“You’re the one who said she’d leave.” Just the thought of Bijou leaving him, let alone saying the words aloud, sent a stabbing pain through the region of his heart. He knew his brother was teasing him, probably crowing because Remy had always attracted women easily and Bijou wasn’t quite the easy conquest he’d expected. More, he hadn’t expected to be consumed by her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was there with every breath he drew and the moment he scented lavender, his body reacted with urgent, hot demand.

“Her leopard won’ let her run too far and you know it. She might try, and if she’s smart, she’ll definitely give you a run for your money . . .”

“That’s it. You’re about to go the hospital and have a bullet dug out of your ass.”

Gage burst out laughing. “You’re plannin’ on shooting me in the butt?”

“Well, it’s the only safe place, and it might be a bit embarrassin’ if you get a cute nurse, which, for the record, would be an added bonus.”

“I did say you were about the meanest man alive,” Gage pointed out.

Remy tried a blacker scowl to intimidate his younger brother. Ever since Bijou had come back home, Gage had been having way too much fun tweaking him.

“Just get the boys to the Inn fast,” Remy said. Otherwise, there would be no keeping his mind on interrogating the Rousseau brothers or Bijou’s manager and his assistant. He had to put her out of his mind and tell himself she was perfectly safe with Saria and his brothers.

She seemed so fragile to him. Saria was small, but she could take care of herself in any situation. Bijou needed . . . care. He just had to convince her that she did.

He drove back to the station house, refusing to give in to the temptation to call Bijou just to hear her voice and know she was all right. And he absolutely refused to believe he needed to hear her voice. It was just that with Robert going to the Inn, she might be scared and needing to hear his voice. He should probably call her to reassure her that his brothers were on the way. She’d feel much safer and calmer knowing he was thinking of her and making certain his brothers would protect her while he had to be away from her.