Bayou Sunset (Agents of HIS #4)

Chapter Twenty-Five

DISCONNECTING HIS CALL to Brad, Romeo had never seen a pair of shorts and a tank top look so good on a woman as they did on Daisy Mae. He loved her with her hair in her iconic ball cap. Yet, as he saw her now, with her hair down, wet and unadorned, an overpowering urge swept over him to take her by the hand and whisk her away to the bedroom…or floor…or wall…. He wasn’t picky with her.

Daisy Mae’s eyes flashed angrily as she placed her hands on her hips. “Did I just hear ya say more people be coming?” she demanded, her tone laced with frustration.

Pulled back from a haze of desire, Romeo gave a confirming nod. After mentally regathering himself, he spoke, “ Oui . Two of me teammates will arrive soon.”

Daisy Mae stamped her foot. “ Non! Non! Non! This be too much.”

“Rocket, ya need the protection, and I be having to sleep sometime.” He took a step forward and smiled. “Unless ya decided I be staying after all.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Ya know ya get to stay.”

When Daisy Mae admitted her agreement, it felt like a significant win for him. He knew he would stay, but her explicit confirmation made everything smoother.

“After all that be happening, ya must agree someone be out to hurt ya. Ya need protection until we resolve dis thing.”

Daisy Mae’s demeanor deflated before his very eyes. She slowly reached back and lowered herself onto a barstool as if she could no longer bear to stand. Softly and barely audible, she said, “I no want to be in danger.”

He moved forward to hold her and then smelled himself. He smelled like smoke, and she’d just showered. So, he kept his distance, not wanting to taint the pleasant smell of whatever she’d lathered on her silky skin. “No one be wanting dat. But, we be here to help. It be what I do for a living. Let us help.”

If she were to refuse, he couldn’t anticipate his next move. He would, without a doubt, stay put. The boys would continue their investigation, but the women wouldn’t be effective as bodyguards if Daisy Mae didn’t permit them to be near her.

She finally looked up at him. “Who be coming and what they be doing?”

He wanted to fist-pump his celebration. “Two gals to be around ya all the time. One works while the other sleeps. Ya will like dem.”

“Even when I go to da bathroom?”

He shook his head. “They no watch, but they check it out for safety.”

“Dat be excessive, Steve.”

“ Non . It be called ‘Protection 101.’” Which also stated not to get involved with your client, but he could care less about that part of the rule. Surrounded by the company of Kate and Rylee, he would feel free from the pressures of constant threats, allowing him to refocus his attention on Daisy Mae. He hoped that in doing so, he could ultimately convince her to abandon her current situation and accompany him back to Baltimore. He would work to purchase a new boat for her, allowing her to offer charters along the Thames. He was sure she’d love it.

Daisy Mae remained quiet for a long moment, making him wonder if she would decide against the extra protection.

So she couldn’t say no right away, he said, “Listen, the kitchen be clean, and I need a shower. How ’bout we finish dis conversation after dat?”

She nodded silently as he walked past her, trying to maintain a safe distance. However, a moment later, he hesitated, took a step back, and tenderly kissed her on the cheek. “It all be okay, Rocket.”

Romeo walked outside to retrieve his bag from the truck. His phone rang as he pressed the key fob to unlock it. Devon . He was confident that the man would reach out to him at some point, especially since Romeo had recently requested his wife for a mission.

Balancing the phone between his shoulder and cheek, he deftly reached for the truck door and swung it open. “Dev, what be up?”

“Is she walking into serious trouble?”

Romeo couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. Devon constantly fretted about Rylee whenever she embarked on an operation, but little did Devon know that Rylee was more formidable than he was. She possessed extensive FBI training and could manage herself in any situation. Additionally, she would be furious if she found out that Devon had been making these calls to team members who had specifically requested her presence for an operation.

“ Non, chèr. Besides, we be here to back her up.”

“This had best be because you’ve fallen in love with the client and need female protection for her 24/7. Otherwise—”

Romeo must’ve made a noise that stopped Devon.

“You have fallen for her. Haven’t you?”

With a heavy sigh, he admitted, “Many years ago.”

“Well, we’ll take care of her. I’m coming also. Anything I need to know ahead of time?”

He considered what they needed to know and referred him to his teammate. “Grits be the man to speak with. He be doing the investigation and needs more help. I be fine.” That wasn’t true, but Grits would fill him in on everything, so why muddy up the waters with more fingers in the pot?

“All right. We can’t get there until tomorrow afternoon, so hang tight.”

“ Merci , chèr. ” After finishing their call, Romeo swiftly retrieved his bag from the truck. Once he securely closed and locked the vehicle, he walked back toward Daisy Mae’s home, eager for a shower. He considered leaving the windows down on the truck to help with the odor, but the forecast called for light showers in the early morning hours. They’d deal with it tomorrow.

He came to a halt as he entered the room. Daisy Mae was meticulously tidying up the living room, focused on the discarded items she had placed in the trash bag. She didn’t glance up when he walked in. He noticed tears trickling down her cheeks. She kept her head down, unwilling to let him see her cry. He understood her need for privacy and quietly went to the guest bathroom.

As he entered the bathroom, he unceremoniously dropped his bag onto the floor and wearily leaned on the sink. Envisioning her tear-streaked face, he longed to envelop her in a reassuring embrace, to offer solace and assure her that everything would eventually fall into place. However, he couldn’t promise that until they found out who was behind the explosion that destroyed her boat. No matter what he told her, things were serious. Whoever was responsible wasn’t playing. They meant business.

He wished he’d had the full force of HIS behind them right now, but the teams were disbursed elsewhere. Plus, there was no real need except for his peace of mind. The six of them—Grits, Casper, Rylee, Kate, Devon, and him—should be enough to protect one woman.

Then, he considered her brothers. They’d also had their home ransacked. But they hadn’t been shot at or had their boat blown to bits. Would they want protection? Doubtful, but he’d have to check. They were her brothers, and he knew Daisy Mae loved them no matter how much they fought.

Sighing, he turned on the shower and began to undress. Those clothes were destined for the trash as he doubted the smell of smoke would ever leave the fabric.

As he stood in the warm spray of the shower, he watched intently as the inky black water swirled down the drain, mesmerized by the gradual transition to clarity. He could feel the soothing lather of the soap as it worked its way across his skin, carrying away the day’s residue and leaving him refreshed and clean. He longed to summon the courage to invite her to relocate to Baltimore with him, but he couldn’t shake off the uncertainty of how she would react. Although they hadn’t been officially together for an extended period, it was increasingly clear that they had both harbored feelings for each other for quite some time. Would it be enough? It would be for him, but he would ask her to leave everything behind. Was that fair?

It may be time for him to leave HIS and settle in his hometown.