The Best Laid Plans (Brothers of the Bayou)

by Peterson, Renee

  “Shit, shit shit, what time is it” she said frantically out loud to no one in particular as she remembered what she forgot. She searched for the time. Her class started in just under an hour. Running to the bed, she shook Beaux to wake him up.

  “Wake up Beaux. My class starts today. We have less than an hour to get there!”

  “Mmhmm.”

  “Come on Beaux, we have to get going,” she said as she shook him again.

  Suddenly alert to being shaken, he shot up in bed. “What’s going on Lacy, are you okay?” he asked not registering the words she had spoken.

  “My class starts today Beaux. You know, the entire reason I had to return to South Carolina?”

  He jumped out of bed and they made short work of dressing and brushing their teeth. Running out the door, they picked up coffee and a pastry to eat on the way.

  “What will you do while I’m in class?” she asked.

  “I’ll be sitting right outside.”

  “You don’t have to do that Beaux. The detective told us Levi and Monica will be nearby. I’ll be fine.”

  “All the same, I’d rather remain close by.” The discussion was closed. Lacy had no desire to debate it, because honestly she wanted him nearby. They reached their destination and still had ten minutes to spare. Lacy smiled with pride as she heard various comments from other girls in the class wondering who that sexy guy was outside. He’s all mine, she wanted to shout but there was no need since a few minutes later Beaux came in to drop off a book she left in the truck. When he left she couldn’t help laughing when the girl next to her commented, “Damn girl, what I wouldn’t give to be in your shoes.”

  The professor was running late and now Lacy was feeling out of place. She was older than most of the class and at a different stage in life. While they sat talking of their summer trips to the beach getting trashed, she thought of Beaux and the situation her father had trapped her in. When the professor finally arrived, she gladly took out her notebooks and concentrated on what he had to say.

  While Lacy was in class, Beaux made some phone calls. First he called his mom, to tell her they arrived in South Carolina.

  “How was your trip cher?”

  “Interesting,” he answered. He couldn’t lie to his mother but for sure she didn’t need to know the full extent right now.

  “Tell Lacy I said hi. Did she make it to her class?”

  “I will mom. She’s in her class right now.”

  “Oh here comes Jared down the driveway. Let me call you back later.”

  “Wait mom, don’t hang up. I need you to put Jared on the phone.”

  “Hold on a minute. Let me run outside and get him in here.”

  Beaux heard static and noises as his mom set the phone down. Minutes passed before Jared finally picked up the line.

  “Why didn’t you call me back last night?” Beaux demanded.

  “I’m not the brother you know, remember?”

  “Cut the shit Jared. You know I was just pissed.”

  “Is that supposed to be an apology?” Jared sneered.

  “What are you two boys arguing about now,” he heard his mom ask to which Jared replied, “Everything is fine mom, Beaux’s just being Beaux.”

  Beaux growled. “Just forget it. I’ll figure it out on my own without your help.”

  “Hold on Beaux. What’s up? I was just giving you a hard time. I never got your message or I would have called.”

  Beaux gave him the rundown of last night’s event.

  “I’m sorry Beaux. I really do hate that this is all happening. Levi and Monica are great though. They are two of the best security folk we have out there and Monica has some pretty hot curves doesn’t she? They won’t let anything happen to Lacy. Just be careful and do what you are asked.”

  Leave it to Jared to make sexual innuendos at a time like this. Would he ever grow up?

  “Is there anything else you can tell me that I should know?”

  Jared hesitated, debating if he should tell.

  “We have Justin and Sara under security detail also.”

  “Shit, Jared. How long is this crap going to continue?”

  “Not too much longer little bro, if we have our way.” When Beaux didn’t respond Jared pick up the conversation again. “It’s asking a lot, but just have faith in the system.”

  That didn’t make Beaux feel any better but he didn’t want to push Jared any further. He had to believe that if there was imminent danger, he would let them know. He hung up and made the next call. Not sure if Justin would be at work, he hoped he would still answer. Luckily he picked up the call right away.

