Free [Bayou Gavotte 03.0] Heart of Constantine by Barbara Monajem

and dropped it into her pocket. “Please don’t tell anyone about it. I had Lavonia check me, and I wasn’t raped, so it’s okay.”
    “It’s not okay.” Al frowned at her, then put up his hands in a typical male gesture. “However, what you do about it is your business. The one small mercy is that the media don’t have your name. So far you’re just his mysterious new love—though why they insist on calling the unfortunate participant in every celebrity’s latest sexual exploit their ‘love’ is beyond me—but somebody’s sure to recognize you and let them know.”
    Marguerite shuddered. “But when they realize I’m not having a relationship with him, it’ll blow over.” She hoped.
    “I’m glad to hear that,” Al said. “Even though we’re in Bayou Gavotte, it doesn’t exactly enhance the dignity of Hellebore University.” He made a face as she handed the book to the cashier. “You’re actually
buying
that trash?”
    She bristled. “Why not? Now that I’ve met him, I’d like to learn more about him.” She exchanged grins with the cashier.
    “What a waste of money,” Al tsked. “Be a fan if you must, but don’t forget that the man’s not safe.”
    “Don’t be a mother hen, Al. I get enough of that from Lavonia.” Time to change the subject. “Does Zeb have a job at the moment? I need someone to mow my lawn.”
    “No, he lost his last job and failed a drug test at the next place he applied,” Al said, his tone morphing from concern to exasperation. “His grades last year were terrible, and hisFrench is so abysmal that I had to hire that little goth girl, Juma, to tutor him. To top it off, I just got a call from Myra at the mounds. She caught him running there this morning, for which I would ground him if there was the least likelihood he would obey me. He got into a bar brawl a few days ago. With my luck, he’ll get caught in one of the clubs next. He’s completely out of control.” He closed his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “At least his poor mother isn’t here to see it.”
    “At heart, he’s a good kid,” Marguerite said. “I know it’s hard being a single parent, but he’ll turn out fine. You’ll see.”
    “I wish I could be so sure.” Al shook his head wearily.
    “He won’t come to harm mowing my lawn.” Marguerite signed the charge slip and picked up the book and her coffee. “I’d be happy to pay him to weed the garden and trim the hedges, too. Pauline used to do all that.”
    “I’ll mention it to him, but I can’t promise anything.” They made their way toward the door. “From what Myra said, he went berserk and attacked Roy Lutsky right in front of her, Lavonia, Eaton Wilson, and Dufray.” He blew out an exasperated sigh. “Lavonia told me much the same story, but she says Lutsky started it. Typically softhearted of her to stick up for Zeb, but I’ll be fortunate if Lutsky doesn’t charge him with assault.” Another sigh—this one even more irate than the last. “And if that wasn’t bad enough, next he went waltzing off with Dufray.”
    A chill shimmied down her spine. “Zeb went someplace with
Constantine
? Why?” Now Al’s annoyance made more sense.
    “Because Dufray crooked his little finger,” Al said explosively. “I don’t know what to do about that boy, Marguerite. He’s developed a violent temper since his mother died. If he gets under the influence of a vigilante like Dufray, anything could happen.”
    Right. Anything at all.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Y ou didn’t argue with Constantine Dufray, Zeb told himself. If he hadn’t been so mad at Lutsky, he would have laughed at the others: Myra glaring but throwing up her hands, Professor Wilson dithering and apologizing to everyone on Zeb’s behalf, and Lavonia gawping at Constantine—for once at a loss for words.
    Zeb avoided looking at Lutsky, who was still struggling to stand, because he would only want to deck him again. Instead, he obeyed orders and retrieved the