Page 4 of Xavier

Lissette finished the water and laid the mug on the table.

Maybe coming back to Bayou Mambaloa wouldn’t be as awful as she’d anticipated.

No longer thirsty, she gave a brief nod at the bar and grill, a little less lonely and a whole lot more hopeful about coming home.

Chapter 1

Four months later...

* * *

“To new adventures for an old friend.” Remy Montagne lifted his beer mug in Xavier Xander’s direction. “Bayou Brotherhood Protectors won’t be the same without you.”

Xavier gave a tight smile and a nod.

The rest of his team raised their beer mugs and shouted in unison, “To new adventures!”

As for the team not being the same without him, Xavier doubted that. It would keep doing what they’d been doing since they’d all arrived in Bayou Mambaloa—protecting those who needed it and helping solve mysteries and crimes alongside local law enforcement.

Xavier stared around the cluster of tables they’d pulled together at the Crawdad Hole Bar and Grill to congratulate him on his new job in another state. He was moving on to a higher salary and would work with a team he could recruit and grow.

It would be a challenge he was up to, having served as a Navy SEAL for ten years and as a Brotherhood Protector for the past three.

But he’d miss the men who’d become more brothers than colleagues. Men he’d followed from active duty to their civilian work as protectors.

In that time, things had changed so much that Xavier wasn’t sure he fit in with them anymore.

But for himself, Jacques and Anton, the majority of the Bayou Brotherhood Protectors had coupled up. Of the original ten plus the two who’d joined them shortly after, nine were either married or in solid relationships.

Their leader, Remy had married a sheriff’s deputy in front of a Justice of the Peace, as had Gerard, both anxious to make it official as they’d jumped the marriage gun when they’d found out they had babies on the way. Rafael had married his gift shop owner, Gisele, in front of her mouthy Macaw.

Lucas and Felina, the flower shop owner, had gone to Vegas for an Elvis wedding shortly after they’d announced their engagement.

Beau and Aurelie had a baby on the way and were pushing hard for a wedding date as soon as they secured a place to have it. Simon and Holly were engaged and looking for a venue, too. Maurice and Amelie had just gotten engaged but hadn’t set a date yet.

“You sure you don’t want to stick around?” Remy asked. “You’re practically the last man standing.”

“I’m not the last man standing,” Xavier reminded him. He tipped his head toward the other two men who had yet to find a mate. “Jacques or Anton can carry that guidon when I’m gone.”

“You don’t know what you’ll be missing,” Gerard added. “Stay here in Bayou Mambaloa long enough, and you’ll be married with kids before you know it.” He hiked his baby daughter, Gabby, up in his arms and smiled into her face. “Who’s your favorite? Mommy or Daddy?”

Gabby batted at his face and said the only word she’d learned thus far, “Mama.”

Remy, Shelby and Bernie laughed.

“Trust the girl to say what she means,” Remy said and then turned his attention back to Xavier. “See? Stay and find that special someone you didn’t know you needed to tell you how to pick up your clothes and when to mow the lawn.”

“Hey,” Shelby said. “I mowed last week.”

Remy slipped an arm around Shelby’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Yes, you did. You’re an amazing wife, mother and partner. I couldn’t have asked for anyone smarter, tougher or more beautiful.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Keep going, and you might find your way out of that hole you just dug.”

Remy kissed Shelby. “You know I love you and Jean-Luc more than anything.”

Shelby leaned into him. “Yeah, I know. But it doesn’t hurt to hear it again.”

His teammates had found love and family. They had roots, something Xavier hadn’t found, nor had he been looking for them. As much as he cared for his brothers in arms, he didn’t feel like he belonged anymore. They were becoming family men.