she intuited his tension. Assuming the spot across from her, he smiled as their chatty server provided coffee for him and water for both.
A shadow of sadness and uncertainty crossed Charlotte’s features once they were alone. Their selections from the elaborate buffet inside remained untouched. Max pushed his own worries aside to reach for her hand. She clung, not for rescue but for the support effortlessly provided.
“What is it, sha?”
“I called Atcliff out.”
Max listened without reaction as she detailed the conversation then replied, “Trust your instincts, Detective. They’ve only failed you once.”
Red lips pursed reluctantly. “Yeah? When was that exactly?”
“That time we stood on Jimmy’s porch and I asked who was on your boot heel. You saw danger instead of safety.”
An unladylike snort. “I saw what you wanted me to see. A challenge I couldn’t resist once I realized you’d saved our lives at the risk of your own.”
“But you, sha,” he countered quietly, “rescued my soul.”
As she fell into the intensity of his gaze, small frown lines furrowed her brow. Before he could second guess her mood, Cee Cee turned to her brunch selections of thick turtle soup, chicken and andouille gumbo, sweet potato salad, catfish roulade and fresh fruit, skipping over each of those rich offerings after a taste to pick at the colorful slice of King Cake with her fingers. Max remained silent, allowing her to regroup before gently returning to the emotional issue.
“Can you trust him to stand by what he says he’ll do? Will he walk away and stay away, or is he throwing smoke to give himself more time to secure what he has?”
“I wish I knew. Part of me wants to believe he’s still the hero a little girl looked up to.” A bitter laugh. “The way I looked up to my father.”
“Your father was a hero, Charlotte.” His unlikely argument had her blinking up at him in doubtful surprise until he explained, “He chose the hard road when the easy one was laid out in front of him. The same way you always have. And you’ll be the same kind of example for our daughter to follow.”
She’d started to smile then winced sharply.
“Charlotte?”
She gripped his hand, pulling him halfway across the table to fit his palm to the side of her belly. At his puzzled look, she smiled mysteriously and whispered, “Wait for it.”
He jumped in surprise as a ripple stirred beneath the silky fabric of her boldly patterned black-and-red top. He waited in suspended-breath amazement for the next subtle wave then grinned wide. Their child, like her mother, wasn’t one to remain silent.
Glistening dark eyes met his. “We’ve got a fighter.” She twitched and let out a shaky breath. “And she packs quite the punch.” Brows quirked at Max’s expression. “What?”
“I think she was giving you your answer.” His long fingers laced tight between hers, forming a gentle fist. “Be a fighter. Do the right thing, for the city and for her. You need to be inside the department. Take his deal, with prejudice. See it for what it might be, just a way to get around you. But you’re smart and will always be one step ahead to hold him to his promises.”
“I love you, Savoie.”
“Good.” He kissed her knuckles then released her to address his Duck à l’Orange. A smile slipped free as she finally took up her fork with enthusiasm. Because he could put it off no longer, he said, “I might be late tonight. An unexpected opportunity has come up at work.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll tell you more in the morning. No use getting hopes up prematurely.” Until after he played out his cautious hand.
Cop’s eyes narrowed. “What are you up to, Max?”
“I won’t be breaking any laws, Detective. My word on it. So, can I finish this nice lunch with the irresistible mother of my child, or do you want to interrogate me?”
After a fierce examination, she proposed, “Food first. I’ll have the handcuffs ready later.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
Max observed as she enjoyed her meal, imprinting every line of her face, every inflection of her voice upon his heart, knowing he might never enjoy this perfect Heaven again.
But they would have it, his wife, his child, his people. That well-deserved future would be theirs.
Pushing away from her buffet plate, Cee Cee groaned. “I want to put my feet up and sleep the afternoon away.”
He provided a tender smile. “Do not tease me with that image, or neither of us will get any work done.”
Cee Cee was about to suggest