The Best Laid Plans (Brothers of the Bayou)

by Peterson, Renee

  “I’m going to call Justin and let him know we stopped for the night,” Beaux lied.

  “Good idea, I’m going to jump in the shower.” If he wasn’t so pissed, he’d be tempted to join her.

  He left her and grabbed a key, standing right outside their room. Jared answered on the third ring and Beaux lit into him before he could say a word.

  “Who the hell was at your house today and why are they following us. Don’t you even try to tell me you can’t say or don’t know damn it, because this isn’t some game.”

  “You need to calm down Beaux.”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down when I have a car following me right after being told my new girlfriend’s dad is a major drug dealer being investigated, especially when that car was at your house this morning.

  “They are there to protect you and Lacy. That’s all I can say for now.”

  “Damn it Jared, I’m your brother. Tell me what the hell is going on.”

  “I can’t Beaux. Please just trust me on this one.”

  Beaux couldn’t think past his anger and fear for Lacy. “Then you are not the brother I thought you were.”

  Jared hung up stunned into silence. His line of work often saw people throwing out words they didn’t mean, but none had ever sliced him like Beaux’s. Maybe it was time to change jobs. He was sure Beaux would see everything differently once the truth came out, but for now he would just have to be angry, for his own sake.

  Beaux leaned against the door calming down before he went back to Lacy. He would never expect his brother to reveal classified information to him, but when his own life and those he loved were involved wasn’t that different? He was pissed, but Lacy didn’t need to see that. These were the times he wished that he still smoked. A nicotine fix was calling him loud and clear but that wasn’t an option. Taking a deep breath, he went back inside to find the only fix that could help him. He found her still in the shower, running her hands through her hair.

  He knocked on the thin glass door separating them. Seeing the hunger in his eyes, she pulled him in, barely allowing time for him to undress. He exchanged all his negative emotions filled with fear and anger with his love for her and claimed her mouth in his most intense display of the raw need for her and only her. With the burning water running over them, he pinned her against the shower stall, giving her pleasure until she shouted out in sheer rapture. Only then, did Beaux allow himself release. By the time the water turned cold, he had almost forgotten about the car following them.

  Chapter 6:

  Sunlight leaked through partially cracked curtains, finding its way to Lacy’s eyes. Grudgingly, she opened them wishing she could keep them shut and fall back asleep. Long into the night, she had laid beside Beaux, held tight in his arms. Even after he had fallen asleep, she had laid awake, his hold never loosening. She should have felt at peace, but she was nervous. Something was wrong and she was lost as to what. When Beaux had came to her in the shower, the storm in his eyes had returned with a glint of fear. Their love-making had been fierce but gentle and she gave him what she knew he needed. In sleep he was a different person. His chest rose with each breath in a steady rhythm and his thick, disheveled hair stuck up in all the wrong spots tempting Lacy to run her hands through it. He looked content, and if not for his constant tight grip, she could almost believe everything was fine. She leaned back into him, allowing herself that illusion, waiting for him to awaken.

  Thirty minutes later he began to stir. “Good morning,” he murmured brushing a kiss against her forehead. Then, as he came to full consciousness, his eyes clouded over. He rolled over grabbing his phone, slamming it down in frustration when he didn’t see what he wanted. Lacy’s nerves grew. When they were together, they rarely checked their phones, shutting out the world around them. He composed himself quickly and turned back with a smile for her.

  “Do you want to get breakfast before we leave or make it down the road further?”

  “Here is fine. I’d rather make as few stops as possible.”

  Beaux got out of bed, pulling on a pair of jeans. He went to the window and drew the blinds, all the while searching for the car. Feeling a fleeting moment of relief, he knew there were still answers he didn’t have, but at least for the moment he felt he could relax.

  They grabbed breakfast at a diner they suspected was created just for tourists. The parking lot was full, so they figured at least the food was decent. As they ate their eggs and toast, Beaux’s eyes constantly searched outside for the car. Finally Lacy had enough.

  “What is going on Beaux? Something isn’t right with you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re looking around like you expect to see someone else and you were upset last night.”

  “I was just tired last night and I thought I saw an old college friend when we walked in.”

  Beaux was a terrible liar. Even if he had been adept at telling lies, his eyes always told the truth. Lacy hurt knowing he wasn’t being honest, but she let it go for now. Intuition told her that he had his reasons and so far he hadn’t given her any reason not to trust him. Having faith in someone did not come easy and she only prayed she was making the right decision.

  Beaux paid their bill, leaving a generous tip. He stood by the door while Lacy used the restroom, taking this time to more keenly observe the parking lot. Still no sign of the car or its occupants, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling they were here, lurking in the near vicinity. He wanted to call Jared again and yell at him until he finally broke and told him everything. Unfortunately, he knew not only would that accomplish nothing he would come out of the conversation saying more things he’d have to apologize for later. The lie he told Lacy earlier was obvious and he knew without a doubt that she didn’t buy it. Lying to her went against everything be believed, except the need to protect her. She came out of the bathroom and they walked to his truck. There was a strain between them, barely detectable but there nonetheless. Lacy looked wary of him, probably thinking of all the men who had previously deceived her. Conversation was limited and when she asked him to pull over those were the first words either had spoken in two hundred miles.

