Chapter 25

Remy put his uniform on, ready to get back to work but not at all ready to leave Ephie. And not just because he felt duty-bound to protect her. He liked spending time with her. Loved hanging out and talking and laughing.

He stood before his dresser mirror, making sure he was squared up. Jean-Luc sat on the dresser's top, watching.

Things were better between him and Ephie now than they had been in college. For one thing, Ephie had matured and was more self-assured. More confident. That shy girl was mostly gone, replaced by a poised young woman who took his breath away. Or would have, if he'd had breath.

He was more in love with her than ever. He knew that as much as he knew anything. What he wanted was for her to stay. That would take some convincing, but one thing he could do was make sure she fell in love with the town.

His phone vibrated with an incoming call. Leonie.

He answered. "Hello?'

"I wasn't sure you'd be up."

He stared at the ceiling. "Yep. About to head to work, but don't worry, someone else will be with Ephie. A very capable woman who also works for the sheriff's department."

"That's good to hear. I'm not sure how important it is now, though."

He frowned. "Why? What's happened?"

"Turner was wounded in a prison riot. He didn't make it. Not a great way to go, but I can't say I'm broken up about it."

"You sure about that? With his voodoo connections—"

"He was stabbed in the neck. No one loses that much blood and survives, even with supernatural help."

Remy sat on the bed, relieved. "So it's over then?"

"I should think so. Darryl isn't quite so certain. He thinks there could be repercussions or possibly revenge for Turner's death, but that would be focused on me, not Ephie."

Remy nodded. "Thanks for letting me know. Do you have protection then?"

"I'm surprised you care. I do. Besides Darryl, I have a rotation of officers at the courthouse."

"Good. I'll give Ephie the news. Darryl's probably right about this. I think it's still wise for us to be cautious. Be safe, Leonie."

"Thank you." She hung up.

Remy stuck his phone into the holder on his belt, and with Jean-Luc trotting along beside him, Remy walked out to the kitchen, ready for a little sustenance before he clocked in. "Eph? Ephie?"

"Out in a minute," she called from the guest room.

He got a bottle out of the fridge, noticing a piece of paper on the table. He read it as he drank his dinner and waited on her. Jean-Luc milled about, probably wanting attention. The report didn't really give him any new information, other than the name of the woman who'd been inside the car.

Ephie appeared right after he'd set the empty with the others for recycling and picked up Jean-Luc. She had on jeans, a silky white and pink printed top, and a rose-colored cardigan, all paired with crisp white low-top sneakers.

"You look very pretty," Remy said. Jean-Luc jumped out of his arms to rub against Ephie's legs.

"Thanks." Her smile seemed tentative. "I was hoping you'd be all right with me going to that coven meeting tonight."

"That's tonight? I guess it had slipped my mind."

"Pandora said she'd pick me up and bring me home and Birdie will meet me here. I'll text her as soon as we leave the meeting. I won't be alone for a second."

He nodded. "You really want to go?"

"I do."

He kept a poker face, but the truth was, he wanted her to go probably more than she did. If she enjoyed herself and made some friends, it could only work in his favor. "You promise to keep your eyes open? Not take any chances?"

"I swear it."

"Text me when you leave and when you get home."

"I will." She smiled. "Thanks. I thought I was going to have a much bigger argument on my hands."

He shrugged. "You're a grown woman. You're in charge of your own decisions. And I can be here in a matter of minutes should something arise. Also, your mother just called to say Turner is no longer an issue. He was killed in a prison riot."

"I'd say I was sorry, but that would be a lie."

"We should still be careful for a few days in case any of his crew decide to take revenge, but Darryl thinks that will be aimed at your mother, not you. And she's being protected."

"I'm glad for that. And Birdie will still be here this evening." Ephie came over to him, smoothing her fingers down the line of buttons on the front of his shirt. "You look very handsome in your uniform."

He lifted his chin, enjoying her attention. The tension created by Turner's threats had evaporated, and that was a good feeling. Mercy, she was pretty. And she smelled good enough to eat. "The uniform is a popular look with a lot of women."

"A lot of women?" She narrowed her eyes, but her smile remained. "Who exactly are these women?"

He laughed and shook his head. "You have a jealous streak. Good to know."

"Just curious, is all. Hey, you want a doughnut to take with you?"

He gave her a look. "Is that a cop joke?"

"No!" She laughed. "Birdie brought some by earlier. Along with a cinnamon bun and some chocolates. Everything she brought was so good, I can't even tell you. I've already eaten more sugar today than I should have, but it was worth it."

He wasn't even paying Birdie and the woman was helping him out. He put his hands on Ephie's waist. "This town has some good eats."

"I'll say." She rested her arms on his shoulders and smiled up at him. "When will you be home?"

"About forty-five minutes before dawn. I won't wake you, and please don't worry about trying to stay up. You and Birdie just get some sleep. There will be patrols by the house at random intervals, so there's nothing to worry about."

"I'm not worried. Especially with Turner out of the picture. Birdie's good company, too. But if you want to wake me up when you get in, it won't bother me."

He wouldn't, but it was sweet of her to say. He leaned in and kissed her. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, as much as I hate to leave you, I should go soon. Do you know when Pandora will be here?"

Two quick beeps of a car horn answered that question.

"She's here." Ephie grabbed her purse off the table. "Perfect timing."

"Hang on." He opened the drawer that held odds and ends and took out a spare house key on a Nocturne Falls pumpkin keychain. "You'll need this to get back in."

"Good thinking." She tucked the key into her purse, gave Jean-Luc a quick scratch on the head, and then they walked out together. Remy hung back to turn on the porch light and lock the door, then went down the steps to greet Pandora.

Pandora rolled her window down as he walked toward her. "Hi."

"Hi. Thanks for the taxi service. Very nice of you." He rested his hands on the edge of the open window.

"Glad to help."

He smiled at Ephie, now in the front passenger seat. "Have fun. And keep your eyes open."

"I will," Ephie assured him.

He patted the roof of the car before stepping back. "Go ahead and go. I have a few things to do before I leave."

"See you later," Ephie called out.

He waved again. He didn't have anything he needed to do before he left, but he wanted to be sure Pandora's car wasn't being followed. Just because Turner was gone didn't mean his men knew they could back off. Remy watched Pandora's vehicle until it turned the corner. All clear.

He got into his own SUV and headed for the station. Hopefully, it would be a slow night. One that left him some time to drive by the house and check on things.

Ready to back out, he checked the rearview mirror and saw Jean-Luc sitting in the backseat. He laughed but shook his head and turned to face the cat, deciding to talk to him sweetly in the hopes it would get his attention. "Now listen here, mon petit. You cannot come to work with me. You need to get back in that house and wait for your mama. She'll be very upset if she can't find you."

Jean-Luc meowed, a long, plaintive, argumentative sound.

"No fussing. I'm very serious. Out you go." Remy pointed to the house.

Jean-Luc's second meow was softer, more resigned but also a little grumpy.

"I know," Remy said. "Life is unfair at the best of times."

With a flick of his tail, Jean-Luc slipped through the side of the SUV and trotted toward the house, where he disappeared through the front door.