Sarah Noffke - The Passionate Delegate (Unstoppable Liv Beaufont Book 9)

This book is a work of fiction.

For Trudy.

The first day we met, you called me a tiger.

Still my favorite college class ever. And the one that flamed my fire for writing.

Sarah

To Family, Friends and

Those Who Love

to Read.

May We All Enjoy Grace

to Live the Life We Are

Called.

Michael

T he stench inside the old gas station was almost worse than the smell of rotting catfish and mildew out front. The sign for Jebs Trading Post had fallen into disrepair ages ago, by the looks of it. Thankfully Kayla Sinclair had other ways of locating the rusty filling station. The person shed spoken to had said there would be a red swivel chair out front with profanities written on the material. The people in the South used strange landmarks, shed found in her travels.

Kayla kicked the chair over with her combat boot before entering the gas station, irritated by the long day of travel and humid weather in the backwoods outside New Orleans.

The bathrooms are out back, darling, the pot-bellied man said from behind the counter, not looking up from his crossword puzzle.

I know that already, Kayla answered, having checked out the property entirely before entering. The disgusting outhouse in the back shouldnt really be considered a proper place to relieve oneself, just like the one-legged rooster that was hopping around outside shouldnt really be considered a prized fighting cock.

The man behind the counter glanced up, obviously not used to young women frequenting his establishment. She guessed he only got smelly old fisherman and lost tourists. His aged eyes widened at the sight of her. It probably wasnt her modern hairstyle that gave him pause. Kayla wore her hair short and spikey on one side of her head and long on the other. The black mini skirt and tank top might have been what got his attention, but she doubted it.

Youreyou one of those really white people, the hick exclaimed.

Kayla released a deep breath and raised her hands, about to lay them on the sticky counter separating them. Then she thought better of it and kept her hands by her sides.

Albino, she supplied.

He chuckled and slid his pencil behind his ear. Well, Ill be. Ive never seen one of you before. Heard about you folks, though. Are you looking for the sunscreen? He glanced around, his brow furrowed. I aint restocked that in some time. You might try the Walmart back twenty miles from here.

Kayla shook her head, trying to keep her temper quelled. Talon Sinclair had told her what to do and ordered her not to draw much attention to herself. That was never easy. Everyone always remembered her, either because of how she looked or what she made them see.

Are you Jeb Navarro? she asked the man.

He smiled, sticking his hands into the pockets of his overalls. That would be me, darling. What can I do you for?

Im looking for Zeno Dutillet, she said, enjoying the way the Cajun French name rolled off her tongue.

The man started as if hed suddenly been pushed. Howd you hear about him? Aint no one asked about him in some time.

I heard he was here, she said plainly.

The door shed come through swung open, the bell attached to it chiming like it was suddenly angry. Kayla kept her eyes on the old man even as the hot wind from outside rushed through the small store.

Hes in the back, the clerk said, indicating with his head. But no ones come around for him inwell, ever.

I need to wake him, Kayla said, stepping to the side and leaning around to look in the back. There wasnt much there. A small room for restocking. Maybe a closet or two.

Jeb shook his head furiously. Oh, no. You cant do that. Zeno Dutillet has been asleep forwell, all my life. My daddys life too. My kinsfolk have been charged with keeping him that way.

Yes, the Navarro family. Theyd been doing their job well for quite some time, but that was all about to change.

Your job is done, Kayla said, making for the back.

Jeb stepped in front of her, halting her progress. Im sorry, maam, but I cant allow you to do that. I dont know what happens when Zeno Dutillet is stirred, but I aint going to risk it.

She batted her white eyelashes at him. Oh, its nothing. Just blissful sleep. Youll love it.

He shook his head more forcefully this time. Nah. Ive been told that if anyone ever came trying to wake Zeno Dutillet, I had to do everything in my power to stop them.

The portly man was surprisingly fast for his size, reaching for something on the shelf on the side of the wall. In a flash, he was aiming a shotgun straight at Kaylas face.

She sighed, realizing she might have to actually get her hands dirty for this one.

I dont want any trouble, the man said. Just walk back out the way you came in, and we can forget about this.

Kayla held her hands up as if in surrender, but really it was only so she was ready to attack. The thing is that I cant forget about Zeno Dutillet or why Ive come to wake him. I have my orders.

And I have mine, the redneck said, narrowing his eyes at her.

Then we will do this the hard way, she said and flicked her hand ever so slightly. The man flew backward, knocking into a shelf full of bait. A loud crack was followed by him sliding to the floor and the shelves overhead breaking. Buckets of worms and other rancid-smelling bait spilled onto the mans head before he could rise, and his gun fell to the floor.

Kayla was about to march into the back when the sounds of running footsteps made her pause.

Stop right there! someone yelled from behind her.

She flexed her fingers by her sides, ever so slightly glancing over her shoulder. Two men had entered the shop.

Leave, or you die, she threatened flatly.

The old man was trying to stand but kept slipping on the muck underfoot. Annoyed by the whole thing, Kayla lifted her hand, and the clerk rose with it. His legs kicked as he tried to find stable ground, but he rose ever farther. With a jerk of her hand, Kayla sent the mans head into the ceiling, which was rotted in places from storms and the constant moisture.