Revenge Read Free Page B

into a little bit of trouble.”
    “You? In trouble? Why does that sound familiar?” Vic asked. “What did you stick your nose into this time?”
    “A case I worked opened up old wounds and got me suspended and eventually put on mandatory vacation.”
    She straightened. “This is one of your legit reasons for coming back? A case got you in trouble. Damn, feels like déjà vu.”
    “Quit being a smart ass. Do you remember Assistant District Attorney Simon Humbert?”
    “How could I forget? His murder is what got you caught up in my parents’ cold case which led to your faked death and exile to Dallas.”
    “His killer was a high-priced assassin. That same assassin took out a man in Dallas; a man named Roger McBride. McBride was connected to New Orleans—and to me.” Remy enjoyed the realization that flooded Vic’s face. “Now I’m back to finish what they started.”
    “You’ve lost your mind. Did you forget what happened to Marie?”
    He slammed his hand on the tabletop and jerked forward. “Did you forget what Jared did to me?
Mon Dieu
, Vic, you found me bleeding out on my living room floor, nearly dead.”
    “This is how you repay me? By coming back here to let him finish killing you?”
    “He already tried.” Remy tipped his chin down and glared at her. “He sent that assassin after me. But I was the last contract.”
    “You killed a professional hitman?”
    “Yes, but not by choice. A powerful man here in New Orleans put out the hit on Simon Humbert.”
    “How do you know this?”
    Remy waved her off and stood. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, I need some food.”
    Vic bolted from her chair and caught his elbow as he moved to her fridge. She eyed him. “You got a name for this powerful man?”
    Oh, he had a name all right. The assassin made damn sure he got it before dying in Remy’s presence. But it left him with more questions than answers.
    “Does the name Alphonse mean anything to you?”
    • • •
    Mounting the beautiful chocolate-brown mare, Cody settled into the saddle and gathered the reins in her hands. Her self-imposed incarceration left her muscles protesting at having to stretch to ride again. She drew in a ragged breath. Her mare, S’mores Chocolate Graham, bent her head around to look up at her. Those soft brown eyes melted her hardened heart.
    She stroked the mare’s neck. “I know I haven’t been working you.” She flipped the mane to the other side and smoothed it down. “Probably should get back to it, huh?”
    The mare snorted and swung her head forward. Yeah, Cody was on her hit list. A smile crept onto her mouth. Her first smile in days.
    Damn him.
    Cody tapped her heels into S’mores’s sides, and the mare moved forward. They exited the stable and entered the waning evening light. Riding by the skeletal frame of her new home, she nodded to the lingering construction crew cleaning up.
    She clicked to S’mores, who moved into a lengthened trot. They bypassed the indoor arena and headed for one of the cattle trails that led to the farthest grazing pastures on the ranch. Cody needed the chance to clear her head.
    Oh, she could use a drink right about now.
    But Bourbon had dulled her senses, torn her to pieces, and left her with a longstanding battle with alcoholism. It had been her crutch when life got bad. Her breakup with Remy wouldn’t drive her back in to it. The post-traumatic stress after the Rodeo Sweethearts Killer kidnapped her had been bad enough.
    Cody steered S’mores to one of the open hay fields. The fresh cut hay emitted an earthy alfalfa aroma. She tugged the mare to a halt on the edge of the field. Hanging above the horizon, the sun’s large orange orb shimmered as heat waves lifted from the earth. Warmth kissed her skin, and Cody closed her eyes to absorb the sensations.
    Why did Remy do it? Why the hell didn’t he trust her enough to share his problems? They could’ve done it together. Instead he made her mad enough to drop kick him out