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  Seeing Mama Rose’s face in the window of the large door that led to the kitchen, she beckoned and smiled. She wanted to keep her grandmother calm.

  “What the hell was that about?” Mama Rose arched her eyebrows in anger. “Did I piss somebody off or what?”

  “I don’t want to see the day that you don’t piss off someone, but don’t worry about it.

  I’ve got his card and I’ll check it out. Obviously, I can’t do anything until Monday. You should be okay for now.”

  “If they come in here again, I’ll—”

  “You’ll call me before you get yourself arrested. You know they can close you down, with or without cause. You’ve seen it happen to others. Mr. Regilore never did get his business back in gear after the city shut him down. Everybody in our family ate there for breakfast, including you. There was nothing wrong with that establishment, out front or behind the counter.

  ”

  “I don’t have to stand around and let…” She grabbed Chelsea’s raised hand. “And quit interrupting me!”

  “I will if you calm down.” She leaned forward and rested her head on her grandmother’s shoulders. “You’ve been a crusader for human rights, a politician, and a fine businesswoman for as long as I can remember. You’ve paid your dues. You also insisted I go to law school, so stay calm and wait for me to tell you if there’s reason to worry.”

  “Fine.” She let go of Chelsea’s hand. “Your food is on the way.” She turned quickly, her hands anchored on her hips and a slight grin on her face. “Is that big stud of yours in town?”

  Chelsea smiled. “He should be in town soon. I’m sure he’ll come here when he arrives unless they have early curfew.”

  “Watch out for your mama and daddy. Neither one of them are pleased with your choice in men. Your mama is too proper to admit that women have needs, and your daddy will always see you as his little girl.”

  “And you?”

  “I know he’s just a plaything. Every woman should have one.” She smiled broadly.

  “Your folks are thinking marriage for you, and that’s fine, but I think it’s okay to have a little fun first, if that’s what you want. Just watch where you’re headed. If you do get serious, you need to remind him that those fine legs of his won’t hold out forever. He’s making good money now, but he’d better have an exit plan. This family has enough down-and-out jocks who can’t pay for his meals but are always hungry. I’m taking care of two or three already. If they get any more dependent on me, I’ll have to claim them when I file my tax returns.”

  Chelsea threw her head back in laughter. “You’re a pickle, Mama Rose. Still tart enough to make people pucker.” She folded her arms around her grandmother. “I love you. Now don’t go getting all worked up over this thing with the health inspector. I’ll look into it on Monday. I don’t think they’ll bother you before then.” She kissed Mama Rose’s cheek. “I’ll be over there with Skip if you need me.”

  Chelsea shook her head in amazement. Not at her grandmother’s knack for speaking her mind, but at Mama Rose’s uncanny ability to measure most situations just right. Her cousin, Chloe, had ignored advice from Mama Rose, married a basketball player with an excellent contract and helped him spend more money than he made. In addition to chasing every woman who passed by, a knee injury shortly before his contract expired had knocked him down to the gutter. While Chloe worked to support their three children, he spent most of his time on a stool at Mama Rose’s, reliving his past greatness, and expecting free meals. Chelsea was not planning a future with Isaac, but she also knew he was thrifty, and not likely to end up on a street corner. In some ways she was glad they started their relationship with boundaries. It did worry her that maybe her heart had exceeded all limits.

  * * * *

  “What was that all about?” Skip asked when she joined him at the table.

  “Board of health pissed her off.”

  “The what of who? With everything that’s going on in this city, why the hell would they mess with Mama Rose? This restaurant is known for high standards.”

  “What about the old building that houses this restaurant? This place has withstood hurricanes and floods, and it’s been in our family for three generations. Mama Rose owns it outright. If someone wants the land for a hotel or high rise, they have to come up with some reason to make her leave.”

  Skip stopped eating. “And you think they can do that?”

  “I won’t say they can’t. Even if they don’t close her down, they can make it hard for her operate. They’ve done it before. I’ll look into it first thing Monday morning.”

  “Think you can help? Should we call someone? We can’t just let some asshole close this restaurant.”

  “I know I can help. I just don’t know to what extent.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Mama Rose. “I do wish she’d stop being so volatile. That just makes it worse.”

  Skip chuckled. “Must have another grandmother in mind. Ours would explode if she tried to hold her tongue.” His expression switched to one of concern. “What’s new with you? How’s that big case coming?”

  “Trial date’s been set already, if you can believe that.” It dawned on her that her brother had never shown a grain of interest in her career. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just curious. It’s in the news a lot.” He tried to change the subject. “I need to take care of some business early in the morning. Mind if I crash at your place tonight?”

