Unarmed and bleeding profusely, Peltier wouldn’t be a problem for Amelie.
Still, Maurice moved closer, ready to take him out if he tried anything more than pulling her hair. Already, he was losing his grip and swaying. Blood loss did that to a man.
Footsteps pounded on the stairs coming up from below.
Xavier, Luis, Remy, Gerard, Lucas and Beau burst onto the scene. A few steps behind them, huffing and puffing, came Fredrick Schulz.
“Right.” Maurice crossed his arms over his chest. “Now you show up.”
“Had a little difficulty with the door. It was blocked,” Xavier said.
Luis tipped his head toward the German. “Schulz found us another way in.”
Remy tipped his head toward Amelie and Peltier. “That woman has rage.”
“Tell me about it.” Maurice shook his head. “I should be all right with her. I think she might love me.”
Amelie shot a glance his way, eyes wide.
Maurice smiled. “And it’s a good thing, because I love her right back.”
Her lips spread in a radiant smile, which was a little unnerving considering she still had her knife all up in Peltier’s business.
Remy elbowed Maurice. “Just remember not to piss her off.”
“Roger that,” Maurice said.
Remy strode over to Amelie. “Let me take over from here. The police are on their way.”
“He killed Armand,” she said, her eyes filling.
Maurice moved up behind her. “Yeah. But now you know, and he’ll pay. No use ruining your life by taking his.”
She lowered her arm and let Remy lead the man away.
Maurice turned her toward him and pulled her into his arms.
She pressed her forehead against his chest. “I heard what you said.” She leaned her head back and met his gaze with a watery one of her own. “Did you mean it?” A tear slid down her cheek. “You don’t have to, if you don’t want to. You know...love me.”
He touched a finger to her lips. “I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
Another tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m glad,” she said and pressed her forehead against his chest again. “I really didn’t know how to compete with a ghost.”
He tipped her chin up. “You’re not competing with a ghost.”
She nodded. “I know that now. I would never want you to forget her or the love you felt for her. That love is a part of you. It made you who you are today. And I’m falling hopelessly in love with you. So, don’t screw it up,” she said with a saucy tilt of her head. “I’m wicked with a knife.”
“I’ll never sleep again at night,” he said.
“There are many better things to do at night than sleep,” she whispered.
“I can think of quite a few,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
“Jesus, Mo,” Xavier said. “Get a room.”
Epilogue
Xavier wandered along Main Street, admiring the way the town had gone all out, stringing lights and hanging colorful banners everywhere for the Annual Frog Leg Festival.
