Black exited Café du Monde and slipped his sunglasses on. It had been years since he’d felt this energized and excited about a kill. Of course, this one held special meaning for him. Revenge was a strong motivating factor.
Anticipation coursed through his veins as he stepped off the curb to cross the plaza. Bernard Antiquities resided on Royal Street and he suddenly felt the need to do a little shopping.
* * * * *
“Marie, there’s a Mr. Jenkins here to see you.”
The cup Marie was reaching for spilled its contents across the desk as her hand jerked.
“Jeez. You’re jumpier than a bullfrog in Calaveras County,” Dorothy, her store manager, said.
“Sorry,” Marie apologized as she grabbed a roll of paper towels from the desk drawer. Before Boston, she’d never kept paper towels in her office.
“I’ll clean this up,” Dorothy took the towels from her. “You go wait on Mr. Jenkins. He has that filthy rich look to him. Hopefully, he’s not a tightwad.”
Marie relinquished the roll then clamped her hands together to keep them from shaking. It couldn’t be Black. He wouldn’t just walk into the store, would he?
“Lipstick.”
Marie turned back to her manager. “What?”
“Lipstick.” Dorothy opened the top desk drawer and tossed Marie her lipstick. “You’re pale. Not sleeping?”
“No.” Marie quickly applied the makeup, using the mirror beside the office door. “I’ll be back.”
Entering the main showroom, Marie searched for Mr. Jenkins, then moved to the smaller specialty rooms when she couldn’t find him. She stopped in the doorway to the room dubbed “The Gallery”.
Black must have sensed her presence, because he turned around before she could announce herself. “This is quite a collection.” In black trousers, taupe turtleneck and leather bomber jacket, Black easily blended into the tourist crowd. “All are early American artists.”
Never again would she look at an attractive and intelligent man without thinking how much evil could be hidden behind the mask. “Yes, just one of our specialties. Is there anything specific I can help you with?”
“I was hoping for a status report.”
Marie looked both ways to ensure their privacy before stepping into the room. “I’ve managed to track down most of the pieces. I should have information on the missing furniture soon.”
“Six days. That’s all you have left, Miss Bernard.”
A shiver traveled down her spine at the harshness in his words. “I’m aware of that. Later this morning, I’m going out to start the search.”
Black smiled what most people would have interpreted as a friendly smile, but she knew there was no warmth behind it.
“You’ve affirmed my confidence in you.”
Her senses suddenly fluttered, like her stomach did every time LD was close by, distracting her from the conversation at hand. Surely LD wasn’t here. Black cleared his throat and she returned her attention to her immediate concern. “That’s a good thing?”
“Yes, you wouldn’t want me displeased.”
“Marie.”
Marie turned to see a normally levelheaded Dorothy standing in the doorway, flustered and flushed. What now? “Yes?”
“Mr. LD Carmouche is waiting for you at the front counter.”
Black laughed softly as her head spun. “My, you are popular today, Marie. Now, why don’t you go see what the boy wants?”
Marie stood rooted to her spot for several seconds, undecided as to what to do. If she stayed, LD would come looking for her and that wouldn’t be a good thing. Decision made, she turned and started for the door. As she passed Black, rage emanated from him like a wave and hit her with a blinding force. Placing a hand against the wall, she steadied herself. “You’re going to kill him.”
“No.” His voice was ice-cold.
“Yes, you are. I sense it. You’re so full of hate it pours off you. You can’t control it anymore. The hate and the anger has become a part of you.”
Black closed the space between them, pressing her back against the wall. His warm breath against her face caused her stomach to roll. “You’re right, I do hate LD. I’ve planned this for a very long time. Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill him. What I have planned is far worse than death.”
LD studied the items in the display case and figured the value of the merchandise he could see was worth more than what most people made in a lifetime. Straightening, he surveyed the store. It looked totally different in the daylight. At night, it could pass for a little shop of horrors.
“LD.”
Marie’s voice came from directly behind him. He really wished she’d stop sneaking up on him, he thought as he turned. “I brought a peace offering from Café du Monde.” He moved, showing her the coffee and beignets on the counter behind him. “You look tired.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“I know we didn’t part company on the best terms yesterday.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
He paused for a few seconds and studied her. Her tone was sharp, but at least she hadn’t tossed him out of the store. Yet. “Sarcasm doesn’t become you, Marie.”
“Well, it seems to become me when you’re around.”
“Maybe you should try implementing the saying ‘If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all.’”
“Me? What about you? The world would be so peaceful if you’d only follow that simple rule.”
LD nearly bit off his tongue to keep from flailing words at her that would only prove her point. Instead, he handed her one of the coffees. “Truce. Okay? I didn’t come here to argue.”
“Truce, but next time, bring chocolate.” She sipped her coffee and smiled. “You’re improving, you found me before noon. Are you going to follow me again today?”
He took a deep breath and counted to ten, he would not be drawn into an argument this morning. “Not if you invite me along.” LD flashed what he knew was his most boyish grin.
