Page 18 of Xavier

Jacques’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that the woman who tried to...”

“Yeah,” Remy said, his expression tight and grim. “Xander. My office. Now.”

Shit.

A knot twisted in the pit of Xavier’s belly. “Yes, sir.” He couldn’t blame Remy’s reaction or anger, nor did he argue about walking past his teammates as he followed his soon-to-be ex-boss into the office.

Once Xavier closed the door behind him, he turned to face Remy. “I know what you’re going to say...”

“Then give me the opportunity to say it,” Remy said, steel in his voice. “Lissette Gautier is an ex-con. She served time in prison for attempted murder and got off lightly on a plea bargain.” He walked behind his desk, planted his fists on the wooden surface and leaned toward Xavier. “That woman rammed Shelby’s boat and left her to die in the bayou. That was her first attempt to kill my wife. She tried again and almost succeeded in killing Shelby and me. So, she did time. It was only a year. Someone like Lissette doesn’t change her colors in a year or ever.”

Xavier held his tongue. Nothing he could say would convince Remy that Lissette had changed. Hell, Xavier hadn’t known her well enough before she’d spent time in jail and certainly didn’t know her now. He kept his mouth shut and let Remy finish.

“Look, Xander, you’re gone in a week. Do not waste your time on Lissette Gautier.” His gaze drilled into Xavier’s. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Xavier resisted the temptation to pop a salute.

“Dismissed,” Remy said and frowned when he realized he’d given Xavier a military release. “I mean, you can go.”

Xavier performed an excellent about-face and marched out of the office, closing the door with a loud click.

For the first time since he’d known Remy, he chafed at the command his boss had given.

Stay away from Lissette?

He knew he should.

The woman had told him herself that she was trouble.

Then why did he find himself driving toward Main Street and the little shop called Remedies and Roux, in blatant defiance of the boss’s order?

Twice, he’d rescued her in the last few days. That didn’t mean he was obliged to keep doing so.

He told himself he only wanted to make sure she was at work that morning, as proof that she’d made it home the night before and back.

He parked in front of the little store next to the Mamba Wambo gift shop, which Gisele, Rafael’s wife, owned and operated. As he stepped down from his truck, a woman emerged from the Remedies and Roux shop, a scowl denting her forehead. “No, I’ll come back when Madame Gautier is here. I want nothing to do with an ex-con. You tell your grandmother I’ll only do business with her, not with you.”

Lissette’s voice came from inside the shop. “She might not come into the shop for days. I can help you now.”

“And have you poison me and my family?” The woman snorted. “No, thank you. I’ll take my business to New Orleans. I’d rather make the drive and do business with a stranger than a con—and a murderous one at that.” The woman lifted her chin. “In my opinion, they never should’ve let the likes of you out of prison. People are afraid to let their children out of their houses with you living among them.” She huffed and strode to her car.

Lissette emerged from the shadows to stand in the doorway, her gaze following the woman as she backed out of her parking space and sped away.

Her eyes flashed with anger that faded quickly, her lips twisting into a frown. When she turned, she spotted him standing in the gap between his truck and its open door. A red flush filled her cheeks, and her brow dipped. “Did you come for the show, or are you heading into Mamba Wamba?”

“Neither,” he said. “I came to see you, even though my boss told me I couldn’t.”

Lissette nodded, her lips thinning into a straight line. “I can see Remy laying down the law. He wouldn’t want one of his brave protectors to be turned by the woman who tried to kill his precious wife.” She shrugged. “I can’t blame him. What did he say?”

“He reminded me of your attempts on her life and that prison doesn’t change someone like you.”

She looked away. “And he’s right. I’m no different now than when I entered prison over a year ago.” She met his gaze. “Now that you’ve come to prove a point to your boss and to see that I’m not dead after my trip into the bayou, I’m sure you’ll be leaving.” Lissette turned to go back into her shop.

“Why would I leave when I just got here?” he asked, stepping away from his truck to close the door.

“Most people leave when they know I’m running the shop. At least, most women do.” She snorted softly. “Oddly enough, the men aren’t as deterred by a female convict. I think they’re intrigued enough to see for themselves, or they have a sick desire to challenge their fear by being in the presence of someone convicted of attempted murder.” She planted a fist on one hip and cocked an eyebrow. “Which are you? Intrigued or sick desire?”

“Neither,” he said again. “Since I couldn’t see you home last night, I wanted to make sure you got home and back.”