Read Online Leopard's Prey by Christine Feehan - Free Book Online Page B

seated, had menus and Thereze had bustled off to get them water and bread. “Will it really bother you to have your picture taken with Emile? I’ve known him for nearly my entire life and he’s a good man.”
    Bijou shrugged, avoiding his eyes by looking at the menu. “Of course not. I said I would, didn’ I?”
    She sounded casual and sweet, even to his highly trained ears. Still, he didn’t believe her. He reached across the table, pushing down the menu with one hand and tipping up her chin with the other, forcing her head up, forcing her vivid blue eyes to meet his.
    “Tell me. I’m okay with you bullshittin’ anyone else you feel you need to, but not me. What is it?”
    Her gaze drifted over his face, taking him in. Deciding. There was a moment of hesitation but he refused to release her. He simply waited.
    “I don’ mind takin’ a picture with anyone,” she said, her accent thickening, “but you have no idea what one picture will start.” She gave a little shrug. “No matter. If the food is good, it’ll be well worth it.”
    That little half smile, so secretive, told him she wasn’t exaggerating. Something was going to happen once she took a picture with Emile.
    “I’m not goin’ to leave you here alone, Blue,” he assured. “Whatever it is, you won’ be alone.”
    “Tell me that after I’m here a few hours.”
    “Hours?”
    She nodded her head. “The nice people come first, askin’ for an autograph. Then the more bold ones askin’ for a picture. And then the ones who believe I owe them somethin’ because they listened to Bodrie’s music, or mine. In the middle of all of that, will be the really ugly ones who want to give me lectures and tell me I’ve never had talent and I’m skatin’ on my daddy’s fame.” She shrugged again.
    He let go of her chin, scowling. “If that really happens, why the hell are you runnin’ around without a damned bodyguard?”
    Her long lashes fluttered for a moment, and then lifted. Her blue eyes laughed at him. “I thought I
was
runnin’ around with a bodyguard.”
    “I’m bein’ serious.”
    Thereze put two glasses of water in front of them and poured a cup of coffee for Remy as she lifted an eyebrow at Bijou in inquiry.
    Bijou smiled at her as she nodded. “I’d forgotten how strong the coffee is in New Orleans,” she admitted. “The heat and the coffee.”
    “And mosquitoes,” Thereze added.
    Bijou nodded again in agreement. “The mosquitoes, although I’ve noticed they don’ bother me quite as much as other people. It’s rare for me to get even a single bite. Something to do with my blood, or my scent. Whatever it is, I’m happy about that.”
    “Somethin’ else?” Thereze asked.
    “I’m fine, thank you.”
    Remy waited until the waitress moved away. “Blue, why would you go around without a bodyguard if people do you that way?” He wasn’t about to let it drop. She couldn’t tease her way out of the question. He wanted an answer. She was as elusive as the wind, but not to him. Never to him. He refused to accept her evasions.
    Bijou sighed. “I forgot how relentless you are when you want something.”
    She was silent, absently stirring her coffee with a spoon. Remy waited. He had the patience of a leopard on the hunt and it had always stood him in good stead when interrogating a suspect. Bijou was like a wild, wary animal, not certain who to trust. He was going to be that man.
    She finally looked up at him, her gaze once again moving over his face as if looking for something. “I’m coming home, Remy. I want a home and this is it, my last stand. I’ve been battling uphill for so long and I’m just plain tired. I’m not makin’ records or doin’ concerts anymore. I want to have a quiet, peaceful life. I need to sing, so that’s why I purchased the club, but I need a home. I’m done with travelin’.”
    “You’re very successful as a singer.”
    She sent him a brief smile. “Yes. I can’t say the business wasn’t