The Best Laid Plans (Brothers of the Bayou) (10 page)

“What does Sara know of all this?”

“Nothing and that’s how Justin wants to keep it.”

“Then I will do my part to make sure she doesn’t find out.  I don’t care for the idea of hiding anything from her, but with her pregnancy, that changes things.” She spoke in a neutral tone and Beaux wished to God she would say something indicating if they were ok
ay.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you from the beginning. I only wanted what I thought was best.” He sounded desperate and didn’t even care. He was desperate and needed to know that Lacy could forgive him.

Lacy inhaled and didn’t speak again for a long while. Beaux’s agony grew waiting for her to speak.  Finally, she let him into her head.  “This is a lot to digest Beaux. I’m not even sure where to begin.  I wish I could say I was mad at you for not telling me, but then I’d have to be mad at myself for not telling Sara.  All I can say for now is that if even a small fraction of this is true, then the truth would come out eventually regardless of what you did.  And when it comes out, I’ll need someone beside me to help carry me through it. When that time comes, I’m glad it will be you beside me.

She took his hand and held it tightly when Beaux heaved a very audible sigh of relief. 

Something cataclysmic had shifted in their lives ripping them out of their Eden, but together they would face it.

They crossed into South Carolina relieved to be on the final leg of their trip. Small talked filled the space along the miles, distracting them just enough so they could focus on getting Lacy back to her apartment. The sun was beginning to set as they reached Charleston.  
He could see the charm of the city, but he still preferred his bayous back home in Louisiana.  Exhausted and weary, they pulled into the parking lot of Lacy’s apartment complex, ready to climb into bed.  Beaux gathered their bags and they walked up the two flights of stair to Lacy’s apartment.   Lacy fumbled with her keys putting them in the lock to open the door.  When the door opened without the key turning, Beaux straightened out his arm to block Lacy from entering. With one hand on the Kimber and the other reached behind him, secure on Lacy’s shoulder, he entered the building first and Lacy followed directly behind him.

Lacy gasped at the scene before her.  Not a single thing was out of place and nothing was noticeably missing, but on her carpet in crimson red letters someone had wrote out “You have been warned.” She began violently shaking and Beaux quickly ushered her out of the room back into the hallway.  He called the authorities and took Lacy back to the truck to wait. Three minutes later the first police officer appeared, quickly followed by others.  Evidence was taken and the scene processed. Lacy and Beaux were asked to the station for questioning and they easily complied.  Beaux listened as Lacy told everything she knew and Beaux filled in information from their time in Louisiana and the ride home. Other agencies were called in, asking Beaux and Lacy for further statements.  Lacy was still visibly shaken and Beaux held her tightly
, offering any strength he could.  At one point, Lacy was asked to be questioned alone and she resisted, not wanting to lose Beaux by her side.   He promised to wait right outside until she finally agreed and he reluctantly left her alone. 

Swallowing his pride, he called Jared and left him a message when he didn’t answer. He had other calls to make but they could wait until later.  A shiver coursed through him and he looked up and saw the two passengers from the car that had followed them.  An officer escorted them and they were walking in his direction.

They stood outside the door next to him only mere inches separating them, but no words were spoken.  Again, Beaux wished he had a cigarette or at least some chew.  Are they almost done with Lacy, he wondered for the fifth time.  He was growing increasingly concerned about leaving her alone and his agitation grew the longer they waited. After what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened.  Beaux wasted no time reaching Lacy, who was now several shades paler.  At his touch, she softened almost imperceptibly and then they were instructed to sit down.

A tall man with a bald head and thick neck began speaking. “Ms. Landon, we believe you are in grave danger.  While we are not at liberty to discuss anything further than what we have, we are offering you protection for the immediate future.  Levi and Monica have been assigned to continue your protection.”

“Just how long have they been following us already?” Lacy asked numbly.

“Three weeks.”

Lacy gasped at the revelation.  Even before she had left South Carolina she was being followed.  Would her life ever be her own? If not for Beaux’s presence she felt like she could faint.  Thank God he had driven her home.  She couldn’t imagine dealing with this on her own.

A realization hit her. “How closely have I been followed?”

“Very closely.”

Her face burned remembering the intimate displays of affection between Beaux and her when they thought they had been alone.  Beaux must have been thinking the same thing and gave her hand another squeeze.   The man, Levi’s expression revealed nothing. The
woman, Monica on the other hand, held a trace of embarrassment as they all had the same train of thought.

The tall, bald man they now knew as Detective Martin began speaking again, handing Beaux a packet. “We have arranged for you to stay at a hotel until this situation is resolved. You will find the hotel reservation and credit card to be used enclosed.  You can return to your apartment tonight long enough to gather necessary items. Levi and Monica will be nearby at all times. They are two of our best and will allow you as much freedom as they can while still being within reach to protect you. If anything else happens or you receive any new information, you call me immediately. My office, cell and answering service numbers are all in the packet of information I gave you. Now, any questions?”

There were plenty of questions, but none that she could have answers for so she nodded meekly.

“Would you like an escort back or drive your personal vehicle?”

“We will drive my truck,” Beaux answered for them.

“Well then that is all.  You are free to go and we will keep you updated as we can.”

