CHAPTER NINE

Seated between Ian and Ghost in the backseat of the SUV, Shelby didn't say anything as the men wound their way through New Orleans. It was sprinkling with the promise of more rain coming before they got home.

Nine looked in the rear-view mirror, giving a glare to Ghost.

"Shelby."

"Don't. Please don't. I appreciate your help more than you can possibly know. But there is nothing you can say that will take the pain of this away."

"Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to stop for a drink and a quick photo," smirked Ghost. Shelby turned to him, shocked at first, then burst into laughter. Ghost smiled at her, the others laughing along.

"Thank you. I needed to laugh at something," she said, shaking her head.

"Shelby, I know it doesn't seem like it now, but this could be a blessing for you. You've seen a little bit of our businesses. We have several. I feel certain that we could find something for you with us, or you could start something of your own. I'd say you're a good person to act as a liaison for our legal team for cases just like this."

"You're just being nice, Nine."

"Honey, he's never nice. He's the meanest bastard of all of us," grinned Ian.

"I find that hard to believe," she said, giving them a sad smile. "You're all some of the nicest men I've ever met. And some of the most handsome. I mean, I know for a fact that Antoine can be my grandfather since he's Dan's grandfather. And Gaspar, you're his older brother. But none of you look anywhere close to your age. And damn, you're handsome.

"I don't know why I would have thought differently. Dan was one of the nicest, handsomest guys in high school. You could just tell that he was from a good, loving family. He always opened doors for women, he stuck up for the underdog, beating down the bully, and he never, although given many chances, took advantage of his good looks with the girls."

Gaspar smiled at her, nodding his head.

"Dan is my great-nephew," he chuckled. "I would expect nothing less of him. We teach all our kids, boys and girls, to do the same. Don't start a fight, but damn sure don't walk away if they're pushing you."

"I don't know a lot about all of you. But I do know that you were all in the military. I have to assume that you've seen the best humanity has to offer and the worst." The men didn't say anything, just listening as Shelby spoke. "In some ways, Amber was right. I'll get my money back. I'll get new credit cards. But I'll think twice before ever buying anything online again. I don't know if I'll ever be able to date again. I won't trust anyone."

"Don't do that, honey. Don't close yourself off," said Ian. "It won't hurt anyone except you. We're going to find these people, Shelby. Once we do, you'll be able to start a new life, either with us at Belle Fleur or maybe in another location."

"I can't think of living anywhere but right here. When my parents moved to Colorado, they tried to get me to go with them. But that was their dream. They wanted to be outdoors, run a campground with wilderness guides and kayaking. That wasn't for me. Plus, they were incredibly suffocating.

"I was born and raised here in the New Orleans area. I've never been anywhere. Not really. I mean, I went to Houston once when I was a teenager. I hated it. Then, one summer, my family went to Pensacola for a week. It was fine, but I don't like the sand much.

"In the end, I always come back here knowing that it's my home. It's my people, my food, my scents and sounds. Do you know what I mean?"

"I know better than anyone what you mean, Shelby," said Gaspar. "I was in the Army for twenty years. The whole time I was gone, all I could think of was coming home to Belle Fleur. To be on our land again with my parents and, hopefully, my siblings. I told my brother once that I used to look up at the stars, knowing that they were seeing some of the same ones on this side of the world. It made me feel closer to them all."

"They're all here," she smiled.

"They are now. When I came home, they were still in the Army or off at college. That was the loneliest time in my life. I had Mama and Pops, but believe me, that wasn't enough for me.

"Nine and his team were in Virginia doing great things. Every now and then, I'd do some work for him. Eventually, it got bigger and bigger, my brothers came home, and we joined forces. By then, all of my brothers except Alec were back home. My sisters were starting to come home. We were all where we should be."

"I wish I'd had a big family," she said softly.

"It's great. And horrible," he laughed. "But mostly great."

"Well, whatever happens, I can't thank you all enough for what you're doing for me. I want to prosecute these people to the fullest extent of the law. Angel said that the man, Mica, feels the same. He wants to fight this."

"He does," nodded Nine, "and we'll make sure we include both of you in on any plans we make, to an extent."

"I understand."

"How are you liking the cottage?" asked Ian. The other three men gave him a quick glance as if to say, ‘what the hell are you doing?'.

"It's wonderful, and Brittany has been lovely. She's one of the nicest young women I've met in a long time, and she seems very well-grounded and mature. She and Tyler seem to be perfect together."

"Don't tell Red that," smirked Gaspar. "I think he'd like to see her wait a bit before getting too serious."

"It sounds like she had to grow up fast with her mother. I'm going to bet she makes pretty sound decisions. I find her lovely."

"And Red?" grinned Ian. Shelby stared at the man, then shook her head. She looked out the window for a long moment, not sure what to say. What about Red? What did she feel for him, if anything?

"He's a nice man. That's all. I have no desire to get into a relationship with anyone right now, and I'm sure he doesn't want one either. Besides, he said he had quite an unusual relationship with his late ex-wife."

"Yep, but he found Brittany again, and they've been happy with us. He was invaluable to our team in Canada. He's a good man, honey. A very good man." Shelby nodded, staring out the window again.

"Yes. He's a very handsome, very nice, very good man."