  “I was expecting you to call. Did you make it in okay?”

  “Yes and no.” He went on to relay the story of last night.

  “That explains a lot. We had some suits show up last night. I took them outside so Sara couldn’t hear, but they have security surrounding us now too. I made them come up with an elaborate ruse to keep Sara in the dark as much as possible. I’m really worried about her and the baby if she finds out everything. This is really bad Beaux. I don’t think we ever dreamed of how bad.”

  “I know. Look, Lacy’s class is almost over so I have to get going. Keep me updated with anything new okay?”

  “Sure thing, you do the same.”

  Beaux walked back to the classroom feeling more stressed than before. Danger was mounting; he’d be a fool not to know that. He had never been afraid of a challenge, but the idea of Lacy being in the middle scared him to his core.

  Chapter 7:

  “How was class?” Beaux greeted Lacy was a kiss.

  “Good. I shouldn’t have any problems passing it this time. The professor who is teaching the summer class is the same one that taught last semester’s class.”

  “I’ll help you anyway I can chère.”

  “I have an idea.” Lacy exclaimed finally looking happy for the first time since arriving home. “Let’s go on one of the cruises around the Charleston Harbor.”

  “I don’t know Lace. Under normal circumstances I would love to. But what if someone follows you onto the boat?”

  “Please Beaux? I just want to act like everything is normal. That is the only way I can cope right now.”

  Beaux had his doubts, but he couldn’t deny her anything that would bring a smile to her face. Goodness, but he loved this woman who stood before him staring at him with earnest eyes. “Okay Lacy, we will go.” He was rewarded by Lacy jumping up, wrapping her arms around him and filling his neck with kisses.

  “Thank you, Beaux”

  “Uh, Lacy, unless you want return to our room first, you might want to stop that.”

  “Hmm, that sounds like an even better idea.”

  And so they went back to their hotel, indulging in each other as they reclaimed the joy they had found in the bayous. The week continued in a similar routine; mornings spent at the school and afternoons spent behind the privacy of closed doors. No more threats occurred and no suspicious activity reported. They were lulled into a false sense of security, believing that the danger had blown over. Saturday evening came all too soon and Beaux had no choice but to return to Louisiana for work.

  “Promise me you’ll be careful Lacy. Don’t go out after dark and carry your phone at all time.”

  “I’ll be fine Beaux, stop worrying. Levi and Monica will still be here. All I plan on doing is staying here and studying and if I do go anywhere, Monica will drive me.”

  “Are you sure you can’t do this class online or something? I’d feel much better if you came back to Louisiana with me. Sara and Justin would love to have you back so soon.”

  “We’ve been through this Beaux. You know if I could I would.” A tear fell as she came to terms with the reality of having to separate. He engulfed her in his embrace, smelling her hair, memorizing her scent and the way she felt against his chest. Kissing away the tears on her cheek, he then forced himself to step away and get in his truck.

  “Good bye Beaux.”
Lacy choked down her sobs as she gave him one last kiss through the window.

  “Two weeks and I’ll be back ma chère. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  She stood in the parking lot, staring after his truck, long after it was gone, then went back to her room and cried until she had nothing left in her. Several hours later there was a knock on the door. Scared and surprised, she grabbed the can of mace before looking out the peep hole. To her astonishment, Monica stood outside. To this point, both she and Levi had kept their distance.

  “Can I come in?” she asked.

  “Okay.” How else could you answer your bodyguard she wondered?

  “I just wanted to make sure you are ok. I thought you might not want to be alone.”

  “Is that allowed?”

  Monica laughed. “Yes it’s allowed. We kept our distance before because we knew Beaux and you wouldn’t welcome our intrusion.”

  “Oh, well thank you I guess.”

  “If you don’t want me here, just say the word and I’ll go back to my hiding spot. I’ve a pretty good disguise to work on next” Monica joked. Lacy hadn’t considered she may actually have a personality. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a little company.

