Leopard's Prey

comin’ out of the woodwork and claimin’ they were related. Money makes people do crazy things.”
    “It comes with the territory, Saria,” Bijou said. “I learned that in school. Real friendship is a treasure and that’s why I always appreciated you. I knew if I came home, nothin’ would have changed between us.”
    Remy was prouder in that moment of Saria than he’d ever been, and she was pretty extraordinary in his book. The fact that someone as wary as Bijou would have complete confidence in his sister when they hadn’t seen one another in several years, made him respect Saria all the more.
    Saria laughed, dispelling some of the tension. “I’m definitely that wild girl runnin’ the swamps. I love it here. I don’ need a lot of money to be happy here, Bijou.”
    Bijou’s smile was faint. “I bought my little club with the hopes that I can draw a crowd. I’m renovatin’ the little apartment above it.”
    “You’re planning on livin’ above the club?” Remy nearly came out of his chair, but managed to force himself to stay outwardly calm. Was she insane? Bijou had more money than most in the world, in her own right she was huge in the entertainment business, she’d admitted to death threats and she was going to reside with no security right above the club where she sang.
    “I thought it was a good idea,” Saria said, a little frown forming. She knew her brother’s tone. His voice went low and soft and drawled more than ever. “What’s wrong?” She looked from Bijou to Remy for an explanation.
    “It’s nothin’, Remy,” Bijou said. “I told you.”
    “Just a little matter of death threats,” Remy explained to Saria. “You know, nothin’ serious at all.”
    “I don’ appreciate the sarcasm,” Bijou said, her eyes widening. “I don’ recall you bein’ so sarcastic.”
    “That’s because you hero-worshipped him when he didn’ deserve it,” Saria pointed out, laughing all over again. “He has a bossy attitude and never lets you forget he’s the one runnin’ the show.”
    Color crept up Bijou’s neck into her face. “I did
not
hero-worship him,” she denied. “He was bossy back then too.”
    “There’s a difference between bein’ bossy, which I wasn’t, and bein’ the boss, which I am,” Remy said, in his mild voice. “In any case, worshippin’ me is a good idea. I’m all for it.”
    Saria rolled her eyes and laughed, the sound joyful. Remy hadn’t seen Saria for a couple of weeks and he forgot how he felt in her company. She seemed relaxed and happy, her home always open and her smile ready. When had his sister become so different than the wild child he remembered? Sure, she still went her own way, but she was confident, not defiant. He liked being in her company. Her happiness radiated from her, surrounding everyone close to her. Her joy lifted those around her. She was definitely a woman, all grown up, married to a man closer to his age than hers. And she was happy.
    “You know you’ll have to stay with me.” Saria turned to Bijou, all serious, her mercurial nature showing. “At least until Remy checks everythin’ out and we know you’re safe. It will be fun,” she added. “I’ve missed you.”
    “That’s a good idea,” Remy said. “Make certain I get all of the threats, Blue, anything you have, paper, recordin’s—all of it.”
    Bijou shook her head. “I feel like I’m being railroaded. I don’ recall anyone ever bein’ able to do that to me, not since I turned thirteen.”
    “Someone needs to look after you,” Remy said. “Especially if you’re goin’ to run wild with my sister.”
    Saria kicked him under the table. “I don’ run wild anymore, Remy. I’m a workin’ girl these days. I spend so much time takin’ pictures I barely have time to run this place properly or do guidin’.”
    “Guidin’?” Bijou echoed. “You take tourists out in the swamp and bayous?”
    “That’s how I met Drake,” Saria said. “I was his guide. Maybe you should take over my business. You could meet . . .”
    Remy slammed his coffee mug onto the table. “Okay, that’s it. I’m drownin’ you in the bayou, Saria. I should have done it when you were born. I knew you were goin’ to be giving me trouble. Blue is
not
takin’ strangers into the swamp. I’d be shootin’ someone before nightfall.”
    Saria leaned across the table and mouthed
Bossy
at Bijou.
    “Clearly you don’ have enough to do, Remy,” Bijou observed. “Or you’ve