Page 50 of Rowe

“Let’s not go that far,” she smiled, kissing Jethro’s cheek. She turned back to Rowe and touched his face. “I’ll be okay. I have to end this now or I’ll never have a life outside the property.”

“Convoy is passing Ms. Templet’s place. ETA is six minutes.”

It was the voice of AJ, and they all stood straighter, taller, and moved to their spots. Beaux and Tucker were in the store with Mara and would be with her on the porch. Rossi would once again believe they were just rednecks.

“I love you,” whispered Rowe in her ear. “Don’t do anything crazy.”

“You too,” she smirked. “I have plans for you when this is done.” Rowe laughed, nodding as he moved with the others. She sat back down on the stool and held the ice-cold soda in her hands. They were shaking so badly she couldn’t even bring it to her lips.

Big, warm hands covered hers. She looked at Tucker and smiled.

“It’ll be okay, gal. We gotchu,” he said in his thick accent.

“While we’re waiting, tell me why all of you Robicheauxs look exactly alike,” she said softly. “And Beaux Robicheaux? A rhyming name had to be tough.”

“My full name is Beauxregard. No rhyme. Uncle Matthew would say it’s so heaven will know who to let in and who to keep out,” smirked Beaux. “Although he never mentioned whether we were the ones they were keepin’ out.”

“I doubt that’s the case,” she grinned. “It’s not a bad thing. You’re all very handsome. I should call my girlfriends…”

“Gotta go,” interrupted Tucker. “Time to face the bad guys.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The convoy blocked the entire River Road, ensuring no one left without their approval. Although, what they didn’t know was they had no control over the road at all. They’d followed the diversion on the road just as planned. Now, they were the ones caught between almost two-hundred men.

When Rossi stepped out of the car, the others walked up behind him. Tucker and Beaux stepped out first, both with handguns on their hips and shotguns in their hands.

“Looks like you boys are expecting trouble,” smirked Rossi.

“No man comes with that many cars and isn’t intent on causing trouble,” said Beaux. “You’d be smart to get back into those cars.”

“I’m smart enough not to,” said Rossi. “You’ve spent days keeping my men on a wild goose chase through this fucking hellhole you call home.”

“Now, that’s just hurtful,” said Tucker. “You don’t talk about a man’s woman, dog, or home. Everything else is fair game.”

“You don’t talk about a man’s gumbo, either. Don’t you remember everything?” frowned Beaux.

“That’s right. Don’t talk about my gumbo,” said Tucker. “Although, you didn’t have my gumbo. You ate my po’boy.” The two men chuckled and Rossi’s face turned a bright red. He reached for his weapon, but a shot was fired from somewhere above the store, kicking up dirt and gravel at his feet.

His men all crouched low, waiting for an onslaught of firepower. When it didn’t come, they straightened.

“Where is he?” asked Rossi to the man beside him, his eyes searching the trees in the distance.

“Don’t know, sir. We don’t see anyone.”

“Well, someone is sure as fuck there!”

The man said nothing, still scanning the woods behind the store, other men turning to view the bayou. No one seemed to pay attention to the fact that shots had been fired. They were just going about their business.

“It’s okay, fellas,” said Mara walking out onto the porch. “I believe Mr. Rossi is looking for me.”

“You bitch! You fucking cunt!” he screamed.

“Such a foul mouth,” said Mara. “Just like your worthless, drug-addicted son.”

“My son didn’t do drugs,” he sneered.

“He absolutely did,” said Mara. “He was addicted to everything you sell, and he was proud of it. It’s how he got my sister. He drugged her, thought they would have some fun, except he overdosed her. It’s why he nearly beat her to death. She was too out of it to fight.”