Easy Nights (Boudreaux #6)

“Ben.” I narrow my eyes. “I’m not staying out here by myself. That’s how horror movies start, and I will not have it.”

“Right.” He sighs and pulls out his phone. “Eli? Yeah. I need you at my house now.” He listens and then nods. “Thanks.”

“Why did you call Eli and not the cops?”

“Because I don’t know that this is a break in. And if you won’t stay out here by yourself, Eli will wait with you.”

“I can go in. I’m perfectly capable of kicking ass.”

“No.” He backs me up against a pillar on the porch. “You are everything, Van. I’m not taking you anywhere that could be dangerous. Now damn it, you’re going to wait out here with Eli while I figure out what the fuck is going on.”

I can only watch his face, his hair a riot in the wind. “Okay.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For curbing your stubborn side.”

We’re both quiet as we wait, listening for any sound from inside, but everything is still.

“You’re sure you locked the door?”

“I swear—”

Suddenly, there’s an explosion at the side of the house; sparks fly everywhere.

“Mother fucker.”





Chapter Fourteen


Savannah

Eli pulls in the driveway just after the explosion that just about gave me a heart attack.

“What in the hell is up with today?” I demand, as Eli comes running up to join us.

“What was that?” Eli asks with a scowl. “Van, go get in my car.”

“Fuck that,” I reply and run after them as they hurry around the side of the house. “I’m not a damsel in distress.”

“Jesus, she’s stubborn,” Eli says. “Looks like the wind blew your transformer.”

“It’s been a shit day,” Ben answers and rubs his hands over his face. “I need to go check out the inside of the house. The door was open when we got back from dinner.”

Eli scowls. “It’s not like you to leave your house unlocked.”

“I pulled the door closed behind us when we left,” I add. “And I know, without a doubt, that I locked it. It’s habit.”

“I’m not saying you didn’t,” Ben replies and kisses my forehead. “Which is why I don’t want you going in there until I’ve had a look first.”

“Good idea,” Eli says.

“Fine,” I reply, resigned. “I’ll stay out here like a weak person who hasn’t been training to kick ass for the past two years.”

“You’re the only person I know who would complain because I’m trying to keep you out of harm’s way.” Ben shoves his fingers through his hair as we walk to the front of the house. “Just give me ten minutes.”

“We’re good,” Eli says with a nod. “And I’ll call 911 if I see or hear anything suspicious.”

Ben nods and goes into the house, turning on the flashlight on his phone, since there’s no power thanks to the transformer blowing out.

“I don’t like being treated like I’m weak,” I mumble to Eli who just busts up laughing.

“Do you think that’s what he’s doing?”

“Well, yeah. I can kick ass too.”

“Of course you can. But he loves you, Van. I wouldn’t let Kate go in there either. Call us old fashioned, but it’s our job to keep our women safe, and by God, that’s what he’s doing.”

“Why do you have to make sense?” I demand, my irritation disappearing.

“Because I’m your big brother. I know everything.”

“Whoa, that escalated quickly,” I reply, making him laugh.

“It’s all clear,” Ben says as he walks outside. “It must have been the wind. I know you locked it and closed it, but maybe it didn’t latch right and the wind blew it open.”

“Could be,” Eli says. “Your porch is deep enough, and there are trees out front, so it’s doubtful that anyone from the street would have seen it. Especially in the dark.”

Ben nods and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“I guess we’re spending the weekend at my house,” I say with a grin.

“I guess so,” Ben replies. “I’ll run in and grab your bag.”

“Leave it,” I say, waving him off. “I’ll need those things here anyway.”

“Wait. Are you moving in together?” Eli asks.

Ben laughs and I just shrug. “No one said that. But we’re together most nights, Eli.”

“Yeah, okay,” Eli says, not at all impressed. “I’m going home.”

We wave him off and climb into my car.

“I’ll call the electrician and power company in the morning,” Ben says. “It’s been a hell of a day.”

“It has,” I agree and take his hand in mine, linking our fingers. “Let’s just hibernate at my place this weekend. We can order pizza and Chinese and watch movies. Make love. Just chill.”

“Best weekend plans I’ve ever heard.” He kisses my hand. “I think it’s important for you to be naked during most of it.”

“If I have to be naked, so do you.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t expect you to be naked alone. There’s no fun in that.”

***

“Best weekend ever,” I say to Charly. I’m on the phone with her Monday afternoon as I get ready to go to class. “We didn’t even leave my house.”

“I love those weekends,” Charly says. “I’m happy that things are going well.”

“Is it possible that they could be going too well?” I ask, pausing as I reach for my gym clothes. “I mean, it’s happening fast, and he’s wonderful and loving.”

“When you know it’s right, you just know,” she says. “I don’t think time has too much to do with it. You’ve been in love with him half of your life.”

“True. And it’s Ben. It’s not like I just met him a month ago. I’ve known him forever.”

“Exactly,” she says. “Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy it.”

“Good advice,” I reply and then hold the phone away from my ear as I pull my shirt over my head. “Lena will be here in a few minutes. She’s going with me today.”

“Cool. Have fun.”

“Talk to you later.” I end the call and throw a change of clothes into my gym bag, reach for my shoes and turn to the vanity to grab a hair tie, and then I simply freeze.

“What the fuck?” I take a deep breath and stare at the brand new bottle of Chanel No. 5 sitting on my vanity. I certainly didn’t put it there. In fact, this morning the new bottle I bought of my favorite perfume was sitting in that exact spot. “Oh my God.”

“Van?” Lena calls from downstairs. “I don’t want to startle you! Your door was unlocked so I just came in!”

“In my bedroom!” I call back, my eyes still pinned to the bottle. Lena walks in, looking all cute and sporty in her workout attire.

“What’s up?” she says and then frowns. “Your eyes are glassy and I’m getting a spooked out vibe from you.”

“More than spooked,” I reply, feeling sweat form on my upper lip. “Look.”

She follows my finger to the perfume and frowns. “Okay.”

“I don’t wear that,” I reply. “Ever. Lance made me wear it every fucking day of our marriage and I hate it. I didn’t put it there.”

Lena frowns and then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I’m not as strong psychically as Mallory, but I don’t feel an evil or malicious presence here, Van. Maybe your cleaning lady found it and put it there?”

I frown and shake my head. “Well, she was here today, but I threw it all out as I unpacked the boxes after the move. I don’t know where she could have found it.”