  “No, it’s fine. Stay awhile.”

  They talked and laugh. Other than Sara, Lacy hadn’t had many girlfriends, and she enjoyed the conversation. When Beaux called from his first rest stop, Monica discreetly excused herself, giving Lacy the privacy she cherished, even just for a phone call. Hearing his voice sent waves of longing through her body and she ached for his touch. His voice was in competition for his sexiest attribute and she let him continue a story of road construction that would have been otherwise boring, except that she could listen to him talk about anything and still be turned on. She must have gotten lost in her thoughts of him because the next thing she heard was him telling her he was going to drive for a few more hours before stopping.

  “Be safe Beaux. Call when you stop please.”

  “I miss you already.” She felt the same wistfulness she heard in him.

  The next two weeks passed as quickly as she could have hoped. She threw herself into studying, proving to her professor she had learned the material this time. She and Beaux emailed constantly, but calls were sparse as phone signals off-shore was sometimes erratic. The Friday before his return, she made a trip to town. She stopped by the mall, buying some lingerie to welcome Beaux back in. While paying for her purchases, she caught Monica’s eye across the room and received a knowing wink of approval. Lacy blushed but couldn’t wait to put her purchases to work tomorrow.

  Saturday arrived bright, sunny and hot. Beaux was on his way and Lacy felt she would explode. In just over a week she would be finished with her class and moving to Louisiana. Life was perfect, as long as she forgot she was living out of a hotel under police protection. Monica spent the morning with her to pass the hours until Beaux was back. The more she knew Monica, the more she thought Jared and her would be perfect if they ever calmed down. They both took their work very seriously, but their personal lives were a different matter.

  Early in the afternoon, Beaux called that he was only an hour away. Lacy jumped in the shower, excited and filled with anticipation. She dressed in the sexiest of her new lingerie and waited on the bed for her lover. Beaux had kept a key to the room and opened the door without knocking. When he saw her lying seductively, waiting for him, he dropped his bags, kicking the door closed as an afterthought. He rushed to her, sweeping her in his arms and showering her with the longing they had been denied, both enjoying the taste and feel of each after too long an absence.

  The next morning they ordered in their breakfast, unwilling to let the outside world enter their romance. After a leisurely morning of creating pleasure they still lay in bed, simply enjoying being together. Suddenly Lacy jumped up and ran to the bathroom with an upset stomach. A concerned Beaux followed after her, holding her hair back as her stomach expelled her breakfast. When at last she was done, Beaux wet a washcloth and wiped her face.

  “Are you feeling okay mon amour?” Beaux frowned as he studied Lacy’s face. He hadn’t noticed before, but she looked pale and tired.

  “I’ll be fine. I had a touch of some virus earlier this week and I guess it came back.”

  “Come on Lace; let’s get you back in bed.”

  “I’m sorry Beaux. I hate that you came back to this, but I feel like I can’t stay awake. You must have worn me out last night.” Her attempt at a joke did not deter Beaux’s concern. He was worried and if she wasn’t better by tomorrow he would insist that she saw a doctor.

  Lacy napped for the better part of the afternoon while Beaux stayed close by her side. When she woke up, she insisted she felt better and they studied for her final week of class. They fell back into their routine and on Monday morning Beaux dropped her off at class and remained outside waiting for her. On Tuesday afternoon, they stopped by the police department to arrange for an escort to Lacy’s apartment and remind them Lacy would be moving out of state. They had decided most of her furniture would be donated to a local charity. Beaux’s home was fully stocked with essentials and they wanted to choose new décor together, that reflected both of them, so there was no need to take much, but she still had items to pack that she could not part with. The department didn’t have any officers to spare until Saturday, so they would have to wait until Sunday to return home.

