Page 27 of Beau

“Thanks.”

“If you need backup, you have my number.”

Beau didn’t tell his teammate he didn’t have a working cell phone. He’d have to remedy that situation soon. “What time is it?”

Valentin checked his watch as he passed Beau in the corridor. “Six-thirty. See ya.” The man descended the stairs, quietly exiting the building.

Six-thirty. His mother would be awake by now. She’d know where he could find a place he and Aurelie could hole up in until they got a handle on who was after her. He’d call his mother, but he didn’t have a phone that worked.

The metal-on-metal sound of a lock disengaging brought his attention to the door in front of him.

The knob turned, and the door opened.

Aurelie peeked out, her hair in disarray, her face flushed from sleep and sexy as hell. “Hey,” she said.

“Hey,” he echoed. “Did you get some sleep?”

“Some.” She pushed a hand through her thick black hair.

Her movements stretched the T-shirt across her unbound breasts, making Beau want to back her into the room, close the door and weave his hands through the tresses while he made crazy love to her. Keeping his hands off her was going to be one of the toughest tasks he’d ever imagined.

“Hungry?” he asked.

Her gaze met his, her eyelids at half-mast. “Mmm,” she murmured, the sound low and gravely.

“I know where we can get a home-cooked breakfast.”

She looked down at her outfit and shook her head. “Will they let me through the door dressed like this?”

He grinned. “Absolutely.”

“I need to brush my teeth, comb my hair and put on my boots.” She opened the door wider. “You need to use the facilities?”

He nodded. “Thanks.”

She stepped aside, allowing him to enter.

“I’d put on the costume I wore last night, but I’m sure it’s still wet and smells like the bayou. I rinsed it out when I showered, but it really needs to be thrown in the washing machine with detergent.”

“We’ll work on getting you something to wear today,” he said.

She frowned. “You really don’t have to do everything for me. Just because you saved me from drowning doesn’t mean you have to be my permanent guardian angel. I can find a way to get back to my car.”

“Come to think of it, where is your car?” he asked. “It wasn’t at your house.”

She shook her head. “No. I met my father at his home in Baton Rouge to help him get ready for the masquerade party. I’d planned on staying the night with him since we’d be getting back so late.” Aurelie grimaced. “I’ll need to get a driver to take me all the way to Baton Rouge to get my car. I can’t keep taking advantage of you.”

“You’re not.” Beau shook his head. “I can’t bring myself to walk away from you,” he said. “For some reason we don’t yet understand, you have a target hanging on your back. I don’t feel comfortable abandoning you until we figure out who’s gunning for you.”

“You wouldn’t be abandoning me,” she said. “You’re not responsible for me. I can take care of myself.”

“Obviously,” Beau snorted. “When were you planning on coming up for air in the bayou? About the time that alligator reached you?”

Her brow furrowed. “I would’ve found the surface...” With a dramatic roll of her eyes, she sighed. “Okay. So, I might not have made it out before the alligator got to me. You saved my life, and I probably wouldn’t be here arguing with you had you not.” She spread her hands out to her sides. “I don’t want to be a burden on you. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time—like working or finding a job now that you’re out of the military.” She paused. “How long have you been out?”

“A couple of years,” he answered automatically.

Her brow twisted. “And you haven’t found work yet?”