Mine to Keep (NOLA Knights #3) - Rhenna Morgan Page 0,7

company would mean more income for the family as a whole, keeping up with local ventures alone had Roman working double his normal hours. If he wanted to have time to visit St. Patrick’s before dark, he’d need to get a move on. He looked to Evette and lowered his voice so as not to interrupt Cassie’s conversation. “I’m dropping today’s receipts on Sergei’s desk. Do you need anything before I go?”

Before she could answer, Cassie’s sharp voice cut across the room, drawing everyone’s attention. “Whoa-whoa-whoa.” She shook her head and stared at the floor. “Back up and say that again a little slower.”

Instincts honed on the streets of Russia flared in an instant, a heightened prickling against his skin and muscles poised for action. Evette and Emerson ceased their cleaning and narrowed their attention on Cassie as well.

It couldn’t be Kir on the phone. His long-time brother-in-arms was as calm and collected as they came. Particularly when speaking with his bride.

The frown on Cassie’s face deepened. “You’re sure they’re gone?” Her eyes widened and her body got straight and stiff. “Are you okay?”

Emerson looked to Evette.

Evette looked to Roman. “What’s going on?”

Roman didn’t know, but he was damned sure going to find out.

“Okay. Okay. Hang on.” Cassie dug in her purse and pulled out a small notepad. “Give me the address again.” She pulled the lid off her pen and tossed it onto the buffet. “4738 Clouet Street?” A pause. “Okay, give me about twenty. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

Oh, no she wouldn’t. Roman knew which parish Clouet Street was in and hell would freeze over before he let his brother’s bride anywhere near it.

Cassie punched the end button on her screen, threw her phone in her purse and hung it on her shoulder, seemingly oblivious to her avid audience. “Hey, guys. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go.”

Roman was in her path before she could take three strides toward the kitchen. “Where do you think you’re going?”

She tried to go around him.

He side-stepped and blocked her again.

“Would you stop it!” she said. “I need to help a friend.”

“Your friend lives in Desire. You’re not going anywhere near that neighborhood.”

Cassie’s head snapped back. “Says who?”

“Says me. And your husband. And your vor.”

“Oh, boy,” Evette murmured. She cleared her throat and tapped Emerson on the shoulder. “Kiddo, how about you run upstairs and wash that clay off your hands. Momma needs a minute to talk sense into your aunt and uncle.”

Emerson eyed Roman and Cassie with a mix of mirth and concern, but clearly wasn’t about to argue with his mother because he gave up his chair and headed toward the stairs, wiping his hands on a towel along the way. Just before he ducked out of sight, he paused and offered, “Don’t be too mad at him, Cassie. Uncle Kir wouldn’t like it if you went somewhere bad while he’s gone.”

Uncle Kir wouldn’t like it if she even thought about going to Desire alone, whether he was in town or not.

“Go,” Evette said with a wave of her hand. “And try not to get mud everywhere.” Not waiting for her son to hit the stairs, Evie faced Cassie. “Now, back everything up and tell me who this friend is.”

“Not you, too,” Cassie said.

“Oh, yeah,” Evie fired back. “Definitely me. Maybe once upon a time I’d have thumbed my nose at caution and gone wherever I wanted, but I learned firsthand how my ties to Sergei can be used against him. You’re in the same spot with Kir. That means you gotta think before you act.”

“I have guards.”

“Yeah. So did I, and me and Emerson still nearly ended up on a boat headed for Mexico with a crazy lady out for revenge. Or have you forgotten that little escapade?”

Given the flush that spread across Cassie’s face, the kidnapping that had happened only six months ago was still fresh in her memory. “No, I haven’t forgotten.” She faced Roman. “But this isn’t some whacko out for revenge. This is my friend Bonnie. She needs help.”

“What kind of help?” Roman said.

Cassie threw her hands up. “I don’t know the details. She was really agitated and sounded scared to death. Said someone had shown up at her dad’s house and she thinks they took her dad and brother.”

“She thinks? How does she not know for certain if she was there? And why would they leave her alone?”

“Again... I didn’t push for details, but Bonnie is a good person. A little