His heart did some strange nonsensical bullshit that alarmed him. Maybe it was time for a checkup. Worse, that sultry, bluesy tone got under his skin and sent an electrical charge snaking through his bloodstream.

“Are you all right?”

“I was until your brothers showed up. They’re all starin’ at me and grinnin’ like idiots.”

The laughter in her voice sent a shaft of relief spiraling through him. “Don’ feel alone, they’ve taken to doin’ the very same thing to me,” he admitted. “Robert didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No, of course not.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be there to get him the hell out of there.”

“I think what you’re doin’ is far more important than bein’ here at the moment. I’m sure your brothers will insist he go if he makes any threats.” There was a small silence and then she made a small sound. “Um, Remy . . .” She broke off, hesitant, and her voice had dropped nearly to a whisper.

He liked that she was connecting them intimately whether she knew it or not. “What is it, Blue?” he prompted.

“When Robert came in, I felt her. You know. Her. It was a little disconcertin’.”

He stopped himself from grinding his teeth. “Did your leopard act happy to see him? Did you get that feelin’?” He was killing Robert Lanoux if her leopard dared to even entertain the notion of accepting the idiot. He couldn’t imagine it. She’d mated with his leopard, but Bijou was so confused, maybe her leopard was as well.

“No, she was definitely not happy. And I found myself fightin’ to maintain. Is that normal? Quite frankly, I felt a little scared that I might not be able to control her. I don’ think anyone noticed.”

“That’s good, chere, and very normal.” He tried to keep the relief out of his voice and stay neutral and informative, as matter-of-fact as possible. Deep inside he was rejoicing. “Your leopard is mated to mine and she won’ tolerate any other male interested in her. I know I’ve got a lot more to explain to you, but just so this makes sense, we find our mates over and over from one life to the next. At least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Our leopards recognize one another, even if it’s the first cycle of life. I promise we’ll discuss more when I get there.”

He glanced at his watch. “Unfortunately, I don’ know how long this will take, but when Drake gets close, he’ll give me a call. I’ll have to come there to talk with Robert and Dion.”

“Remy,” she whispered. “You wouldn’t really kill him, would you? He keeps actin’ like you want to kill him.”