For the briefest of moments, he looked older, sadder. Then he ran a hand over his three-day shadow, blew out a long, slow breath, and opened the door.
“I’ll be going, then,” he said, so quietly, I ached.
“No!” I blurted, then caught myself. “I mean, wait.”
He looked at me, confused.
“I mean, that came out too harsh,” I finally managed.
Roux had spent years in the military, including several tours in war zones, and he was damn proud of it. But he’d been forcedto accept an honorable discharge after questioning one too many orders. Another example of principles getting the best of him.
So, shoot. My comment had definitely touched a raw nerve. I didn’t like the guy, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be civil.
“Sorry. What is that called…? Displaced anger? From thinking about Claudette, I mean. I didn’t intend to take that out on you.”
I had many character flaws, but I could be humble when I had to.
He nodded, then pushed the door open and slid out, murmuring, “All good, Geneviève.”
But it wasn’t, I sensed, feeling awfully small.
“Au revoir,” he murmured, closing, not slamming, the door.
I waggled my fingers less obnoxiously than usual, then started the engine and drove off. Seconds later, I reached the end of the block, where Clem stood, back turned to me, watching Claudette walk away.
He barely glanced up when I passed. But when Roux — already in his vehicle and following me — passed, Clem’s head whipped around.
I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard two mutually resentful growls. Clem’s wolf-shifter side growling at Roux, and Roux’s tiger snarling back.
Boys, boys,I wanted to say.Let’s keep the peace in Auberre, all right?
Then I remembered this was no joke. Auberre might be a sleepy little town, but evil forces lurked, even here.
I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel. Was Clement’s job transfer merely a coincidence or the harbinger of trouble? Was my generous godfather theworstkind of godfather, as my sister warned? And what about Claudette? Was I doing the right thing by offering her a chance, or was I stirring fuel into a simmering cauldron?
Then there was Roux. What would it take to get him off my case?
I sighed, did my best to clear my head, and drove on.
Chapter Three
GENEVIÈVE
Roux was right. My sister was furious, and hiring Claudette was a bad idea. But even Mina had reluctantly agreed that we had to give her a chance.
“This is the thing, Claudette,” Mina said in her fair but firm way. “We’re happy to have you back, but we need you to be punctual. Reliable. And to…um…well…” Mina stirred the air with her hands, looking to me for help.
Keep your hands off the men?was the best I could come up with.
Mina grimaced. “You need to be discreet. Professional.”
Claudette’s eyebrows knitted together.
“Mindful of boundaries,” Mina tried next.
“No flirting,” I finally blurted.
Claudette’s mouth formed anOh. Then she grinned. “I’ll be a nun.”