Beaux led Lacy out with his hand resting on the small of her back. It was pitch black outside now and well after midnight.  Lacy was still pale and dark circles were forming under her eyes. He would do anything to ease her pain right now, but didn’t know what else he could do besides being here with her.  When they got to her apartment, she paused outside willing herself to go in. Beaux offered to gather her things for her, but she declined, so they walked in together.  She closed her eyes as they crossed through the living room and Beaux led her to the bedroom, so she wouldn’t have to open her eyes and see the words.  He made a mental note to makes calls tomorrow for someone to come in and clean it.  In the fifteen minute drive across town to the hotel Lacy had fallen asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he pulled the truck to the entrance, parking where he could see her at all times from the desk, having a small measure of peace for now, knowing for sure whom Levi and Monica were. He checked in then moved the truck around back, closer to their room.  Lacy hadn’t stirred so he laced their bags through his arms and gingerly lifted her into his arms and carried her to their room. With careful maneuvering, he dug the key out of his pocket, opened the door and carried her over the threshold.  After gently laying her on the bed, he opened her bag to find a pair of pajamas. With as little movement as possible, he tenderly undressed her from her clothes and put her pajamas on.  She woke up just long enough to whisper “I love you Beaux,” then drifted back to slumber. “I love you to ma chère,” he whispered back as she slept. He tucked a sheet around her before getting ready for bed himself and lying down beside her.

When Lacy woke up the next morning, everything from the day before came rushing back.  Here she was back in South Carolina but in a strange hotel and the only thing familiar was Beaux’s breathing beside her.  Had it really only been a week since she had first met
him? Already she couldn’t remember her life without him and sent a prayer heavenward in gratefulness that he was here with her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was forgetting about something but couldn’t remember. Slipping out of bed, she saw her pajamas and had a vague memory of Beaux changing her. She really must have been tired.  Since Beaux was still sleeping, she pulled out her laptop to check her email that had been sorely neglected the past week.  Locating the hotel’s wireless network, she connected to her email.

“Shit, shit shit, what time is it” she said frantically out loud to no one in particular as she remembered what she forgot. She searched for
the time. Her class started in just under an hour. Running to the bed, she shook Beaux to wake him up.

“Wake up Beaux. My class starts today. We have less than an hour to get there!”

“Mmhmm.”

“Come on Beaux, we have to get going,” she said as she shook him again.

Suddenly alert to being shaken, he shot up in bed. “What’s going on Lacy, are you okay?” he asked not registering the words she had spoken.

“My class starts today Beaux. You
know, the entire reason I had to return to South Carolina?”

He jumped out of bed and they made short work of dressing and brushing their teeth. Running out the door, they picked up coffee and a pastry to eat on the way.

“What will you do while I’m in class?” she asked.

“I’ll be sitting right outside.”

“You don’t have to do that Beaux. The detective told us Levi and Monica will be nearby. I’ll be fine.”

“All the same, I’d rather remain close by.” The discussion was closed. Lacy had no desire to debate it, because honestly she wanted him nearby. They reached their destination and still had ten minutes to spare.  Lacy smiled with pride as she heard various comments from other girls in the class wondering who that sexy guy was outside. He’s all mine, she wanted to shout but there was no need since a few minutes later Beaux came in to drop off a book she left in the truck. When he left she couldn’t help laughing when the girl
next to her commented, “Damn girl, what I wouldn’t give to be in your shoes.”

The professor was running late and now Lacy was feeling out of place. She was older than most of the class and at a different stage in life. While they sat talking of their summer trips to the beach getting trashed, she thought of Beaux and the situation her father had trapped her in. When the professor finally arrived, she gladly took out her notebooks and concentrated on what he had to say.

While Lacy was in class, Beaux made some phone calls. First he called his mom, to tell her they arrived in South Carolina.

“How was your trip cher
?”

“Interesting,” he answered. He couldn’t lie to his mother but for sure she didn’t need to know the full extent right now.

“Tell Lacy I said hi. Did she make it to her class?”

“I will mom. She’s in her class right now.”

“Oh here comes Jared down the driveway. Let me call you back later.”

“Wait mom, don’t hang up. I need you to put Jared on the phone.”

“Hold on a minute. Let me run outside and get him in here.”

Beaux heard static and noises as his mom set the phone down.  Minutes passed before Jared finally picked up the line.

“Why didn’t you call me back last night?” Beaux demanded.

“I’m not the brother you know, remember?”

“Cut the shit Jared. You know I was just pissed.”

“Is that supposed to be an apology?” Jared sneered.

“What are you two boys arguing about now,” he heard his mom ask to which Jared replied, “Everything is fine mom, Beaux’s just being Beaux.”

Beaux growled. “Just forget it. I’ll figure it out on my own without your help.”

“Hold on Beaux. What’s up?  I was just giving you a hard time. I never got your message or I would have called.”

Beaux gave him the rundown of last night’s event.

“I’m sorry Beaux. I really do hate that this is all happening. Levi and Monica are great though. They are two of the best security folk we have out there and Monica has some pretty hot curves doesn’t she?  They won’t let anything happen to Lacy. Just be careful and do what you are asked.”

Leave it to Jared to make sexual innuendos at a time like this.  Would he ever grow up?

“Is there anything else you can tell me that I should know?”

Jared hesitated, debating if he should tell.

“We have Justin and Sara under security detail also.”

“Shit, Jared. How long is this crap going to continue?”

“Not too much longer little bro, if we have our way.” When Beaux didn’t respond Jared pick up the conversation again. “It’s asking a lot, but just have faith in the system.”

That didn’t make Beaux feel any better but he didn’t want to push Jared any further. He had to believe that if there was imminent danger, he would let them know. He hung up and made the next call.  Not sure if Justin would be at work, he hoped he would still answer. Luckily he picked up the call right away.

“I was expecting you to call.  Did you make it in okay?”

“Yes and no.” He went on to relay the story of last night.

“That explains a lot. We had some suits show up last night.  I took them outside so Sara couldn’t hear, but they have security surrounding us now too.  I made them come up with an elaborate ruse to keep Sara in the dark as much as possible. I’m really worried about her and the baby if she finds out everything. This is really bad Beaux. I don’t think we ever dreamed of how bad.”