and the wrench you threw into their operations to the east, needed a hands-on approach.”
“Merrick, don’t lose sight of Emma, and pass the word to Mook that I need more guys on the kids.”
“You got it, boss.” Merrick stood and nodded. “See you in the morning.”
Muriel said good night as well and headed up to her suite.
“I want you to swear you’ll tell me if that asshole comes within twenty feet of you,” Cain said once they were alone.
“I think he got the message I wasn’t interested, honey.”
Cain shook her head. “Guys like Juan never get that message until two seconds before death takes them from the severe beating that kills them. If he comes near you, I want you to call me no matter what. I’m serious. I’m not taking any chances with you.”
“I’ll tell you, but I think Merrick’s going to beat me to it. If Lou’s with me, I’ll call you from the bank while I’m drawing out his bail for shooting the little bastard.”
“Just remember that Juan isn’t someone I want to second-guess.”
“I was being serious too. You’ve built a fortress around us, so I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“I’ll make that true no matter what.”
Chapter Seventeen
The car stopped in front of Galatoire’s, but Remi studied the street in both directions before she opened the back door for Dallas. A few tourists were still walking around and the ever-present van was parked a block away, but otherwise, it was quiet.
“Ready?” Dallas asked from behind her.
“Sorry, old habit.” Remi took her hand to help her in. On the seat lay a bouquet of Chinese orchids.
Dallas picked up the flowers and closed her eyes as she smelled them appreciatively. “How did you know these are my favorite?”
“I cruised the Internet this afternoon and found your official Web site. All it took was a call to the president of your fan club. She told me your favorite color, food, and sexual position, as well as your favorite flowers. I’m not going to press you as to how she came by her information.” Remi smiled.
“If I have an official Web site, it’s news to me, and if I did, I sure as hell wouldn’t share that much.”
“The woman did sound like someone with way too much time on her hands. To reward her, I did tell her that since I’m a fan too I’d do some research and get back to her if anything was off base.”
“I hope you’re not the kind to kiss and tell.” Dallas laid the orchids across her lap and smiled. “Thank you for these. It’s been awhile since anyone’s given me flowers.”
“Is it all right that I did?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“If you were with me, I’d mind if someone else went to the trouble. I don’t want to do that to someone else. Despite my reputation, that isn’t my style.” Remi thought of Bob and what part he played in Dallas’s life.
“There’s no one,” Dallas answered, taking Remi’s hand. They rode the rest of the way to Dallas’s home in silence. When they had to stop a block from her door because of the nightly barricades the police put up so Bourbon Street could become a pedestrian street, Simon got out and walked ahead of them.
“Does Simon always go everywhere with you?”
“Because of our business it’s necessary, I’m afraid.” Remi had about a hundred feet to come up with an explanation that wouldn’t send Dallas screaming away from her. Dallas had to realize the risks involved with entering a relationship with her, if they decided that’s what they both wanted.
Simon interrupted her thoughts. “I’ll wait at the car. Call when you’re ready.”
Dallas unlocked the door and led Remi into the house. “Would you like anything?” She opened one of the kitchen cabinets and took out a vase. “If you don’t want to tell me anything, it’s okay. Just forget I asked.”
“If you want to know something, I want you to ask. I’m having a hard time because I’ve never bothered to explain my situation to anyone.” She watched Dallas’s hands as she trimmed the tips off the stems and placed the flowers in the vase.
When she finished, Remi accepted the hand Dallas held up and followed her into her living room. The house contained a mixture of antique and comfortable pieces with tasteful artwork, but very few pictures. The style fit the little bit of Dallas she’d come to know.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything?” Dallas asked as Remi took a seat next to her on the sofa.
“Just a few minutes to talk would be good.” Remi studied their hands pressed together. Compared to hers, Dallas’s hands were small and delicate, but her grip was strong. “I like spending time with you, but you need to know what you’re getting into. Once I’m finished, if you feel like you can’t or don’t want to continue, you’ll still have a future with the studio. You have my word. The woman who disrupted dinner tonight is with the FBI.”
Remi gave her a tame but clear explanation as to why she and her business associates would bear federal scrutiny, or at least why the federal authorities thought they did. Dallas could have gathered these facts from reading the newspaper stories about them. Fair warning was one thing, but blatantly confessing to someone she didn’t know much about was pure insanity.
In the middle of her account, Dallas turned away, then reclined against her and pulled Remi’s arm around her. Remi was surprised but kept talking until Dallas had a clearer picture why she’d never heard of her and Cain, and why they fought so hard to keep it that way.
