Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Kendrick Boudreaux took a breath, and inhaled deeply. There was a chill in the morning air and he could feel his lungs burn from the cold as they expanded. He continued to run, his long legs carrying him down the Broadway Street sidewalk. The uptown historical district was still an area of mixed residential and small commercial properties, with a wealth of 19th-century architecture, and he smiled as he reflected on his surroundings. Coming back to New Orleans always felt good and as he came to an abrupt stop in the driveway of his family home, he hoped that this time he’d be able to spend more than a week there before business sent him in another direction.
It was still dark out, no hint of morning sunshine to be found yet. Above his head, the periodic street lamp lit his way. His breathing was labored as he fought to catch his breath. He ran daily, at least ten miles, and usually the task didn’t feel quite so difficult but the morning cold was unforgiving. Just days earlier he’d been running through Iten, Kenya, the temperatures in the high seventies, his heels kicking up dry dust as a bright sun shone in a deep blue sky. His tenure with the Secret Service had afforded him perks few could imagine.
He inhaled deeply, taking a series of deep gulps as he used the spare key hidden beneath a flowerpot close to the door and entered his family’s home. The house was still quiet, most of his family sound asleep. It would be at least another hour before anyone else would be stirring. They had a long day ahead of them and it would be starting earlier than most would have liked. Kendrick was used to odd hours so nothing about the time disturbed him.
As he eased through the mudroom into the open family space he found his sister Maitlyn sitting at the kitchen table. She sipped on a large mug of coffee as she scanned her electronic tablet. She tossed him an easy smile as he dropped into the seat at her side.
“Good morning,” Maitlyn whispered. “You’re up early.”
He shrugged. “Needed to get my run in before I have to put on that monkey suit.”
She shook her head. “Well, I appreciate you being here to wear that monkey suit.”
Kendrick smiled. “Where else would I be?”
With raised eyebrows she cut an eye in his direction. He chuckled softly as he stood back up and moved to the refrigerator. Swinging open the door he peered inside.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Maitlyn asked.
“No. I’m trying to eat a clean diet. Cutting out the caffeine. You can make me a green juice smoothie if you want.”
Maitlyn laughed. “I guess you missed the memo that said I’m getting married in a few hours.”
Kendrick laughed with her. “Oh, I got the memo. But I know how much you like to be in control so I figured I’d give you something to do.”
“Well, I don’t need one more thing on my list. Make your own damn smoothie!”
Minutes later the two sat side by side, relishing their quiet moment together. Kendrick sipped his organic drink as Maitlyn helped herself to a second cup of coffee. He was in awe of his eldest sister, her calm demeanor feeling out of character for a woman who was just hours away from marrying the man of her dreams. He knew that had it been any one of his other sisters they would have been biting nails and pulling out their own hair. But Maitlyn didn’t seem the least bit fazed. He couldn’t help but think back to the previous year when she had met the man she would soon be marrying.
Zakaria Sayed was his best friend and the two men had been partnered together when both had been recruited for a covert division of the Secret Service. They were a consortium of global enforcement whose work was occasionally extreme, sometimes dangerous and always clandestine. Kendrick had been recruited from the FBI. His friend Zak had been with Interpol, bringing a wealth of international experience to the table. From day one they’d been fast friends and Kendrick trusted the man with his life, and now, more important, he trusted him with his sister.
Last year, Zak had become involved with Maitlyn while he’d been on a mission and she’d been on vacation. Maitlyn had gotten herself tangled smack-dab in the middle of some serious mess. When she’d been abducted and left for dead, his and Zak’s mission to find her had further cemented their friendship. But everything that happened had put a serious crimp in her romantic relationship, one that Kendrick had feared neither would be able to rebound from. But as his mother had often said, fate had sealed the envelope on the love those two shared.
Reunited at his family’s New Year’s celebration, the couple had been virtually inseparable from that moment on. Claiming semiretirement, Zak hadn’t accepted any assignment since that took him away from his desk, refusing to put himself, or Maitlyn, in harm’s way. Zak would soon be his brother-in-law and as the best man, Kendrick was going to ensure the two walked down the aisle without mishap.
“Hey,” Kendrick said, breaking the silence. “When you get back from your honeymoon, would you do me a favor, please?”
Maitlyn met her brother’s gaze. “What do you need?”
“There’s a house that’s listed for sale on Fontainebleu Drive. Would you check it out for me?”
“Is that the pied-à-terre with the guesthouse in the back?”
“Is it cream-colored with a wide porch and a narrow driveway along the side?”
She nodded. “I think the color’s more eggshell than cream.”
Kendrick gave her a daft look as a pregnant pause swept between them. He blinked, batting his thick lashes at her.
Maitlyn chuckled. “I’ll check it out. Are you thinking about settling down? Maybe quitting and getting a normal job?”
Kendrick shot a quick glance over his shoulder. “As far as anyone is concerned I have a normal job, thank you very much. But I am thinking about putting down some roots. It’s hard to maneuver things living in your parents’ home.”
“Like you live here. What’s it been? Three months since the last time you were home? And if you stay forty-eight hours I’d be surprised.”
He shrugged, his broad shoulders pushing toward the ceiling. “It’s still hard to maneuver things.”
“Which means you’re giving up caffeine but not the sex and rock and roll.”
“Exactly, so I need me some space to do me.”
Maitlyn shook her head. “You really need to settle down.”
“You’re starting to sound like our mother.”
“Our mother is a very wise woman.”
“Yes, I am,” Katherine Boudreaux responded from the doorway. She moved into the room and kissed him and then Maitlyn. “What are you two doing up already?”
Maitlyn