The one thing I abso-fuckin-lutely knew it wasn't about was me touching Lila Kate. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and cursed. Someone had already woken up and realized I was gone. More than likely it was my dad. He'd probably had another day of early morning golf torture planned for me.
He'd be pissed at first, but when I explained why I came to protect Lila Kate he was either going to understand or be even more pissed. That was a toss-up. I couldn't be sure yet. I didn't fucking care either. I was even gladder I'd woken up and left knowing if I'd stayed I would have had to play golf again today.
We entered Mississippi, and Lila Kate pointed at the sign as if that was exciting. I understood. She traveled via a plane most of the time. She hadn't been to places like Mississippi before. When we got to Biloxi, I headed toward Beauvoir-the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library. It wasn't something I'd seen before or ever cared to see. But I knew Lila Kate liked history stuff. Museums and shit.
We pulled up in front of the large white house that had been restored to what it looked like in 1889 when he had lived in this house. I parked beside the only other car in the parking lot. It was a little after eight in the morning, and the sign said it opened at eight. No one was here yet.
Lila Kate pulled off her helmet and looked up at the place. "What are we doing?"
///
"You ever been to Biloxi?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"Then you should see a bit of it. Where the crazy ass confederates last president lived. There's a confederate cemetery here too."
She slowly moved her gaze from the house to me. "You brought me to see the home of Jefferson Davis?"
Maybe that had been a bad idea. Hell, I thought she liked history stuff. "Don't you like shit like this?"
She studied me a minute, and then she laughed. "Let's go look at the house," she finally said and put her helmet on her seat.
"What's so funny?" I asked her as I got off the bike. I was not going to look at her ass in those jeans. I wasn't. Dammit.
"That you brought me to a Confederate president's home."
"There weren't a lot of options. We are in the thick of the south here, Lila. This is the history they've got to see around here. Besides, it's impressive as hell. Look at it," I said as I gestured at the large building.
She turned back to the house and nodded. "Yes, it is. Let's see the place."
Lila Kate
AFTER SPENDING AN hour walking around the house and cemetery, Cruz then took me to eat breakfast at a casino. It was really good which surprised me. When we were walking back out to Cruz's bike, he glanced over at me. "So now you've seen some of Mississippi."
This behavior was so unlike the Cruz that I knew I had smiled big. Once Cruz had been nice. When we were kids I'd seen this side of him, but not since then. Seeing it again was . . . it was . . . dangerous. I had to remember who he was and keep my head straight.
The rest of the ride was fast. We entered Louisiana shortly after leaving Biloxi. At a red light, Cruz looked over his shoulder at me. "You want safe and fancy or do you want the atmosphere?"
"Atmosphere," I yelled through my helmet and over the engine.
"Good," he replied then took off toward a very scenic area that didn't smell that great, but it was exactly like I pictured. Considering I was recognizing things from The Originals that I was guilty of watching on a Netflix binge. I started to point something out but stopped myself. Cruz would have a blast making fun of me.
He pulled into a parking deck and cut the engine. I took off my helmet and looked around. "Where are we?"
"Hotel parking."
I didn't see a hotel. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. Been here before. A couple of times."
"Why were you in New Orleans?" I asked.
He smirked at me. "Mardi Gras."
Ah. I should have guessed. "This won't be nearly as exciting as I had imagined."
He got of the bike. "There won't be women showing me their tits all over the street. So yeah, it'll be less exciting."
I rolled my eyes and got off the bike. "I have nothing with me. I need to find a store to buy some toiletries, and a change of clothes would be nice."
"Let's get a room, then we can go shopping."
"Rooms," I corrected him.
He cocked an eyebrow. "Seriously? We're gonna waste money on two rooms?"
I nodded. "Yes, we seriously are."
"Jesus, Lila Kate. I'm not going to try and screw you. I've never tried and I'm not about to start now."