it, you’re scaring her.”
Illeanna clasped her hands and felt the worry consume her. She would be worried until they were back home safe again.
“We’re on the hunt for a bounty. It’s good money and we need to keep up with the work. It’s what we do, sugar.”
“I understand. I’ll miss you both,” she whispered and they smiled.
“We’ll miss you, too,” Louis stated then leaned up to kiss her. She clutched his shoulder and then ran a hand through his hair. Their kissing grew deeper until Julien cleared his throat.
Louis pulled away, and then Julien kissed her, taking his sweet time despite the sounds Louis was making behind him.
“We’ll call you tonight,” Julien told her as he pulled away.
“Bye,” she whispered as they left the room.
She suddenly felt ready to cry and also filled with joy at how much they cared for her and she cared for them.
This is so intense. I think I need to talk to Angelique.
* * * *
“What was that all about?” Eloi asked Angelique as he straightened out his uniform shirt. He was headed to work after Remi and he had made love to her.
“Is Illeanna all right?” Remi asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed and put on his boots.
“Illeanna needs to talk. Can you give me a few minutes to get washed up and dressed, Remi? That way you can drive me into Orchidea?” Angelique asked as she looked at both Eloi and Remy. She loved them so much, and this visit with Illeanna would be great. She could ask her about some of her new designs and bring her a sample or two.
“Sure, Angel, no problem. Is it anything we can help you with?” he asked, and she smiled then crawled across the bed to hug him.
“You okay, honey?” he asked, and Eloi looked concerned.
Angelique smiled. “I’m fine. This is why I turned down placing the first storefront out in California. I don’t want to be thousands of miles away from my sisters. Illeanna needs me, and having them in my life means so much.”
Eloi pressed his hand against her cheek and winked at her.
“We support you, baby. Just be sure to eat enough for the little ones while you’re at lunch. Remi can make you something now to snack on for the ride.”
She rolled her eyes, and Eloi raised his eyebrows at her.
He was always worried about her health and well-being especially with the babies. They all were, and she loved them for it.
“I will. Now hurry up and get before multiple crimes occur in town and the sheriff is nowhere in sight,” she teased.
“I’ll see you tonight. Call me later.”
Illeanna stood up and began to make her way to the bathroom.
“I’ll pack a snack and we’ll head out whenever you’re ready,” Remi told her, and she smiled then hurried inside. As she got ready, she thought about Illeanna. She had always been so independent. None of the Aubert sisters had much of a choice. They worked hard and fought for everything they had. Giving into the demands of multiple men in a relationship was a lot to get used to. Angelique was still getting used to her men and their relationship. But she loved them. She could see the love in their eyes as well. The Boudoux had feelings for Illeanna for years. They would love her and protect her. She just knew it.
Angelique rubbed her belly then smiled in the mirror as she turned sideways.
She was growing bigger and bigger every day. She was going to be a mommy.
The tears stung her eyes as the reservations, excitement, and emotions attacked her. Maybe this visit should include all the Aubert sisters. They needed a sisters’ get-together. It had been months since the last one.
Chapter 11
Julien stood behind the large planter in the hotel lobby. A tall column and a private sitting area blocked it. From where he stood, Julien could see his brother Louis speaking with a woman at the front desk and keeping an eye out for their bounty, Jack Pettro. Their investigation led them into Lafayette.
Louis finished up his conversation and looked sort of annoyed as he approached. Louis joined him by the sitting area.
“We missed him by a few hours. The clerk said that Pettro was headed out to Opelousas. She only knows this because he was flirting with her and asked for her number. Said he would be back here after taking care of some business. Looks like we’re traveling again.”
“Or we could stake out the joint here. I don’t want this to turn into a wild-goose chase with us spending money and coming up empty-handed. I still don’t like the fact that Judy knows nothing about this bounty,” Julien stated then rubbed his chin and looked off toward the front lobby.
“I don�
�t like that either, but it’s not completely out of the ordinary for a bounty like this to come up in select alerts. We got a direct fax. It came from the main site, and someone obviously wanted us to be aware of this bounty,” Louis told him.
