Page 67 of Xavier

“Weren’t you going to tell me what’s been happening with you?” she asked in an accusing tone. “Rafael has been in daily contact with Remy. We know you’ve been attacked. Twice. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Lissette shrugged even though Gisele couldn’t see her. “I’m okay. It didn’t impact you, so I didn’t see a need to pass on the information.”

“You know, we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but you’re my cousin. Family. I’m allowed to worry.”

“For a long time, I wasn’t nice to you,” Lissette said in a soft voice. “I didn’t think you’d care.”

“Sweetie, you’ve changed,” Gisele said. “It’s like you finally came into the real you. You’re not pushing everyone away, like you used to. I feel like I’m finally getting to know you.” Gisele gave a soft laugh. “And I like you.”

Lissette swallowed hard on the lump lodged in her throat. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“We need to share a bottle of wine and talk when I get back,” Gisele said. “Be sure to evacuate before the storm hits so we have that chance.”

Lissette ended the call and stood for a moment, silent tears trickling down her cheeks.

Xavier came in through the back door of the Remedies and Roux, brushing dust from his jeans. When his eyes met hers, he frowned and hurried toward her. “What’s wrong? Is it Johnny?”

She shook her head and gave him a watery smile. “No.”

He pulled her into his arms. “Whatever’s wrong, we’ll work through it.”

“I’m okay. I just got off the phone with Gisele.”

“Is she okay?” He leaned back to stare into her eyes, his forehead creased. “Did Rafael get bit by a shark?”

Lissette laughed. “They’re fine. They’re worried about Johnny and sad about the store, but fine. They want to come back early.”

Xavier shook his head. “They probably wouldn’t make it in time, and then they’d get stuck somewhere in an airport until the storm passes.”

“That’s what I told them. They should stay and come back when they were scheduled to.”

He tipped her face up. “Then why the tears?”

She shook her head. “I must be tired. I still need to go out to my grandmother’s and see if she needs anything and if she’s getting packed for the evacuation.”

“I think we’ve done as much as we can here.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let’s close up and head out before it gets dark.”

Lissette did her best to lock the shops, though the doors had been compromised and the deadbolts were busted. If anyone really wanted in, it wouldn’t be hard.

She was past caring. Anyone who needed a souvenir, spices for their Cajun cooking or a poultice for poison ivy could walk right in and take what they needed. Lissette was too tired to give a damn. She walked to Xavier’s truck, pulled open the door and hauled herself up into the passenger seat.

Xavier stood beside the door, waiting for Lissette to settle in her seat. When his cell phone chirped, he glanced at the screen and frowned. “It’s Mitch.”

Lissette paused, halfway into the passenger seat of his truck. She sank down, buckled her own belt and watched Xavier’s face as he read the text message.

“Mitch just came in off the bayou. He saw Nub LeJeune outside his house on the north shore of Bayou Mambaloa. He dropped a link. We can get there by truck or boat.”

“Which would be faster?” Lissette asked.

“Boat,” Xavier said, rounding the truck to climb into the driver’s seat. He headed for the marina where they’d left Grand-mère’s skiff.

When he parked, he reached into the console, pulled out a handgun, checked the magazine and tucked it into his waistband.

“I hope we don’t need that,” Lissette said. “I’ve never known Nub to carry.”

“Maybe he doesn’t, but those he does business with do.”

Lissette squashed a ripple of trepidation and nodded. “You’re right. He might not be alone.”