Bayou Woman

New Orleans has a special attraction for Jake O'Bryan. At seventeen, his first year in college, he's been fascinated with the history and ambiance of 'The Big Easy.' It was his intense interest in this unique, unchanging culture that drew him into an obsessive relationship with the mystical bayous, and it's traditional people. However, his first encounter with one of the pure blood, Creole, had nearly gotten him killed, in a back alley behind Bourbon Street. -Jolee- Jake had heard the legend, Voodoo, and wishful thinking, mixed with pure superstition..most likely. Even so, Creole and Cajun alike awaited the child's future as Queen of the Creoles. Therein lay Pierre LeBlanc's greed. Already one of Louisiana's king-pin mobsters, it isn't enough. With Jolee as his wife, he would gain more power and total control over the other crime lords until the entire state would fear and respect his demands. But, he has to wait until Jolee grows into adulthood, first. For Jake, it had been an introduction into the dark side of Bayou life and one he never forgot.
After college, he was recruited by the War Commission to participate in a covert operation in Afghanistan. After his tour ends, he returns to the Louisiana Gulf coast. He's hardened and bitter by the senseless slaughter of the desert, throw-away children. Referred as 'sand fleas', the innocents are deemed collateral damage by both governments. To his family's relief, he uses his trust fund to start up his off-shore drilling operation and moves his life forward. Unknown to him, his destiny has already set. Tonight, he's in route to Bluebonnet, Texas for a long overdue, check-in with his parents. He has a couple hour wait time and drops by to relax and beg a meal at his old, all-time hangout, Papa Chas' Blues Bar. Too soon, he feels a change in the atmosphere. He waits for it, isn't even shocked when Pierre LeBlanc, the top man on his ten-year-old 'kill' list parades right past him with his four shotgun-swinging thugs in tow. What did surprise him was the young, red-haired woman trailing in the thug's wake. She'd only been ten years old when he'd last seen her in their haphazard, alley run-in. Through the years he'd heard the whispered rumors, that LeBlanc had kept his little slave caged up with a wolf until she'd become wild as the beast she represented to her people. There was even a tale that she'd knifed a couple of LeBlanc's henchmen, herself. He's relieved that she has survived long enough to grow up.. but she's not a skinny little kid, anymore. She's exotic, beautiful and quite possibly the most dangerous woman he'll ever see, since- it's obvious she still belongs to LeBlanc. Even as he watches, Jolee manages to escape into the crowd and out the side door. With his adrenalin flowing, he accepts a ride from Papa Chas to his awaiting jet. When he climbs on board, he discovers the door lock shows signs of tampering. Suspecting another illicit shipment of contraband has been stashed in his plane, he's no less than amazed to find he has a stow away, Jolee. Whether by Providence or by chance, she's now in his possession and he vows to keep her, even if he has to tame her, himself.