“Give it up LD, you’re not invited.”
The front door chimes sounded and Marie turned, out of habit he was sure, to see who was entering or exiting. The cup in her hand started to shake violently. Following her gaze with his eyes, he caught a glimpse of a tall dark-haired man entering a cab.
Coffee, beignets and truce were forgotten as LD exited the store at a run.
* * * * *
“Tammie tells me you’re seeing the LD Carmouche.”
Marie looked up from her lunch plate at the restaurant and into her brother’s startling blue eyes, which gleamed at her from beneath a bandage. The girls in her family inherited their father’s brown eyes. Her brother, the lucky dog, ended up with their mother’s violet blue eyes. Timothy dove into the food the waitress placed before them. Obviously, his violent experience hadn’t diminished his appetite. “Tammie has a big mouth. You know how she loves to exaggerate. I’m not seeing…”
“Sorry I’m late.” A large warm body nudged her toward the window side of the booth. “LD Carmouche.”
Marie watched, in stunned silence, as the men exchanged handshakes.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Tim Bernard. Marie didn’t tell me you were meeting us for lunch.”
“I didn’t know he was coming.” Marie’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Really?”
Marie could see Tim shift from awe for LD into the I-protect-my-sister mode. At the moment, that was the last thing she needed. LD slipped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to his side without giving her a chance to respond.
“Now honey, you know I said I’d be with you all day and I keep my word. I wanted to finish my phone call with Rob before I joined you. You know how I hate people who talk on cell phones in restaurants.”
“Talking on a cell phone, while eating, is almost as rude as joining a table where one isn’t wanted.” Marie placed a well-aimed elbow to LD’s ribs and took great pleasure in his muffled grunt of
pain.
That pleasure was short-lived as he picked up a French fry, dipped it in ketchup and held it in front of her mouth.
“Open up, Marie.”
Marie clenched her jaws tighter as she stared at the man. She’d actually started to think LD had finally given up. After running from the store that morning in pursuit of Black, she hadn’t heard from him. That made her more nervous than having him next to her. Then, when she’d finally started to relax and think maybe he was tailing Black instead of her, he’d materialized like a phantom out of thin air.
His body relaxed into hers, easily, naturally, like he belonged there. “Come on Marie, open up.”
LD brushed the side of her neck with his free hand, sending a shiver down her spine. When she still refused to take the offering, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, “If you don’t take it, I’m going to kiss you deep and hard. Right here in front of your brother.”
Marie caught the challenge in his eyes before his gaze dropped to her mouth. Slowly, intentionally, she ran her tongue over her lips, all the while keeping her eyes on his mouth. Heat filled her as desire shot through her body. LD was merciless, but he’d just met his match.
Chapter Seven
For the next twenty minutes, LD talked with Tim as he continued to feed Marie. After the first few tentative bites, she’d warmed up to the game.
And she was good, damn good at playing games. Before today, he’d never have thought a pulled pork sandwich and fries could be sexy.
When she’d sucked barbeque sauce off his index finger, he thought he’d explode. The woman had no shame, even with her brother across the table from them. To make matters worse, he’d turned and caught her licking the corner of her mouth with the tip of her tongue. He’d leaned forward with the intent to help until Tim’s sudden coughing fit stopped him.
Now, with lunch and the restaurant behind them, LD stood on the sidewalk outside the café with a very angry Marie and waved as Tim caught a trolley back to work. Tim was a nice, levelheaded, young man and it was apparent Marie had done a good job raising him. What he wasn’t sure of was whether Tim wanted to be his friend or punch his lights out.
Looking up at the crystal clear sky, he wondered if it were possible to kick oneself in the backside, because he was a fool. He should have kissed Marie when he’d had the opportunity earlier. Because her current rigid do-not-touch-me body language made it perfectly clear he wasn’t going to get the chance anytime soon.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Marie hissed as the crowd moved around them.
“What I told you I’d be doing. Keeping an eye on you. Now, can we please have this conversation somewhere else?” He reached out to take her by the arm, but she backed away.
“I’m sorry if being seen with me is an embarrassment to the governor’s son, but I’m not going anywhere with you. I’ve already told you I don’t need you to watch over me.”
Her voice was loud enough to cause several people to turn and look at them. If the fact that people were starting to stare didn’t bother her, then he wouldn’t let it bother him. “You know my father?”
She sighed, “Your mother and I are both board members for the same local charities. She talks about you all the time, so yes, I recognized your name.”
“I didn’t think you knew.”
“What, that you’re the governor’s son?” She shrugged. “I don’t picture you that way, I think of you as LD Carmouche.”
She saw him as an individual, not in terms of family influence. He wasn’t sure he’d ever dated a woman who hadn’t thought about how his family name could better them. The aggravation he’d felt only moments before melted away, but he knew he still needed to push her for information. “Tell me what you’re up to and I’ll leave you alone.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “Nothing, I’m up to nothing. Why won’t you just go away?”
“Because I don’t believe you.”
