Page 58 of Scout’s Honor

Several hours later, Bonhi walked hand in hand with Dallas toward the Tremé district. He’d woken up on his own after three hours of sleep, saying it was a habit from the military. He’d cleaned up and eaten, and then they’d gone out to check on Mama Soline.

As soon as they turned on the street, they could tell something was going on at her shop—she had a line two blocks long out front. Bonhi and Dallas walked on the other side of the street until they drew close enough to see her at a table in front of her door, reading a woman’s palm. Bonhi felt her golden eyes following them, even as she dismissed the woman and admitted the next in line.

Dallas pointed out a street musician on their side of the street and they meandered toward him. He was tall, lanky, and dark-skinned with neat, short cornrows, playing the guitar, his case spread out in front of him.

“He’s a shifter,” Dallas said. “A wolf.”

“Is he watching Mama Soline?”

“Seems like it.” Dallas pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked messages, then said, “Yeah. Aven said he found someone with good references who will check on her once a day and report directly to Aven if anything seems off.”

The man’s dark eyes fell on them, and he chose a new song, strumming some chords, then he winked at them and sang, “Every move you make, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.”

Dallas nodded at him and pulled out his wallet. “Thanks, man.” He placed several large bills into the case.

Bonhi clutched at her purse, saying. “Thank you so much!” She emptied all her cash into the guitar case. He nodded at her and kept singing, turning his gaze to Mama Soline.

Dallas took her hand and Bonhi smiled at him. She felt good about the guitar player watching over Mama Soline. He looked local, strong, and honest.

They walked on, turning onto another street, wandering.

After a few moments, Dallas said, “I have a surprise for you.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Tell me.”

“It’s somewhere I want to take you. Have you ever heard of the Garden District?”

“Yeah, I’m reading a series that’s centered there.”

“Mayfair Witches?” he asked with a mischievous grin.

“You saw my books.”

“I did,” he said, flagging down a passing taxi. “And I knew Anne Rice was from New Orleans and wrote about New Orleans, so I checked it out and found you can walk right past her house, and the house from the movie, and the house from the books.”

“Fun!” Bonhi said.

They got in and he told the driver to take them to Prytania Street.

Bonhi snuggled next to Dallas, thanking Fate, destiny, and maybe even that sweaty kidnapper guy for bringing Dallas into her life.

29—Forever.

A few hours later, they returned to the hotel room, still hand in hand. Dallas held a bag of Anne Rice books he’d bought Bonhi at the end of the tour, which had gone fabulously. Bonhi had loved it, and Dallas had enjoyed watching Bonhi love it. They’d eaten an early dinner and were planning on staying in for the rest of the night.

From the way Bonhi’d been looking at him all afternoon, Dallas knew what was on her mind for the evening. He looked forward to it, knowing no matter what, sweet Bonhi Bonbon would get her pleasure, as much as he could dish out.

“I’m going to take a shower,” Bonhi said, holding his hand and looking up at him. “Maybe you want to nap?”

At her suggestion, the tiredness that Dallas had been holding at bay all day crashed in on him. He kissed her on her perfect lips and headed for the bed to take off his shoe… and his leg for the first time in front of Bonhi.

He was too tired to be self-conscious. He sat and stripped everything off, then rolled on the blanket, pulling it over himself like a burrito. Bonhi came to the side and laid next to him, rubbing his thigh on his bad leg, instantly soothing the irritation from all the walking they’d done. He wanted to kiss her, but his eyes slid closed so easily…

…

Dallas woke with a start. He checked the time, realizing he’d slept for two hours. Bonhi sat on the couch, her hair loose, watching a movie with the sound low. Her laptop sat open near her.

Dallas got up stealthily, moving toward the bathroom in an animal crawl, using one leg, one stump, and both hands. He grabbed both of his prostheses while making no noise, then stood on one leg and pulled himself into the bathroom. “Shower,” he said softly, then shut the door.