As Rett pulled back the chair at the table near the fountain, he lowered his lips to my ear. “You’re striking tonight, the most beautiful of brides.”
His compliment returned warmth to my skin as I tucked the long skirt around me and sat. His next statement made me grin.
“I can’t wait to get you out of that dress.”
He took the seat across from me.
“Is everything all right with the judge?” I asked.
Rett shook his head. “That isn’t your concern.”
I looked from side to side and leaned forward. “We’re alone, Rett. You promised.”
“Yes, my dear, everything is all right. I assured him that nothing he witnessed was factual. He asked if tomorrow he’d be questioned regarding the unexpected meeting.”
“Why—?”
The word barely left my lips before I knew the answer: Kyle and Liam.
“And you said...?”
“I told him the same as I promised you, Emma. They will live to see tomorrow.”
We turned at the sound of doors opening and a cart coming our direction. Ian and Miss Guidry were both present, complete with a silver ice bucket and a bottle of champagne. Once two glasses were poured, Rett lifted his to mine. “To fulfilling promises.”
That shouldn’t be a daunting toast, but I couldn’t help but think about the conversation I’d only recently had with the older lady still at our side. My gaze went to her and back to Rett as I too lifted my glass.
As the bubbling liquid glistened under the lights of the courtyard, I realized that the toast Rett had offered wasn’t only for me. The handsome man staring now, focused solely on me, also had made promises.
Our glasses clinked. “To promises.”
Rett
As Emma and I reached the door to her suite, the one connected to mine, there were messages multiplying upon my phone. I’d felt the vibrations throughout our dinner. There may even be missed phone calls. Henri had made a terrible mistake allowing Isaiah Boudreau II and William Ingalls into my house. He would be dealt with in time. Most recently, I’d sent the message to my men currently transporting our unexpected visitors. Their lives would be spared, but not without a ride they wouldn’t soon forget.
I gave no explanation for my change in orders. That wasn’t necessary. My word was law. Nevertheless, sparing their lives didn’t mean the night would be without terror.
My men were taking Boudreau and Ingalls on a tour of the Louisiana bayou. Maurepas Swamp wasn’t far. The marshland took up nearly one hundred square miles, encircling three sides of Lake Maurepas and was located about twenty-five miles west of New Orleans.
Boudreau and Ingalls would be taken out on an old wooden boat with oars, deep into the cypress swampland on this nearly moonless night. It was a ride few lived to describe. Though theirs would be different.
There were old roads, not known by many, where tonight my men would be retrieved before leaving the two unwanted visitors afloat with bindings that with some perseverance would come undone.
My word to my wife would remain true.
Neither man would meet a bullet tonight. However, their survival skills would be tested as they tried to make their way out of the vast wetland.
The area in question was home to many creatures including raccoons, white-tailed deer, and alligators. The latter was known as a nocturnal feeder. It would be up to the two men to remain off the menu.
Their adventure, at best, would take them out onto Lake Maurepas where once daylight broke, they may possibly meet up with tour guides or locals. At worst, they would descend deeper into the bog and learn what other creatures lurked in the canopied undergrowth. Rumors swirl about the possibilities.
Either outcome worked for me and allowed me to keep my word to both Emma and Judge McBride.
Before opening the suite door, I stopped and releasing Emma’s hand, whisked her off her feet, cradling her against my chest.
Her giggle was sweeter than the blues and jazz I enjoyed listening to.
“Rett, put me down.”