Bayou Justice by Robin Caroll

kicked on now that the band had finished its last set. A modern, jazzy tune blasted from the speakers. Laughter periodically burst over the music.
    â€œHere ya go.”
    Luc swiveled around and grabbed the glass. “Merci.” The cold carbonated drink slid down, quenching his parched throat.
    A buxom blonde in a red dress cut up to here and down to there sashayed to the bar and sidled beside him. “You blow that sax very well.” Her voice came out thick and hoarse, indicative of years spent smoking.
    â€œMerci.” Luc took another gulp of the drink. Ice clanked against his front teeth.
    â€œIt’s been some time since I’ve seen you here.” She ran a bloodred fingernail down his plain T-shirt. “Where’ve you been hiding?”
    That parched feeling returned, despite the empty glass he held in his hand. His biceps jumped as if they had a mind of their own. “Just been busy, Sadie.”
    â€œToo busy for me?” Suggestiveness oozed from her every pore as she leaned closer, her bare shoulder grazing the side of his arm.
    He jerked back as Mike tapped the bar. “Need another cola, Luc?”
    He slid the glass to the bartender. “Please.”
    â€œSo, how’ve you been?” Sadie never did know when she fought a losing battle.
    â€œFine. You?” Luc took the glass from Mike and nodded his thanks before taking a sip. He made sure he rested his elbow closest to her on the bar. Lord, make my actions honor You.
    â€œMissing you.”
    â€œYou know, Sadie,” a distinctly familiar voice said from over his shoulder, “most cats don’t stay in heat permanently.”
    Luc spun around to face Tara LeBlanc. Hardly an angel sent to save him, but save him she had. Disdain dug deep into her delicate features. He swallowed. She looked so much like CoCo, his heart ached. Same dark eyes, although CoCo’s tilted up more in the corners, like a cat’s. The hair was the same dark color. While Tara’s was board straight, CoCo’s curled in long ringlets down her back. The memory of their silky feel caused Luc to clench his fists.
    â€œLittle Tara LeBlanc. Don’t you have to be of age to get in here?” Sadie’s throaty purr now came out like a growl.
    â€œDon’t play with me, Sadie. I haven’t the time or the inclination to go slumming tonight, but I will if you insist.” Tara cut her eyes to Luc’s face. “Glad to see you’re at home, waiting for my sister to call you back.”
    He swallowed again. “Just played a little music, Tara.” How did this much younger girl make him feel like a scolded boy?
    She arched a single brow. “Oh, I can plainly see you’re playing, Luc.”
    CoCo had taught her well. Her claws were out and they were sharp.
    â€œIsn’t it past your bedtime?” Sadie asked.
    Tara’s icy stare froze the other woman’s fingertips on his
    shoulder. “If you know what’s good for you, Sadie, you’ll just push off.”
    Now it was Sadie’s turn to swallow hard. Hard enough that Luc heard it over the drone of the music. Finally she let out an exaggerated sigh and tapped his shoulder again. “I guess you need to babysit, Luc. Some other time, maybe?” Without waiting for a reply, Sadie popped on her tiptoes, planted a wet kiss against his lips, then turned and hustled away.
    Luc wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and focused his full attention on Tara. While grateful for her intervention, he knew that expression. “What’s bugging you, Tara?”
    She popped her hands on her hips, once again reminding him of CoCo. “I just find it amusing that you try to weasel your way back into my sister’s life, and then I find you out in a bar, hanging with sleaze.”
    â€œI’d just finished playing and came for a soda. Sadie stopped by to say hello.” He downed his drink and set the glass on the