Before she could answer, he forged ahead. “What were you doing at the Morris’, the Duncan’s and the Whites’ houses today? While we’re on the subject, who was the tall black-haired man at your shop this morning?”
Marie’s bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. “I was following up with some clients about their purchases, if you must know. That’s why I was at their homes. And the man you so rudely chased from the store was an out-of-town client.”
“I’m not buying it, Marie. When you’re ready to tell me the truth, then I’ll stop following you. Until then, get used to a second shadow.”
“You can’t follow me forever.”
“Try me.”
When Marie looked back up at him, he wasn’t prepared for the soul-deep hurt that appeared in her eyes. He knew that if she asked, he’d cut out his heart and hand it to her.
“You don’t understand.”
He was tempted to pull her to him, so instead he tucked his hands into his jeans pockets and rocked back on the heels of his boots. “You could solve that by telling me what’s going on.”
LD watched as Marie closed the distance between them, then held his breath as she placed one hand against his chest and raised up on her toes. The kiss was as light as a spring breeze brushing across his check, but the impact welded his feet to the ground.
“I’m sorry.” Marie boarded the next streetcar and LD watched as it took her away.
He was still staring long after the streetcar disappeared down the track, trying to understand the feelings that overpowered him. Then he realized she had just ditched him. Again.
He rubbed a hand down his face, glad Rob was arriving tomorrow. Because keeping up with Marie was turning into a full-time job.
* * * * *
Marie stopped her sedan only inches short of smashing into LD’s car. He was parked across her driveway, blocking her in. She was edgy enough about having dinner with Howard Perkins, but toss in the LD factor and her nerves were ready to explode. She didn’t have the time or the patience for this, she thought as she opened the car door and stepped out. “Move your car.”
“No.” LD opened the passenger door on his sports car. “I’ll drive you. Now get in.”
It was bad enough the man was sticking to his word about being her shadow. Watching. Waiting. Lurking. It was enough to drive a person crazy.
The glimmer of hope she’d felt after leaving him behind earlier, evaporated like morning dew in August. It was now painfully clear he’d heard more of her conversation with Howard than she’d thought. He knew enough to wear a tux.
A custom-tailored tux at that. The formal wear fit in a way that should have been illegal. That was food for thought, but at the moment there were more important things to do than to drool over LD.
“I’m headed to a meeting. If you don’t move, I’ll be late.”
“I know, you’re headed to rendezvous with Howard Perkins at the Royal Court restaurant.” LD’s strained voice was in contrast to his cool calm appearance.
“Good. Then you’ll understand when I say you’re not invited.”
“Invited or not, I’m escorting you.”
Great, what could she do? Call a cab? He’d only follow. Walk three blocks to the trolley line? Not in these heels. Even if she lost him, he knew where she was headed.
Marie took a deep breath and started for his car. She was smart enough to know when to retreat and accept defeat for a minor battle. After all, the night was still young and they hadn’t reached the café yet.
Marie walked away as LD paid the parking attendant. During the short drive from the Garden District to the French Quarter, he’d quizzed her about her life. At first she’d been closemouthed and tight-lipped, but then he’d asked her how Tim was doing and that got her going. After the silence was broken, she’d talked, really talked and he’d been impressed.
The woman contained an inner strength that awed him. Would he have been capable of raising a brother and sister at such a young age? Maybe, but he wasn’t sure he could have done it to h
er standard.
Not Marie though. In the blink of an eye, she’d gone from young college grad of twenty-two to guardian of a twelve and nine year old. Toss in taking over the family business, plus all the financial responsibilities and you had a mix few would want.
Lengthening his stride, LD tried to catch Marie before the light changed at the corner, but didn’t make it. He watched as she made it to the opposite corner, then she crossed the intersection and continued down the street. He traveled a parallel path across the street from her. The advantage to this position was he had an excellent view of her.
From the moment he’d first seen her back in Boston, he’d been attracted to her. Her beauty was subtle and generally underplayed. Tonight, when she’d stepped from her car, he’d been rendered momentarily speechless. Watching her now, he could only describe her as drop-dead gorgeous.
With each step she took her dress shifted and teased. Every so often the deep green silky material parted giving him a peek at those wonderful legs. The top was low-cut, with small thin straps that looked as if they’d give way with the slightest tug. The shawl she wore draped across one shoulder revealed creamy kissable skin.
Two men passed Marie and LD glared as they turned and stared at her retreating form. He then realized the disadvantages of not being next to her far outweighed the advantages.
Marie raised her arm and waved as she approached the next intersection. He watched as two mounted patrol officers stopped to talk with her.
It was then LD got the feeling things weren’t going to go his way. He cursed under his breath when the two officers broke away from Marie and moved toward him. As the officers approached, LD stopped and waited. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.
The smaller officer crowded his horse next to LD. To avoid being stepped on by the large beast, LD moved back up on the curb.
“Can I help you, officers?” LD noted the other horse and rider had moved onto the sidewalk behind him, blocking his way.
“You can explain why you’re harassing that woman.”
Bayou Treasure Page 7
