Page 33 of Phantom

It’s on the tip of my tongue to answer him, to try to appease his anger, but I don’t want to get Jaime in trouble if Jacques’s employment was some kind of secret. “That’s just what I gathered from last night. You know, since we found out he committed—”

“It wasn’t suicide,” Rand spits back. “The Bordeauxs were behind it.”

I dart my gaze around to make sure no one’s listening before I whisper. “You think the Bordeauxs…murderedJacques?”

“I do. And now one of my men has gone AWOL. It’s why I’m in the French Quarter today.”

“AWOL?” My brow furrows as I try to keep up with all the accusations and information. “As in, he’s a missing person?”

Rand sucks his teeth and nods. “Yup. I met with some of my contacts earlier today to try to find him, but I can’t. I’m afraid he might be in trouble, what with him being on the Bordeaux side of New Orleans and all.”

“I’m sorry, Jaime’s already scolded me for being so out of the loop. But what do you mean by the Bordeaux side?”

He narrows his eyes. “The Bordeauxs think they run this town, but they’re sorely mistaken. Like I said last night, they’re thugs, Scarlett. And dangerous. They hurt and harass innocent people in the French Quarter all the time. I’m just hoping my man didn’t get caught up in their criminal exploits.”

My eyes widen. “That’s so scary. Are you going to call the police?”

He shakes his head. “They’re in the Bordeaux’s pocket. If I can’t find him myself, there’s nothing I can do.”

I’m touched, but also a little surprised that he’s confiding in me. I can’t help but want to comfort my friend. “Rand, I’m so sorry. Is there anythingIcan help with?”

A small smile curves his lips again. “You’re a good distraction, Lettie. If you want to help me, I think we should go on another date.”

Rand’s timing is impeccable as I take a final bite of beignet. Powdered sweetness goes down the wrong pipe and I cough, sputtering up more fine sugar with each hack.

“Jesus.” He gets up to slap my back and I try my best not to squirm away from his touch while focusing on not dying. “Here.”

He hands me my unsugared coffee. I take a few sips of the bitter drink, making a face as I try to stop choking.

Finally, I settle down and he kneads my shoulders once before moving his seatrightbeside me, thigh to thigh.

I wish I’d just choked.

Suicidal ideations? Or just a horrible first “date?”

Oh my God, brain, just shut the fuck up. I don’t need this right now.

“You okay? You’ve always been a messy eater, wolfing down your food like an animal.” He laughs at my expense.

“I’m okay,” I answer, not having the energy to stick up for myself.

Do I ever?

My mind pauses at the thought, but I tune back into Rand’s weird version of… flirting, I guess.

“Next time we go on a date, I’ll choose something healthier and less messy, and fancier obviously. There’s a great sushi place on my side of town.”

Sushi… I like sushi but with all of the eclectic food New Orleans has to offer, sushi’s not usually my go-to. Then my mind snaps out of it to argue therealproblem here.

“Rand, did you think this was a date?”

He stops short and Iswearhe’s trying not to glare at me.

“Did you… not? I thought it was pretty obvious, since I paid for everything. Why else would I invite you?”

I jerk back. “Um… because we’refriendsand you wanted to catch up?” I can’t hide the edge of disappointment in my voice. I’d been looking forward to just that and he’s ruined it by trying to make it more.

Rand’s eyes narrow before he clears his throat again and concern plasters his face. “Are you feeling okay, Little Lettie? You seem like you got mad all of a sudden. I hate to ask, but did you take your medication today?”