Leopard's Prey

sheriff’s boat. The moment he was in range to use his cell phone, Remy called Drake and told him everything that had transpired.
    “Drake’s already on his way back. Robert and Dion are at the Inn with Saria and Bijou,” Remy told Gage. “I don’ like that one little bit. I can’t get back there to protect Bijou, and neither can you.”
    Gage grinned at him. “I get your meanin’. The Lanoux boys are about to meet up with Lojos, Dash and Mahieu. They’ll be enjoyin’ their time with our brothers while we take care of business.”
    “You know Saria won’ like it,” Remy said.
    “Which is why you’re makin’ me make the call,” Gage guessed. “But that’s all right. I figure a man should be in trouble with only one woman at a time. From the way you’re tiptoein’ around I’d say your lady was truly aggravated with you. And probably for good reason.”
    “Why would you say that?” Remy demanded.
    “Because you’re smooth with all the ladies you don’ care about and a bit of a jackass with the ones you do care about.”
    Remy glared at him, although he had a suspicion Gage’s observation might have some truth to it. “I’m smooth.”
    Gage snorted. “You’re an idiot, and I say that with love in my heart.” Dramatically he placed his hand over his heart, his eyes laughing at his brother.
    “I’ve got a gun,” Remy reminded. “You’re pushin’ the borders of my leopard’s ability to rein in his temper.”
    “You blame that poor leopard for everythin’. You’re the one with the foul temper. Is that what happened? Did you manage to lose your temper and yell at that poor woman?”
    “No, I didn’t yell at her. Although I thought about it. She could make Mother Teresa angry.”
    Gage snorted again. “You’re so clueless, bro. Seriously. You’ve got the catch of the century and leave it up to you to blow it.”
    “You’re the one who said she’d leave.” Just the thought of Bijou leaving him, let alone saying the words aloud, sent a stabbing pain through the region of his heart. He knew his brother was teasing him, probably crowing because Remy had always attracted women easily and Bijou wasn’t quite the easy conquest he’d expected. More, he hadn’t expected to be consumed by her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was there with every breath he drew and the moment he scented lavender, his body reacted with urgent, hot demand.
    “Her leopard won’ let her run too far and you know it. She might try, and if she’s smart, she’ll definitely give you a run for your money . . .”
    “That’s it. You’re about to go the hospital and have a bullet dug out of your ass.”
    Gage burst out laughing. “You’re plannin’ on shooting me in the butt?”
    “Well, it’s the only safe place, and it might be a bit embarrassin’ if you get a cute nurse, which, for the record, would be an added bonus.”
    “I did say you were about the meanest man alive,” Gage pointed out.
    Remy tried a blacker scowl to intimidate his younger brother. Ever since Bijou had come back home, Gage had been having way too much fun tweaking him.
    “Just get the boys to the Inn fast,” Remy said. Otherwise, there would be no keeping his mind on interrogating the Rousseau brothers or Bijou’s manager and his assistant. He had to put her out of his mind and tell himself she was perfectly safe with Saria and his brothers.
    She seemed so fragile to him. Saria was small, but she could take care of herself in any situation. Bijou needed . . . care. He just had to convince her that she did.
    He drove back to the station house, refusing to give in to the temptation to call Bijou just to hear her voice and know she was all right. And he absolutely refused to believe he
needed
to hear her voice. It was just that with Robert going to the Inn, she might be scared and needing to hear
his
voice. He should probably call her to reassure her that his brothers were on the way. She’d feel much safer and calmer knowing he was thinking of her and making certain his brothers would protect her while he had to be away from her.
    Satisfied that it was Bijou who needed to hear from him, and not the other way around, Remy parked in front of the station and whipped out his cell phone. She was under
Blue
and he found himself smiling for no reason at all. His thumb traced over her name before he could stop the automatic reaction. He looked around to make certain no one had seen that involuntary, silly reaction,