Free Rose, Charlotte - Bayou Famine [Shifters of Alligator Bend 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Charlotte Rose Page A

Nelson said, giving her a kiss on the forehead. “But Armand is right. Now ain’t a good time to leave the congregation, especially overnight.”
    “What could possibly happen if we leave for a night?” Narcisse tried to keep her tone calm, but couldn’t help feeling frustrated by their resistance. “It’s not like you go fishing late at night. And even if you did, it’s not like there are any fish to catch.”
    “But what if somethin’ happens with Pomet?” Armand asked.
    “What could happen at night?”
    “Baby, we hear what you’re sayin’,” Nelson said, taking her hand. “We just really need to be here for the congregation right now. I promise, soon as this all gets worked out, we’ll take out for a night you’ll never forget. Okay?”
    “I know it’s tough,” Armand said, walking up to embrace her. “But just be patient a while longer. It’ll all get figured out.”
    “Okay,” Narcisse said, forcing herself to steady her voice.
    Armand smiled and gave her a kiss. “We gotta get out and help Gabriel with some mechanical work, since it don’t look like we’re gonna get any more fish today.”
    “We’ll probably work until supper,” Nelson said, rubbing on her shoulders. “We’ll see you then.”
    “Yeah, see you then. Have fun and be careful.”
    As soon as they had gone back out, Narcisse hurried back to Armand’s room so she could cry and let out her frustration in peace.
    It’s not even my own damn room. I don’t have my own space anywhere. I don’t have any true privacy .
    Narcisse tried to shake the thoughts from her mind. She knew she needed to find a way to distract herself through the long afternoon. Although she easily thought of three books she wanted to read, she realized that, of course, none of them were on the boat with her. Instead, they were all back at her Texas apartment. She leaned against the wall, trying to contain her frustration.
    I don’t even have my own stuff. It’s all back in Houston still. I have absolutely nothing. I can’t believe I gave up my whole life for this.
    Narcisse sat down on the bed and stared at the walls. Then she closed her eyes and felt the gentle rocking of the boat back and forth on the water. After a few deep breaths, she made up her mind. She snapped her eyes open and began to hurry.
    First, went to the small desk, pulled out a piece of paper, scrawled out a note, and then deposited it on the bed. Then, she found her purse and pulled out her wallet. Flipping it open, she discovered she only had seventy-five dollars in cash.
    At least I have my credit card. Although it’s almost maxed out. Shit. Whatever I have left probably isn’t going to get me all that far.
    Taking one last look around the room, she put a change of clothes into her purse, leaving the rest of the suitcase behind. She didn’t want to be encumbered if she was going to be walking. Then she picked up the spare keys to Armand’s boat. For a moment, she felt too guilty to go through with it and set them back down on the dresser. But she knew that without his boat, she would never be able to get out of the swamp. She snatched them back up and stuffed them in her pocket, as though they might escape if she didn’t act quickly.
    Narcisse opened the bedroom door slowly and poked her head out to ensure that the hallway was empty. She paused, debating whether to take the front or the back entrance. Rather than venturing out and taking the risk, she went back into the bedroom, shut the door, and crawled out the window onto the deck.
    Armand’s room was situated close to the area where they docked the smaller boats. Narcisse quickly sought out his boat and slipped into it, all the while making sure that nobody was around to catch her in the act.
    Settling herself in, Narcisse took a deep breath. It had been a long time since she’d piloted a boat. She hoped it was like riding a bike.
    Sticking the key into the ignition, she caught her breath when the vessel rumbled to