Page 59 of Wedding Cake Carnage
Pierce bucks and staggers backward, holding his stomach as Lea shouts out a wild cheer.
Beasty roars as he races his way and stomps over Pierce’s chest. “Wasn’t fatal. Try again.”
“What?” I look to Jackie as she places her hands in the air. She’s walking backward, and I can see the need to run in her eyes.
“Lottie!” Noah shouts and I hear what sounds like the stampeding of wild horses headed in this direction.
Noah and Everett and Ivy, too. I can see them in my peripheral vision.
“Let me go,” Jackie pleads. “Lottie, let’s turn Pierce and Steven in together. Nobody has to know our secret. I was trapped. I had no choice. You have no proof I killed Jana. I’ll say it’s their word against mine. Please, forget everything you heard. Do it for Jana. I’m begging you.”
“I will. I will do it for Jana,” I say just as Ivy barks at Jackie to put her hands up and fall to her knees. “She killed her.” I nod to Jackie. “And trust me, I did that for Jana because I was a real friend to her.”
Noah lands hard over Pierce and cuffs him, ignoring the fact he’s already moaning on the ground.
“Jackie killed Jana. Steven and Pierce were in on it,” I pant as Everett collapses his arms around me. He takes the gun from my shaky hands and lands a kiss on the top of my head.
“It’s over.” Everett warms me with his body as Beasty makes his way toward us.
“Good work,” he thunders it out like a threat. It’s clear he’s still as worked up as I am.
Lea’s eyes sparkle a strange shade of crimson, and it’s unnerving. “I want another murder in Honey Hollow. I want another killer to catch, and I want it now!”
Greer and Winslow appear from nowhere, and Greer takes up the little girl’s hand.
“Is that any way to talk, young lady?” Greer is quick to scold her. “We do not wish homicides on the good people of Honey Hollow. I’m afraid you’ll have to go to your room and think about that for a while.”
“Do I have to?” Lea whines to Winslow.
“I think it’s best,” he says with a wink. “I’ll join you and we’ll play knock the books off the shelf.”
“That is my very favorite game.”
They wave my way as the three of them dissipate to nothing.
I meet up with Everett’s sky-blue eyes. “And now that’s what you call a family.”
Beasty roars as he begins to dissipate as well.
“No, no.” I traipse over, my hand still holding tight to Everett. “I’m not ready for you to go, Beasty.” I run my hand over his fur, and it feels like a fine silk rug from the Orient. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to you.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m going willingly. I need to comfort my sweet Jana. I’ll be back someday. Perhaps sooner than later.” His head rolls in a soft circle. “Your powers are growing. I’m thankful for all you’ve allowed. Be well.” A magnificent spray of light infiltrates the very spot he was standing in, and everyone in the vicinity winces.
Ivy blinks back. “That’s quite a sunset.”
“Yes,” I whisper with a touch of grief. “I suppose we should get back to the wedding.”
Ivy chuckles. “We’ll need you downtown for questioning, Lemon. Sorry, but that’s procedure.”
“Procedure can wait,” Noah says, lifting Pierce to his feet. “Enjoy your family, Lottie. You deserve it.”
Everett and I head back toward the Evergreen Manor, and I intend to enjoy every blissful moment.
I wrap my arms around him as we make the lazy trek back.
“I love you so much, Lemon.” He drops a kiss to my cheek. “I need you to know that.”
It sounds far darker than it ever does romantic, and just as I’m about to look into his gorgeous eyes and question him, a heavy thud emits to our left.