  She squared her shoulders. “Elwin George Constantine, don’t give me that.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “The hell you don’t. I know you better than anyone else does. We don’t bullshit each other, remember?”

  He looked into her eyes. “David Porter just left.”

  “Running his big mouth as usual.” She knew David would never be able to keep the

  situation to himself. She had hoped he would not see any members of her immediate family until she could fully evaluate the level of danger that she now faced.

  “His heart matches his mouth. He cares what happens to you. You’re putting yourself in danger by prosecuting that boy. He’s a college hero.”

  “He’s a filthy animal who viciously attacked a woman, dragged her into the park where you and I used to play, and when she fought back, he beat her beyond recognition. She’s in a coma from which she is not expected to emerge. Don’t give me yet another sanctimonious, good kid, hero line of bull. He’s anything but.”

  “Take a step off your soapbox for a second. He’s from a prominent family. He’s a great athlete and scholar. She’s a nobody with a reputation that stinks.”

  It was the one argument she did not want to hear again. “And of course that gives him the right to treat her like a punching bag.”

  “I didn’t say that. I just know this isn’t your average case. David said he has to practically force you to let him walk you out in the evenings. He’s worried about you, and now, so am I.”

  “Someone left a note on my car. That may be the extent of their scare tactics. I’ll start worrying when the crap visits my house. We’re not even sure it’s related to this case. David should have respected my wishes and kept his mouth shut.”

  “He hasn’t told anyone but me, and I’m glad he did. Stop being so damn independent and admit that you’re fair game for this boy’s friends, family, and all the good folk who call him a college legend in the making. David has done a lot more than you know to protect you.” He smiled. “He’s had a crush on you since junior high. I had to threaten him to keep him away.”

  “Guess I owe you for that. I have to keep reminding him that it’s too late to do anything about that now. I think David was my first big crush.” She shook her head. “He was sweet and fine back then, and he still is. I love him, but even if he were my dream-come-true, I don’t sleep with married men.” She smiled, feeling tingles in sensitive places. “Besides, I’ve got Isaac.”

  “David wanted to make
a move back then and I saw the way you looked at him, but you were just sixteen. I told him if he still wanted to ask you out when you were older, I’d be in his corner. By then he had married a girl who claimed to be carrying his child. Later he heard she had lied and has never forgiven her.”

  “I didn’t know he was hot for me back then. He treated me just like you treated Dee, until she got breasts.” Chelsea smiled, glad the conversation had taken a lighter turn.

  Her brother was not so easily swayed. “I know you can’t discuss details, but how does your case look so far?”

  “That’s not close to being clear. Three reputable people saw Curtis Hamilton with that woman before she was found, unconscious, under a tree. Another man heard screams and was coming to help when this hero ran from the area where she was found.”

  “Who’s defending Hamilton?”

  “Now that’s the part that has me baffled. Not some hotshot defense attorney as everyone expected, but an unlettered brother named Quincy Beckham. He’s been practicing in Baton Rouge until recently. I’ve checked his record and found nothing superior. Nothing that would make him first choice to defend this so called legend.”

  “Any thoughts at all? Like maybe they’re trying to win sympathy by not showcasing with a hotshot attorney?”

  “Those were my exact thoughts.” She grinned and then grimaced. “And right now, my

  only thoughts. Even if his folks couldn’t afford an attorney, I’m sure the school would help out, under the table, of course.”

  Skip said he would do a little background check on Quincy Beckham. Dee joined them just as he started making another plea for Chelsea’s help in getting her attention.

  They talked through dinner and drinks. Dee suggested Calhoun’s, a new club where her cousin worked as a DJ. They were about to leave when excitement swept through the crowd.

  Chelsea turned in the direction of feminine chatter and saw Isaac with three of his teammates, smiling at their fawning public. He spotted her and led the others to her side.

  “Forget dinner!” Mike Scott, the team’s kicker, yelled before wrapping his arms loosely around her shoulders. “I see dessert waiting here in the corner.”

  “I don’t play that shit, man. Take your paws off my woman.” Isaac took her hand and guided her into his arms.

  Chelsea had known him long enough to read his expressions. The one she saw

  mirrored her need. Tension gathered in all the places she wanted him to touch. After a short, probing kiss, Isaac asked Mike to place his order and took Chelsea’s hand.

  “Come on out to the car. I brought you a little trinket back from Houston.”

  Chelsea smiled when he caught her stealing a glance at his zipper, and followed

  him to the parking lot.

