“He really tore up your apartment,” Gage said. “I don’ think there’s anythin’ left.”

“I don’ keep anythin’ of value here,” Remy replied and took a long, slow look around the sitting room of his apartment.

Everything was smashed. His end tables, his lamps. The television set that had been on the wall was shattered, leaving a huge hole in the Sheetrock. The couch and recliner cushions were slashed and the stuffing torn out.

“I’d say he was in a rage,” Gage said. He glanced at his brother. “What did you do?”

Remy shrugged. “I kissed a girl.”

“I hope she was worth it,” Gage said, and stepped back, closer to his brother in order to peer into the bedroom.

Remy knew the exact moment Gage inhaled and caught his scent. His head swung around, eyes wide with shock.

“What the hell have you done, Remy?” he asked, swinging around to fully face his brother. “You have Bijou’s scent all over you. There’s no mistakin’ . . .” He trailed off, suddenly catching that other much more elusive scent shadowing Bijou’s. He inhaled sharply. “She’s . . .”

Remy nodded. “Leopard. Mine.” He made that very clear. “This bastard has been stalkin’ her. He’s not going to get away with it.”

Gage held up his hand, shaking his head. “Wait a minute. I need a moment here. You claimed Bijou Breaux? The multimillionaire, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, daughter of a legend? Are you out of your mind?”

“I’ve been asked that more than once, and watch your mouth.” Remy shrugged lightly, but his hands closed into fists, the ache in his knuckles telling him his leopard was close.

“Get real, Remy. She’s slummin’, comin’ back to New Orleans. You think she’s a hometown girl? She’s never been one of us. She’s elegant and stylish and she’s restless as hell. She’s used to livin’ a lifestyle on red carpets with jet-setters and private jets. We don’ belong there and never have. She’s come here on a whim, putting her club together and her cutesy little apartment.” Gage laid a hand on his brother’s arm. “She’s goin’ to rip your heart apart. She’ll never stay.”

“Watch what you say, Gage. She’s my mate. No one’s goin’ to take her away from me. And I’m not goin’ to let anyone, including my brother, make her life miserable. She’ll stay. She belongs with me whether she knows it or not.” His voice was resolute. Implacable. Bijou might try to run, but she wouldn’t get far.