  Lacy went inside the restroom and not having seen any sign of the followers, Beaux took his eyes off the door long enough to stop at the vending machines. He chose a soda for him and a bottle of water for Lacy and then grabbed a pack of candy from the next machine. People were coming in and out by the droves, but then again, it was the last Sunday in May, making it a popular travel day. He looked out at the parking lot and saw a small car pull in three spots away from his truck. While the car itself was different the passengers inside were undoubtedly the same passengers from the car following them yesterday. Beaux’s heart pounded and he glared at them, knowing they could see. When the female got out of the new car and began walking towards the bathroom, Beaux’s adrenaline took over. Screw this he thought, running into the woman’s bathroom. Among a round of screams and cries from the other females, he spotted Lacy at a sink washing her hands. She stared at him in panic when he grabbed her arm, firmly telling her “let’s go.” As inconspicuously as possible, considering he had just burst into a women’s restroom causing a massive distraction, they rushed to his truck and sped away.

  Lacy held her breath terrified. If someone didn’t tell her what was going on she would scream. The only thing that prevented her from doing that now was seeing Beaux look equally terrified. They put some distance between the rest stop and them, before Beaux finally spoke.

  “We’re being followed.”

  “What?” Lacy asked incredulously, wondering if her dad had finally lost it and still had people trailing her.

  “I have to tell you something Lacy. You’ll probably be mad, but I am begging you to understand, I only did it to protect you.”

  Her throat constricted and she felt panic rising. “Tell me everything and now!”

  “When you told me your dad had an affair with his brother’s wife and that didn’t make
sense, I remembered some things your uncle had said in the past. You know Sara and I were friends, and I spent time at her house during our school years. There were contradictions between what I had heard and seen from your uncle, and what you told me. I had Jared do some investigating.”

  “What does Jared have to do with this?” Lacy asked through clenched teeth. She dug through her purse for an Ativan before the panic fully set in.

  “He has connections.”

  “What connections?” she demanded.

  He could see he was at a point where he had to spill everything now if he had any hope of regaining her trust. Opening the floodgates, he told her everything from Jared’s job, the new information they had found, the car following them, and even what Justin and him had suspected for some time. Lacy sat quietly absorbing the information she had just been given. The part about her dad made sense. She had heard enough over the years from other people that it wasn’t shocking to her. Even, the part of using an alias didn’t upset her. Her name was what she had always known even if it wasn’t her parent’s true surname. Hell, if her dad was actually doing what all signs indicated, she preferred that her name wasn’t what it should be. In a way it gave her a means to separate herself from his actions. Somehow she was even able to get past that they were being followed. If Jared really did have that job and he told Beaux these people were here to protect them, than she believed it. Perhaps naivety had always been her biggest weakness. But what bothered and upset her the most, were the claims against her aunt and uncle. Nothing could have prepared her for that and she just couldn’t believe it.

  “What does Sara know of all this?”

  “Nothing and that’s how Justin wants to keep it.”

  “Then I will do my part to make sure she doesn’t find out. I don’t care for the idea of hiding anything from her, but with her pregnancy, that changes things.” She spoke in a neutral tone and Beaux wished to God she would say something indicating if they were okay.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you from the beginning. I only wanted what I thought was best.” He sounded desperate and didn’t even care. He was desperate and needed to know that Lacy could forgive him.

  Lacy inhaled and didn’t speak again for a long while. Beaux’s agony grew waiting for her to speak. Finally, she let him into her head. “This is a lot to digest Beaux. I’m not even sure where to begin. I wish I could say I was mad at you for not telling me, but then I’d have to be mad at myself for not telling Sara. All I can say for now is that if even a small fraction of this is true, then the truth would come out eventually regardless of what you did. And when it comes out, I’ll need someone beside me to help carry me through it. When that time comes, I’m glad it will be you beside me.

  She took his hand and held it tightly when Beaux heaved a very audible sigh of relief.

  Something cataclysmic had shifted in their lives ripping them out of their Eden, but together they would face it.

  They crossed into South Carolina relieved to be on the final leg of their trip. Small talked filled the space along the miles, distracting them just enough so they could focus on getting Lacy back to her apartment. The sun was beginning to set as they reached Charleston. He could see the charm of the city, but he still preferred his bayous back home in Louisiana. Exhausted and weary, they pulled into the parking lot of Lacy’s apartment complex, ready to climb into bed. Beaux gathered their bags and they walked up the two flights of stair to Lacy’s apartment. Lacy fumbled with her keys putting them in the lock to open the door. When the door opened without the key turning, Beaux straightened out his arm to block Lacy from entering. With one hand on the Kimber and the other reached behind him, secure on Lacy’s shoulder, he entered the building first and Lacy followed directly behind him.

