“Blue, we need to put a ring on that finger soon.” Remy made it a statement. A blue stone. Sapphire or blue diamond. He had plenty of money saved. He could spend it on a suitable ring for her.

Her blush deepened. “I thought the subject was what your brother was doin’, not us.”

He grinned at her and held out a fork. “Just in case you’re pregnant and eatin’ for two. And just so you know, you’re always on my mind.”

She took the proffered fork, more, he was certain, to get the attention off of her, than to eat much. Gage didn’t help by grinning from ear to ear like a baboon. Even Saria smirked a little behind her hand.

“Keep it up, Gage,” Bijou hissed between her teeth. “You’re close enough that I could get you with this fork.”

“I’m not laughin’ at you, Bijou. It’s just that my brother has it so bad. He’s like a crazy man right now, and it’s just really fun for me. Not to mention, when he’s bossin’ you, he forgets all about bossin’ the rest of us.”

Remy chose dignity. It was the only course of action when his brother might be stating a fact. He scooped up a couple of couche-couche, a Cajun-style fried cornmeal mush that Saria always made to his liking, and ignored Gage altogether.

“So where exactly is Dash at the present time?” Remy asked his sister after downing more trout. “Is he watching over you while Drake is gone?”

“Sort of,” Saria sounded a bit mischievous.

Remy sat up very straight. “Did Drake leave him behind to guard me?”

Saria nodded, the amusement fading from her dark eyes. “He’s worried the Rousseau brothers will come after you and Gage, and, Remy, before you explode, it makes sense. You and Gage are relentless when you’re trackin’ someone. Everyone knows that. You’re the ones who ruined things for them. They think they’re unbelievably clever, and they believed they were invincible, that no one would dare testify against them. The two of you brought them down and they aren’t the type to go quietly into the night.”

Bijou made a small sound of distress and leaned toward him. “I told you.”

Remy reached out and took her hand, bringing it under the table onto his thigh. His thumb slid back and forth in a soothing caress. He didn’t need her upset or worried about him. He thought he’d dodged the bullet when he’d thrown her off with his assurances earlier.

“Did you tell Drake that?” Remy asked. His sister had always been intelligent and she thought like a lawman.

“I may have started the conversation,” Saria said, unrepentant.

Bijou caught Remy’s hand beneath the table to still his fingers. He could feel the slight tremble, but when he looked at her, she had her chin up.