“That’s what is bothering me, Louis. I called and left a message for Franco’s friend, Michael Fromm. He has his connections and has been keeping an eye on information for Franco in regards to the Phillips case. He could let us know about this guy Pettro and whether or not we should bother.”
“I can’t believe you called him. You seriously think this might be a bogus run?” Louis asked.
“Illeanna is our top priority. You saw her look of fear and apprehension when we said we were leaving for a few days. She was attacked in her own home and nearly abducted. I don’t like that a bunch of fucked-up politicians are involved with this investigation. I don’t like how the federal agents acted either. We both worked for the government as soldiers. You know how far they can be trusted,” Louis stated, and Julien stared at him, looking shocked.
“You okay, Julien? You’re not having flashbacks of Columbia are you?” Louis asked, concerned. Julien gave him a light punch in his arm and shook his head.
“Fuck no! What the hell, Louis? I don’t know, I just have an uneasy feeling.” Julien glanced at his watch.
“Hopefully Fromm will be calling us back soon.”
“Let’s head back to our hotel. I told the clerk to give me a call if Pettro showed up and to keep it on the down low.”
Julien looked toward the clerk, and she appeared kind of frazzled.
“You think she’ll tip him off?” Julien asked.
“Naw, I kind of told her he was wanted for some heavy shit and that she was smart to turn down his offer of a date. She told me that she didn’t and that she suspected he would be back to ask her again. He paid for his room to remain open until the weekend. That's three days. He should be back within that time frame. I scared her, so I think she’ll use some common sense.”
“Good. Let’s head out,” Julien stated, and they walked out of the hotel. As they headed through the parking lot, Julien paused a moment as he saw Louis look around. Julien had a real weird feeling in his belly. He almost felt as if they were being watched. Glancing at Louis, they locked gazes.
“Feel that?” Julien asked, and Louis nodded then unlocked the door to the truck.
They got inside and Louis started the ignition.
“I think you may be onto something, bra,” Louis stated as he pulled slowly out of the parking lot. They both had their sunglasses on as they looked around them. Heading onto the highway they hadn’t noticed anyone following them.
“Keep your eyes peeled.”
“I’m on it,” Julien replied, instantly in military mode. What the fuck have we gotten ourselves into?
* * * *
Before heading to Aubert’s, Gustave brought Illeanna by the construction site to see how the storefront for Secret Pleasures was coming along. She was going to be meeting Angelique there.
As she stepped out of the truck she couldn’t believe her eyes. Remi, Armand, and Marcel had completed a lot of work on the site. The entire outside was nearly complete and the interior was framed out and the workers were laying sheetrock.
“My God, Angelique, this looks so good. You must be excited.” Illeanna stated as Angelique stood beside Illeanna and they looked at the building.
“I am so thrilled and overwhelmed with the possibilities. I may need some assistance with decorating and colors. I have to be certain that everything is perfect because Tye and Mike will be creating a chain of identical stores around the country. It’s scary.”
Illeanna gave her sister a hug and felt the tears reach her eyes.
“You’ve worked so hard for this, Angelique. It will work out fine. I think that the changes to the town will just keep getting better and making Orchidea a real hot spot for families and friends to visit.”
“Especially if we can talk you into opening up a restaurant in town too. We could all remain together. Then we can work on getting Mikayla to open a realty storefront here as well.”
Illeanna chuckled.
“You’ve just got it all planned out huh?”
“You betch ya! I love being around my sisters. I don’t want to move away. That’s why I chose to open my first store here in Orchidea. I think it will be perfect.”
“I know it will be. Let’s head on over to the restaurant, I’ve been looking forward to this get-together.”
Angelique smiled as they headed toward Gustave’s truck.
* * * *
Their laughter filled the restaurant as all four Aubert sisters sat around drinking their Sazeracs while Angelique sipped at her nonalcoholic lavender lemonade.
“Damn these are so, so very good, Ellena,” Angelina complimented then took another sip of the native cocktail.
“Oh they look very good, but this lavender lemonade is just as delicious,” Angelique added, and they all smiled.
“You look gorgeous, Angelique. You’re simply glowing,” Illeanna told her sister as she crossed her legs at the ankles, leaned back, and enjoyed the first moments of relaxation since the attack. Although the men had made her feel loved and cared for, there were still feelings of anxiety and uneasiness about their relationship.