  Lacy gasped at the scene before her. Not a single thing was out of place and nothing was noticeably missing, but on her carpet in crimson red letters someone had wrote out “You have been warned.” She began violently shaking and Beaux quickly ushered her out of the room back into the hallway. He called the authorities and took Lacy back to the truck to wait. Three minutes later the first police officer appeared, quickly followed by others. Evidence was taken and the scene processed. Lacy and Beaux were asked to the station for questioning and they easily complied. Beaux listened as Lacy told everything she knew and Beaux filled in information from their time in Louisiana and the ride home. Other agencies were called in, asking Beaux and Lacy for further statements. Lacy was still visibly shaken and Beaux held her tightly, offering any strength he could. At one point, Lacy was asked to be questioned alone and she resisted, not wanting to lose Beaux by her side. He promised to wait right outside until she finally agreed and he reluctantly left her alone.

  Swallowing his pride, he called Jared and left him a message when he didn’t answer. He had other calls to make but they could wait until later. A shiver coursed through him and he looked up and saw the two passengers from the car that had followed them. An officer escorted them and they were walking in his direction.

  They stood outside the door next to him only mere inches separating them, but no words were spoken. Again, Beaux wished he had a cigarette or at least some chew. Are they almost done with Lacy, he wondered for the fifth time. He was growing increasingly concerned about leaving her alone and his agitation grew the longer they waited. After what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened. Beaux wasted no time reaching Lacy, who was now several shades paler. At his touch, she softened almost imperceptibly and then they were instructed to sit down.

  A tall man with a bald head and thick neck began speaking. “Ms. Landon, we believe you are in grave danger. While we are not at liberty to discuss anything further than what we have, we are offering you protection for the immediate future. Levi and Monica have been assigned to continue your protection.”

  “Just how long have they been following us already?” Lacy asked numbly.

  “Three weeks.”

  Lacy gasped at the revelation. Even before she had left South Carolina she was being followed. Would her life ever be her own? If not for Beaux’s presence she felt like she could faint. Thank God he had driven her home. She couldn’t imagine dealing with this on her own.

  A realization hit her. “How closely have I been followed?”

  “Very closely.”

  Her face burned remembering the intimate displays of affection between Beaux and her when they thought they had been alone. Beaux must have been thinking the same thing and gave her hand another squeeze. The man, Levi’s expression revealed nothing. The woman, Monica on the other hand, held a trace of embarrassment as they all had the same train of thought.

  The tall, bald man they now knew as Detective Martin began speaking again, handing Beaux a packet. “We have arranged for you to stay at a hotel until this situation is resolved. You will find the hotel reservation and credit card to be used enclosed. You can return to your apartment tonight long enough to gather necessary items. Levi and Monica will be nearby at all times. They are two of our best and will allow you as much freedom as they can while still being within reach to protect you. If anything else happens or you receive any new information, you call me immediately. My office, cell and answering service numbers are all in the packet of information I gave you. Now, any questions?”

  There were plenty of questions, but none that she could have answers for so she nodded meekly.

  “Would you like an escort back or drive your personal vehicle?”

  “We will drive my truck,” Beaux answered for them.

  “Well then that is all. You are free to go and we will keep you updated as we can.”

  Beaux led Lacy out with his hand resting on the small of her back. It was pitch black outside now and well after midnight. Lacy was still pale and dark circles were forming under her eyes. He would do anything to ease her pain right now, but didn’t know what else he could do besides being here with her. When they got to her apartment, she paused outside willing herself to go in. B
eaux offered to gather her things for her, but she declined, so they walked in together. She closed her eyes as they crossed through the living room and Beaux led her to the bedroom, so she wouldn’t have to open her eyes and see the words. He made a mental note to makes calls tomorrow for someone to come in and clean it. In the fifteen minute drive across town to the hotel Lacy had fallen asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he pulled the truck to the entrance, parking where he could see her at all times from the desk, having a small measure of peace for now, knowing for sure whom Levi and Monica were. He checked in then moved the truck around back, closer to their room. Lacy hadn’t stirred so he laced their bags through his arms and gingerly lifted her into his arms and carried her to their room. With careful maneuvering, he dug the key out of his pocket, opened the door and carried her over the threshold. After gently laying her on the bed, he opened her bag to find a pair of pajamas. With as little movement as possible, he tenderly undressed her from her clothes and put her pajamas on. She woke up just long enough to whisper “I love you Beaux,” then drifted back to slumber. “I love you to ma chère,” he whispered back as she slept. He tucked a sheet around her before getting ready for bed himself and lying down beside her.

  When Lacy woke up the next morning, everything from the day before came rushing back. Here she was back in South Carolina but in a strange hotel and the only thing familiar was Beaux’s breathing beside her. Had it really only been a week since she had first met him? Already she couldn’t remember her life without him and sent a prayer heavenward in gratefulness that he was here with her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was forgetting about something but couldn’t remember. Slipping out of bed, she saw her pajamas and had a vague memory of Beaux changing her. She really must have been tired. Since Beaux was still sleeping, she pulled out her laptop to check her email that had been sorely neglected the past week. Locating the hotel’s wireless network, she connected to her email.