  “Don’t worry. That particular trinket is purring in fourth, just waiting to get you in bed.”

  They left through the back door that led to a small parking lot. The parking attendant, a big Saints fan, always found a preferred space for Isaac as close to the door as possible. She waited as Isaac slid into the passenger seat of the black SUV, opened the glove box and held out a blue jewelers’ case.

  “Just a little something for you to wear Sunday night after the game.”

  “And what’s going on Sunday night? Diamond earrings! They’re beautiful.”

  After leaning over for a kiss, she asked again. “What’s happening Sunday night?”

  “One of those political galas. You know how the coach wants us to make our

  presence known.” Still seated, he pulled her close.

  “Isaac,” she protested. “Haven’t I asked you to give me a little lead time on these things? I can’t just snap my fingers and become a glamorous night creature like Cinderella. For all you know I could have other plans for Sunday night. I could have another date.” She smiled shyly. “Or something.”

  He stepped down, lifted her into the seat and kissed her hard while his hands

  traveled under her skirt. When his fingers reached the junctions of her thighs, he sighed and threw his head back. “You don’t have to snap anything, baby. You’re glamorous day and night.

  As far as other dates are concerned, any man foolish enough to date my woman won’t live until Sunday night.”

  His fingers stroked her mound, sending shivers deep inside.

  “I’m glad you’re wearing a skirt. I’ve been thinking of this all week. It’s the only thing that kept me going.” He kissed the side of neck. “My sweet baby.”

  “And I’m dying to get you in my bed, but it really isn’t a good idea to do this

  here.” The heat of his hand created a throbbing sensation that almost stilled her breath. “What if someone sees us?”

  “Unless they come close to this Navigator or have x-ray eyes, the only thing

  they’ll see is you sitting here.” His fingers stroked her lips. “Uh, hot and juicy, just like I like it.

  Honey, and it had better be all mine.”

  “Nobody has been getting any, if that’s what you mean. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be

  horny enough to let you do this.” She knew beyond a doubt that Isaac had turned her out. All inhibitions were gone. Only professional precautions kept her hand from unzipping his fly and enjoying the wonder-maker inside.

  “Good, because I can’t put my mouth where some other dude has been dipping his wick.”

  She drew back to their first weeks together. The anguish had been heavier than anything she had experienced since childhood. She wanted him now, but knew the guard Mama Rose had hired to insure safety in the parking lot would probably come over, camera in hand, to watch the city’s superstar in action.

  He stroked her quivering flesh and she fought the urge to grind her body against his hand.

  When his middle finger slipped into her core, she let out a little gasp and almost fell off the seat.

  “You like that, don’t you baby?”

  “I love it, but not here. Can you see the headlines? ‘Deputy ADA Chelsea

  Constantine—”

  “I get the message.” He released her legs and laid her hand on his rock-solid

  protrusion. After licking her juices from his finger, he declared in a voice reeking of masculine pain. “So sweet. I just had to have a little taste. We’ll save the rest for later.” He shook his head.

  “It’s been difficult, baby.”

  “For me, too.”

  He adjusted his pants around glaring evidence of his need, and took her in his

  arms. “No matter how difficult it gets, I don’t want anyone but you.”

  Chelsea stared in wonder. Each time they were together, she detected more than

  just casual, monogamous sex. The possessiveness in his voice both thrilled and frightened her.

  Did he have those forever feelings for her, and if so, what was he planning to do about it? What should she do about it?

  “Thanks for the earrings.” She watched his face light up when she held the

  earrings to her face. “They’re beautiful. You have excellent taste.”

  “Of course I have excellent taste.” His hand made a small sweep under her blouse

  and gently but firmly rolled her nipple between his fingers. “I chose the most beautiful and desirable woman in New Orleans. You’re very special, baby. I can’t tell you how much I want you right now.”

  “No more than I want you,” she answered before planting a hard kiss on his

  mouth. “Just keep thinking of what will happen when we do get together.”

  They lingered outside until the bulge in his pants deflated. He escorted her back to the table where she proudly showed off her earrings and watched him watching her. There was lust in his eyes but she detected much more. He finished his meal and gently took her in his arms.

  “I have practice at four-thirty in the morning, so I’m going to my place and get some rest.

  After practice, I’m free until Sunday’s game.” He licked his lip
s and whispered. “I want to crawl into that bed of yours and fuck you until you can’t stand it anymore.”

  Drunk on his nearness, she pressed her body against his. “Sorry, baby, you don’t

  have enough free time to make that happen.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Chelsea sat in her car and watched her brother run his game on Dee. She