  Beaux was still worried about Lacy. She tried to hide it, but twice she had gotten sick again and was always tired. When he asked her to see a doctor, she said it was just stress and once her final exam was over she would be fine. On Friday, Beaux cooked breakfast in the little kitchenette of the hotel room. He wanted everything perfect for Lacy today. She had her final exam and he knew how important it was. After breakfast, they went to the college and Beaux paced the length of the hallways while Lacy took her exam. Two hours later she came out grinning.

  “I think I aced it!”

  Beaux whooped and spun her around.

  “Let’s celebrate!” He hadn’t told Lacy, but he had gone online, searching reviews for the best restaurant in Charleston and they had reservations for tonight. He smiled thinking of the small, velvet box sitting in his bag.

  “How do you suggest we celebrate?” Lacy teased.

  “Ah chère, we will have a very private celebration later, but first we have reservations at Harbor Chalet.”

  He loved when Lacy squealed with delight. Her enthusiasm for life was contagious and she was his Joie de Vivre.

  Back at the hotel, Lacy insisted Beaux leave so she could get ready and surprise him. Reluctantly he agreed and walked down the street to buy her some flowers. While he had rose bushes at his house, the choices at the flower shop were overwhelming. He made the mistake of asking for advice, and the florist launched into a speech of the correct flower for every occasion.

  Lacy heard a knock on the door and saw Monica through the peephole. Monica was going to style her hair, and she opened the door letting her in, but too late did she realize that her hands were tied and someone was behind her with a gun to her back. Lacy froze at the sight of Jeff standing in her room.

  “Miss me baby?” he leered and Lacy forced the bile back down her throat. “Don’t even think about it,” he threatened as Lacy inched toward her purse on the bed that held her phone and mace.

  “What are you doing here Jeff,” Lacy asked willing her voice to stop quivering.

  “You messed up my plans my sweet angel. You ran off crying to your daddy about me and now he’s cut me out of my share.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My father and I are not even on speaking terms.”

  “Don’t play dumb with me you bitch. No one can be that naïve about everything.”

  Monica jerked attempting to kick him where he would be incapacitated, but Jeff was quicker and slammed the gun into her head, knocking her down and leaving a bloody gash. Lacy stifled a whimper, praying for a mir
acle or Beaux to return. If only she hadn’t been so vain in wanting to surprise him.

  “Now I’m going to pay you back, but we are going to have some fun first for old time’s sake.”

  Lacy screamed as he pushed her on the bed and slid the strap of her dress down over her shoulder.

  Something wasn’t right. Beaux felt it sure as the day turned to night. He ran out of the flower shop leaving the owner mid-sentence. He sprinted back to the hotel grabbing his gun when he heard a scream. Unlocking the door he went mad at the sight of Lucy struggling under the form of a large man.

  “Get off of her now,” he roared as loud as his lungs allowed. His gun still in tow, he lunged at the man pulling him off of Lacy, using his unannounced arrival to his advantage. Beaux wrapped his fingers around the man’s neck ready to strangle him with his bare hands when he saw the man’s gun lying on the bed within reach. A fortuitous mistake for Beaux that Jeff had released it in his attempt to violate Lacy. Unable to let go of the man, he yelled for Lacy to grab it. Still in shock the words registered slowly and the man writhed with all his might to break free. Beaux punched him in the temple, and the man went temporarily unconscious. Covering the man with his body, Beaux stretched out over the bed and grabbed the abandoned gun.

  Suddenly there was a flurry of activity as officers swarmed the room. When the man was taken over by police Beaux was finally free to go to Lacy. Never in his life had he hurt this bad. He could have killed that man when he saw her on top of Lacy. Once again they were in a scene being questioned by authorities. Lacy was still in a state of shock and wouldn’t speak. The officers showed no empathy and kept badgering until Beaux lost his temper. “Can’t you see she’s in shock,” he yelled.

  The paramedics came in and as they were laying a still unconscious Monica on a gurney, Detective Martin walked in. Thank you God, he prayed. He told him what happened from his point of view and the state Lacy was in. He begged for a few minutes alone with her.