AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s a distant fourth to stopping Gutierrez, helping Alvaro see justice done for his father’s death, and saving the Gazette. That would be a nice symmetry for me—Levi saved me. He gave me a job when no one else would even talk to me. I’d like to save his paper, if I can.”
“Those are lofty goals for noble reasons.”
“Will you help me accomplish them?”
“To a degree. I will not see you put in harm’s way.”
“We can work together…”
“Maybe, but maybe not. I want you here at Force et Honneur. If for some reason you need to leave, you will either be with me or a security detail.”
“I can’t exactly sneak around with a bunch of guys with guns following me.”
“Those who would try to take you from me will have guns, as well. Do you have your next meeting with Alvaro set up?”
“No, that’s what the second phone call is about, remember?”
Bodie nodded. “I do.”
“Will you let me make those calls?”
“Yes, but I want them on speaker, and you will remain with me.”
“Thank you,” she said, kissing him and enjoying the silken feel of his lips on hers.
“No objections?”
“None. I already offered to do it that way. I know what I’m going to do, and more importantly, I know what I’m not going to do. I’m not going to do anything that jeopardizes you or your—I mean our—people.”
“Then make your calls. Would you prefer to join the rest of the clan for dinner or dine upstairs by ourselves?”
“Would you mind terribly if at least I stayed up here? I don’t think I’m quite ready to face everyone, and I’m really comfy in your shirt and nothing else.”
“Have I mentioned to you how beautiful and sexy you are in my shirt?”
“No, but I’m glad you don’t mind.” She glanced at the clock on the wall—a beautiful piece done in filigree iron with a French flair and pendulum that hung below in an ornate cage and lazily tick-toked in a rhythm that seemed to reflect the lapping of the Gulf of Mexico along the shores.
Bodie let her up and followed her back inside, reaching for the vintage internal phone to let Maurice know they would be dining alone in their rooms. After he was done, he handed Quinn her cell phone, which had been in his pocket. She put it on speaker and used it to call Alvaro.
“Alvaro? It’s Quinn.”
“Quinn, are we still going to meet? I hope you’re not getting cold feet.”
“That’s the last thing that’s going to happen. The Sassafras Tea? Say tomorrow at ten?”
Ten o’clock in the morning on a Sunday was usually a good time to meet. As much as New Orleans was known as a party town, the vast majority of its citizens—more than seventy-five percent—attended church, which meant for those who didn’t, coffee houses and restaurants were relatively easy to get into.
“I’ll look forward to it. Quinn?”
“Yes?”
“Be careful. Things are heating up down at the docks, and the rumor is Gutierrez may either be here now, or he is close. I will understand…”
“No way, Alvaro. We’re going to make him pay for what he did to your father.”
“My father? How did you know?”
“I’m a reporter, Alvaro. It’s my job to know,” she said, covering her slip.