“Thank you, Illeanna,” Angelique stated then smiled as her cheeks turned pinker, and she shyly lowered her eyelashes. She was a sweet young woman who found love after such heartache and fear. Her men helped her though that, and they were always nearby. Illeanna looked out through the windows of the restaurant, past the red gingham curtains, and toward Gustave’s sheriff’s patrol truck. Would he remain outside guarding the entire time? Her body warmed at the thought, and then along with it came the anxiety. This was way serious and perhaps too quick for her usual organized nice and neat motto.
“So spill the beans. What’s got you in such a state? You look happy one moment and the next all tense and stressed?” Mikayla asked, and when Illeanna looked up, all her sisters were watching her. Her shoulders slumped as she took a deep breath and let the air slowly from her lungs.
“It’s been a hell of a week,” she stated, and they made a bunch of small grunts and little comments.
“Ya think?” Ellena stated sarcastically, and they all laughed, including Illeanna.
“You were held by knifepoint at work in the kitchen, you were attacked, beaten, and nearly abducted by some professional hit man, and now you’re living with Johnny, Gustave, Franco, Julien, and Louis Boudoux, engaging in God knows what. I’d say you need a few Sazeracs,” Ellena said.
“God knows what? We all know what she’s been up to. Look at the color on her cheeks, the carefree attitude she has when she’s not overthinking her life. You look fab, Illeanna,” Mikayla stated then lifted her drink toward her sister, toasting her.
“You have a hell of a way of breaking the ice, Mikayla,” Ellena stated then continued.
“Are you all right, sister? We’ve been so worried about you, but those Boudoux are always hovering nearby.”
Illeanna smiled at Ellena. She was the oldest, but she just didn’t trust men. Illeanna figured it stemmed from the past and what she had witnessed with their parents growing up. Over the years, she’d hinted about some bad fights between their parents and about the day their father left their mother. She didn’t give much detail, but whatever went down, it had affected her.
“I kind of feel a bit out of sorts I guess,” Illeanna confessed.
“Out of sorts how?” Angelique asked, holding her gaze.
“You all know I’ve been fighting the Boudoux tooth and nail for over a year now. I’ve been trying to establish my career and make something of myself.”
“Sure, honey, you’ve been doing a fantastic job at both,” Mikayla stated, and they chuckled. Illeanna felt her cheeks warm at Mikayla’s comment.
Illeanna fidgeted with her fingers and felt
compelled to let loose, so her sisters could help her work through these feelings she had.
“You care for them don’t you?” Angelina asked.
“Oh I care for them, yes, but they are so…”
“Demanding, intimidating, bossy, irrational at times, overprotective, strong-willed but so damn sexy and irresistible you find yourself giving up a bit of your independence and accepting them entirely which freaks the hell out of organized, efficient you,” Angelique stated, and Illeanna practically felt her chin hit the floor. She looked at her sisters, and they looked just as surprised, except for Mikayla.
“Damn, woman, that was right on the money. I can tell by Illeanna’s facial expression. I couldn’t have said it any better,” Mikayla replied and leaned back in her chair as if she was enjoying the show and had a clue about multipartner relationships.
“Yes,” Illeanna stated a few moments later when she wrapped her brain around Angelique’s words.
“I know exactly how you are feeling, sister. I had those same feelings, the fear, the concern that I may be in over my head, and the concern that I could be making a huge mistake and ruining my life forever. I fought Armand, Marcel, Remi, and Eloi, and I was so worried about being involved with a ménage relationship that I couldn’t even tell my own sisters. Deep down I know I wanted to give it a try. I wanted to explore the intense feelings that consumed me, but I was afraid because of the past. I was afraid that if I was wrong and they turned out to be like my first relationship, then you would all be disappointed in me,” Angelique said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“Oh God, Angelique, never. We would never do that to you,” Illeanna told her as she reached over and caressed her sister’s knee.
Angelique wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at Illeanna.
“I love them. They love me and have shown me nothing but affection, comfort, and commitment. They are everything I could have hoped for or even prayed for if I had a clue about what real men should be like and how they should treat a woman. They are all unique and special to me in their own separate ways, Illeanna.”
Illeanna Page 15
